Washington DUI Statutes
Court Links
Driving Under the Influence [RCW 46.61.502]
(1) A person is guilty of driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug if the person drives a vehicle within this state:
(a) And the person has, within two hours after driving, an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or higher as shown by analysis of the person's breath or blood made under RCW 46.61.506; or
(b) While the person is under the influence of or affected by intoxicating liquor or any drug; or
(c) While the person is under the combined influence of or affected by intoxicating liquor and any drug.
(2) The fact that a person charged with a violation of this section is or has been entitled to use a drug under the laws of this state shall not constitute a defense against a charge of violating this section.
(3) It is an affirmative defense to a violation of subsection (1)(a) of this section which the defendant must prove by a preponderance of the evidence that the defendant consumed a sufficient quantity of alcohol after the time of driving and before the administration of an analysis of the person's breath or blood to cause the defendant's alcohol concentration to be 0.08 or more within two hours after driving. The court shall not admit evidence of this defense unless the defendant notifies the prosecution prior to the omnibus or pretrial hearing in the case of the defendant's intent to assert the affirmative defense.
(4) Analyses of blood or breath samples obtained more than two hours after the alleged driving may be used as evidence that within two hours of the alleged driving, a person had an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more in violation of subsection (1)(a) of this section, and in any case in which the analysis shows an alcohol concentration above 0.00 may be used as evidence that a person was under the influence of or affected by intoxicating liquor or any drug in violation of subsection (1)(b) or (c) of this section.
(5) A violation of this section is a gross misdemeanor.
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Physical Control of Vehicle Under the Influence [RCW 46.61.504]
(1) A person is guilty of being in actual physical control of a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug if the person has actual physical control of a vehicle within this state:
(a) And the person has, within two hours after being in actual physical control of the vehicle, an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or higher as shown by analysis of the person's breath or blood made under RCW 46.61.506; or
(b) While the person is under the influence of or affected by intoxicating liquor or any drug; or
(c) While the person is under the combined influence of or affected by intoxicating liquor and any drug.
(2) The fact that a person charged with a violation of this section is or has been entitled to use a drug under the laws of this state does not constitute a defense against any charge of violating this section. No person may be convicted under this section if, prior to being pursued by a law enforcement officer, the person has moved the vehicle safely off the roadway.
(3) It is an affirmative defense to a violation of subsection (1)(a) of this section which the defendant must prove by a preponderance of the evidence that the defendant consumed a sufficient quantity of alcohol after the time of being in actual physical control of the vehicle and before the administration of an analysis of the person's breath or blood to cause the defendant's alcohol concentration to be 0.08 or more within two hours after being in such control. The court shall not admit evidence of this defense unless the defendant notifies the prosecution prior to the omnibus or pretrial hearing in the case of the defendant's intent to assert the affirmative defense.
(4) Analyses of blood or breath samples obtained more than two hours after the alleged being in actual physical control of a vehicle may be used as evidence that within two hours of the alleged being in such control, a person had an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more in violation of subsection (1)(a) of this section, and in any case in which the analysis shows an alcohol concentration above 0.00 may be used as evidence that a person was under the influence of or affected by intoxicating liquor or any drug in violation of subsection (1)(b) or (c) of this section.
(5) A violation of this section is a gross misdemeanor.
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Driving Under Twenty-one Consuming Alcohol [RCW 46.61.503]
(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, a person is guilty of driving or being in physical control of a motor vehicle after consuming alcohol if the person operates or is in physical control of a motor vehicle within this state and the person:
(a) Is under the age of twenty-one;
(b) Has, within two hours after operating or being in physical control of the motor vehicle, an alcohol concentration of at least 0.02 but less than the concentration specified in RCW 46.61.502, as shown by analysis of the person's breath or blood made under RCW 46.61.506.
(2) It is an affirmative defense to a violation of subsection (1) of this section which the defendant must prove by a preponderance of the evidence that the defendant consumed a sufficient quantity of alcohol after the time of driving or being in physical control and before the administration of an analysis of the person's breath or blood to cause the defendant's alcohol concentration to be in violation of subsection (1) of this section within two hours after driving or being in physical control. The court shall not admit evidence of this defense unless the defendant notifies the prosecution prior to the earlier of: (a) Seven days prior to trial; or (b) the omnibus or pretrial hearing in the case of the defendant's intent to assert the affirmative defense.
