Washington DUI: First Offense

Last reviewed: 2026-07-17

A first DUI in Washington is generally classified as a gross misdemeanor.

• Jail: 24 consecutive hours (<0.15) / 48 hours (0.15+ or refusal) – 364 days; mandatory min 24–48 hrs; convertible to 15 days electronic home monitoring (<0.15) or 30 days EHM / 120 days 24-7 sobriety program (0.15+)
• Fine: $350–$5,000 (minimum ≈$350–500 (<0.15) / ≈$500–1,000 (0.15+), plus substantial assessments)
• License suspension: 90 days (<0.15) – 1 year (0.15+); 2 years for refusal; hardship: ignition interlock license (IIL) available immediately — no hard-suspension wait
• Ignition interlock: Required — IID required for all DUI convictions, minimum 1 year.
• Alternative disposition: Deferred prosecution (RCW 10.05): once per lifetime, 5-year program (2 years treatment + interlock), charge dismissed after — a major WA-specific option.
• 24/7 sobriety program is a WA fixture; alcohol assessment mandatory.

Lookback period: 7 years. 7-year window for the misdemeanor penalty grid; felony DUI at 3 priors within 10 years (15 years for offenses on/after Jan 1, 2026 — recent change, verify at page QC).