Washington D.C. DUI Penalties
Implied Consent Laws
Laws involve drivers supposed of driving under the influence to give in to breath, blood, or urine testing for alcohol content are known as "implied consent laws." Denial carries penalties that can include compulsory suspension of a driving license for up to a year.
Back To Top
Blood-Alcohol Concentration
In Washington D.C., any driver with a blood-alcohol concentration - or BAC - above .08 percent is considered “per se intoxicated” under the law. Under this statute, this proof is all that is necessary for a driver to be convicted of Driving Under the Influence (DUI) or Driving While Intoxicated (DWI).
Back To Top
Zero Tolerance Blood-Alcohol Concentration
In all states, “zero tolerance laws” centre on drivers not of legal drinking age. In Washington D.C., persons under the age of 21 operating a car with a .02 percent blood-alcohol level or higher than are subject to DUI penalties.
Back To Top
Enhanced Penalty Blood-Alcohol Concentration
In some states there is a more difficult punishment for those convicted of DUI with a principally high blood-alcohol content at the instant of arrest; this is typically .15 to .20 percent above the legal limit. Enhanced penalty laws are not utilized in Washington D.C..
Back To Top
Administrative License Suspension/Revocation Penalties
These penalties are minimum mandatory penalties forced on drivers with a blood-alcohol concentration above Washington D.C.’s maximum acceptable level of .08 percent or drivers subject to the implied consent laws (see above) for declining to submit to breath, blood, or urine testing for blood-alcohol content.
Penalties involve suspension or revocation (meaning short-lived or permanent removal) of the driver’s license by the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles). In Washington D.C., for the primary DUI offense the mandatory suspension is 90 days; for the second offense, one year; for the third offense, three years.
Back To Top
Vehicle Confiscation
The punishment of vehicle confiscation for DUI conviction – either undyingly or temporarily - is a chance in some states, ordinarily for repeat offenders. This is not a penalty option in Washington D.C..
Back To Top
Ignition Interlock
An ignition interlock device attaches to the convicted DUI offender’s vehicle and requires the driver to complete a breath-test before the vehicle will start. While this penalty for DUI conviction is a chance in some states, this is not an option in Washington D.C..
Back To Top
Mandatory Alcohol Education and Assessment/Treatment
Alcohol teaching and prevention program, treatment for alcohol abuse, and appraisal of a person for possible alcohol or drug dependence can be required for DUI offenders in Washington D.C.. These steps are often suggested instead of serving a sentence of incarceration or paying fines.
Back To Top