(3) Analyses of blood or breath samples obtained more than two hours after the alleged driving or being in physical control may be used as evidence that within two hours of the alleged driving or being in physical control, a person had an alcohol concentration in violation of subsection (1) of this section.
(4) A violation of this section is a misdemeanor.
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Drivers Convicted of Alcohol Offenses [RCW 46.20.720]
(1) The court may order that after a period of suspension, revocation, or denial of driving privileges, and for up to as long as the court has jurisdiction, any person convicted of any offense involving the use, consumption, or possession of alcohol while operating a motor vehicle may drive only a motor vehicle equipped with a functioning ignition interlock. The court shall establish a specific calibration setting at which the interlock will prevent the vehicle from being started. The court shall also establish the period of time for which interlock use will be required.
(2) The department shall require that, after any applicable period of suspension, revocation, or denial of driving privileges, a person may drive only a motor vehicle equipped with a functioning ignition interlock device if the person is convicted of an alcohol-related violation of RCW 46.61.502 or 46.61.504 or an equivalent local ordinance.
The department may waive the requirement for the use of such a device if it concludes that such devices are not reasonably available in the local area. The device is not necessary on vehicles owned by a person's employer and driven as a requirement of employment during working hours.
The ignition interlock device shall be calibrated to prevent the motor vehicle from being started when the breath sample provided has an alcohol concentration of 0.025 or more. The period of time of the restriction will be as follows:
(a) For a person who has not previously been restricted under this section, a period of one year;
(b) For a person who has previously been restricted under (a) of this subsection, a period of five years;
(c) For a person who has previously been restricted under (b) of this subsection, a period of ten years.
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Occupational Restricted Licenses [RCW 46.20.391]
(1)(a) Any person licensed under this chapter who is convicted of an offense relating to motor vehicles for which suspension or revocation of the driver's license is mandatory, other than vehicular homicide or vehicular assault, or who has had his or her license suspended, revoked, or denied under RCW 46.20.3101, may submit to the department an application for a temporary restricted driver's license. The department, upon receipt of the prescribed fee and upon determining that the petitioner is eligible to receive the license, may issue a temporary restricted driver's license and may set definite restrictions as provided in RCW 46.20.394. No person may petition for, and the department shall not issue, a temporary restricted driver's license that is effective during the first thirty days of any suspension or revocation imposed for a violation of RCW 46.61.502 or 46.61.504 or, for a suspension, revocation, or denial imposed under RCW 46.20.3101, during the required minimum portion of the periods of suspension, revocation, or denial established under (c) of this subsection.
(b) An applicant under this subsection whose driver's license is suspended or revoked for an alcohol-related offense shall provide proof to the satisfaction of the department that a functioning ignition interlock device has been installed on a vehicle owned or operated by the person.
(i) The department shall require the person to maintain such a device on a vehicle owned or operated by the person and shall restrict the person to operating only vehicles equipped with such a device, for the remainder of the period of suspension, revocation, or denial.
(ii) Subject to any periodic renewal requirements established by the department pursuant to this section and subject to any applicable compliance requirements under this chapter or other law, a temporary restricted driver's license granted after a suspension or revocation under RCW 46.61.5055 or 46.20.3101 extends through the remaining portion of any concurrent or consecutive suspension or revocation that may be imposed as the result of administrative action and criminal conviction arising out of the same incident.
(iii) The time period during which the person is licensed under this section shall apply on a day-for-day basis toward satisfying the period of time the ignition interlock device restriction is required under RCW 46.20.720 (1) and (2) (a), (b), and (c).
(c) The department shall provide by rule the minimum portions of the periods of suspension, revocation, or denial set forth in RCW 46.20.3101 after which a person may apply for a temporary restricted driver's license under this section. In establishing the minimum portions of the periods of suspension, revocation, or denial, the department shall consider the requirements of federal law regarding state eligibility for grants or other funding, and shall establish such periods so as to ensure that the state will maintain its eligibility, or establish eligibility, to obtain incentive grants or any other federal funding.
(2)(a) A person licensed under this chapter whose driver's license is suspended administratively due to failure to appear or pay a traffic ticket under RCW 46.20.289; a violation of the financial responsibility laws under chapter 46.29 RCW; or for multiple violations within a specified period of time under RCW 46.20.291, may apply to the department for an occupational driver's license.
(b) If the suspension is for failure to respond, pay, or comply with a notice of traffic infraction or conviction, the applicant must enter into a payment plan with the court.
(c) An occupational driver's license issued to an applicant described in (a) of this subsection shall be valid for the period of the suspension or revocation.
(3) An applicant for an occupational or temporary restricted driver's license who qualifies under subsection (1) or (2) of this section is eligible to receive such license only if:
(a) Within seven years immediately preceding the date of the offense that gave rise to the present conviction or incident, the applicant has not committed vehicular homicide under RCW 46.61.520 or vehicular assault under RCW 46.61.522; and
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(b) The applicant demonstrates that it is necessary for him or her to operate a motor vehicle because he or she:
(i) Is engaged in an occupation or trade that makes it essential that he or she operate a motor vehicle;
(ii) Is undergoing continuing health care or providing continuing care to another who is dependent upon the applicant;
(iii) Is enrolled in an educational institution and pursuing a course of study leading to a diploma, degree, or other certification of successful educational completion;
(iv) Is undergoing substance abuse treatment or is participating in meetings of a twelve-step group such as Alcoholics Anonymous that requires the petitioner to drive to or from the treatment or meetings;
(v) Is fulfilling court-ordered community service responsibilities;
(vi) Is in a program that assists persons who are enrolled in a WorkFirst program pursuant to chapter 74.08A RCW to become gainfully employed and the program requires a driver's license;
(vii) Is in an apprenticeship, on-the-job training, or welfare-to-work program; or
(viii) Presents evidence that he or she has applied for a position in an apprenticeship or on-the-job training program for which a driver's license is required to begin the program, provided that a license granted under this provision shall be in effect for no longer than fourteen days; and
(c) The applicant files satisfactory proof of financial responsibility under chapter 46.29 RCW; and
(d) Upon receipt of evidence that a holder of an occupational driver's license granted under this subsection is no longer enrolled in an apprenticeship or on-the-job training program, the director shall give written notice by first class mail to the driver that the occupational driver's license shall be canceled. The effective date of cancellation shall be fifteen days from the date of mailing the notice. If at any time before the cancellation goes into effect the driver submits evidence of continued enrollment in the program, the cancellation shall be stayed. If the cancellation becomes effective, the driver may obtain, at no additional charge, a new occupational driver's license upon submittal of evidence of enrollment in another program that meets the criteria set forth in this subsection; and
(e) The department shall not issue an occupational driver's license under (b)(iv) of this subsection if the applicant is able to receive transit services sufficient to allow for the applicant's participation in the programs referenced under (b)(iv) of this subsection.
(4) A person aggrieved by the decision of the department on the application for an occupational or temporary restricted driver's license may request a hearing as provided by rule of the department.
(5) The director shall cancel an occupational or temporary restricted driver's license upon receipt of notice that the holder thereof has been convicted of operating a motor vehicle in violation of its restrictions, or of a separate offense that under chapter 46.20 RCW would warrant suspension or revocation of a regular driver's license. The cancellation is effective as of the date of the conviction, and continues with the same force and effect as any suspension or revocation under this title.
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King County Court Links
King County District Courts
West Division
- Seattle Courthouse
516 3rd Ave
Seattle, WA 98104-3273
East Division
- Bellevue Courthouse
585 112th Ave SE
Bellevue, WA 98004
- Issaquah Courthouse
5415 220th Ave SE
Issaquah, WA 98029-6839
- Redmond Courthouse
8601 160th Ave NE
Redmond, WA 98052-3548
- Shoreline Courthouse
18050 Meridian Ave N
Shoreline, WA 98133
South Division
- Burien Courthouse
601 SW 149th St
Burien, WA 98166-1935
- Regional Justice Center
401 4th Ave N
Kent, WA 98032-4429
Municipal Courts
- Seattle Municipal Court
600 5th Ave
PO Box 34987
Seattle, WA 98124-4987
- Auburn Municipal Court
340 E Main St, Suite 101
Auburn, WA 98002-5548
- Bothell Municipal Court
10116 NE 183rd St
Bothell, WA 98011-3416
- Clyde Hill Municipal Court
11515 NE 118th St
PO Box 678
Kirkland, WA 98083-0678
- Des Moines Municipal Court
21630 11th Ave S, Suite C
Des Moines, WA 98198-6317
- Federal Way Municipal Court
33325 8th Ave S
PO Box 9717
Federal Way, WA 98063-9717
- Hunts Point Municipal Court
11515 NE 118th St
PO Box 678
Kirkland, WA 98083-0678
- Issaquah Municipal Court
135 E Sunset Way
PO Box 7005
Issaquah, WA 98027
- Kent Municipal Court
1220 Central Ave S
Kent, WA 98032-7426
- Kirkland Municipal Court
11515 NE 118th St
PO Box 678
Kirkland, WA 98083-0678
- Lake Forest Park Municipal Court
17425 Ballinger Way NE
Lake Forest Park, WA 98155-5556
- Medina Municipal Court
11515 NE 118th St
PO Box 678
Kirkland, WA 98083-0678
- Mercer Island Municipal Court
9611 SE 36th St
Mercer Island, WA 98040-3732
- Renton Municipal Court
1055 S Grady Way
Renton, WA 98057-3232
- SeaTac Municipal Court
4800 S 188th St
SeaTac, WA 98188
- Tukwila Municipal Court
6200 Southcenter Blvd
Tukwila, WA 98188-2544
- Yarrow Point Municipal Court
11515 NE 118th St
PO Box 678
Kirkland, WA 98083-0678
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Snohomish County Court Links
Snohomish County District Courts
- Cascade Division
415 E Burke Ave
Arlington, WA 98223-1099
- Everett Division
3000 Rockefeller Ave, MS 508
Everett, WA 98201-4046
- Evergreen Division
14414 179th Ave SE
Monroe, WA 98272-0625
- South Division
20520 68th Ave W
Lynnwood, WA 98036-7406
Municipal Courts
- Arlington Municipal Court
415 E Burke Ave
Arlington, WA 98223-1099
- Edmonds Municipal Court
250 5th Ave N
Edmonds, WA 98020-3146
- Everett Municipal Court
3028 Wetmore Ave
Everett, WA 98201-4018
- Lynnwood Municipal Court
19321 44th Ave W
PO Box 5008
Lynnwood, WA 98036-5008
- Mukilteo Municipal Court
3000 Rockefeller Ave, MS 508
Everett, WA 98201-4046
Pierce County Court Links
Pierce County District Court
- Criminal Division
930 Tacoma Ave S, Room 601
Tacoma, WA 98402-2115
Municipal Courts
- Fife Municipal Court
3737 Pacific Highway East
Fife, WA 98424
- Gig Harbor Municipal Court
3510 Grandview St
Gig Harbor, WA 98335-1214
- Lakewood Municipal Court
6000 Main St SW
Lakewood, WA 98499-5027
- Puyallup Municipal Court
929 E Main, Suite 120
Puyallup, WA 98372-3116
- Tacoma Municipal Court
930 Tacoma Ave S, Room 841
Tacoma, WA 98402-2181
Our DUI attorneys regularly appear throughout King County for DUI cases, including all District Courts (Downtown Seattle, Shoreline, Bellevue, Burien, Kent, Redmond, and Issaquah). Our DUI attorneys also represent clients in all King County municipal courts, including Seattle, Bellevue, Carnation, Duvall, Kenmore, North Bend, Redmond, Sammamish, Shoreline, Skykomish, Snoqualmie, Woodinville, Burien, Des Moines, Kirkland, Auburn, Bothell, Clyde Hill, Federal Way, Hunts Point, Issaquah, Kent, Lake Forest Park, Mercer Island, Medina, Hunts Point, Newcastle, Renton, SeaTac, Tukwilla, and Yarrow Point.
Now our Seattle DUI attorneys are also serving Pierce and Snohomish counties, including municipal courts in Tacoma, Fife, Gig Harbor, Puyallup, Edmonds, Everett, Monroe, Lynnwood, Arlington, Mukilteo, Marysville, and Mill Creek.
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