Different types of plea deals in a Washington State DUI case

Lately I have found it helpful to inform potential clients of the different options they may have in their DUI case. Usually its helpful when meeting with a DUI Attorney to have an understanding and what may happen. This kind of gives them an idea of the potential consequences they face, as well as the different types of plea deals that can be attained through negotiation. The order goes from worst to best.

DUI charge (first offense)
1 or 2 days in jail depending on breath/blood test or 15-30 days of home detention
$866 to $1121 fine depending on test
90 day to 2 year license suspension
5 years probation
Alcohol/Drug evaluation
ADIS class
VIP class
1 year Ignition Interlock requirement

Reckless Driving
Usually 0 days jail
Usually $250 fine
30 day license suspension
No ignition interlock requirement
Alcohol/Drug evaluation
ADIS class
VIP class
2 years stay out of trouble

Reckless Endangerment
Usually 0 days in jail
Usually $250 fine
No license suspension
No Ignition Interlock Requirement
Alcohol/Drug evaluation
ADIS class
VIP class
2 years stay out of trouble

Negligent Driving 1
Usually 0 days in jail
Usually $250 fine
No license suspension
No Ignition Interlock requirement
Alcohol/Drug evaluation
ADIS class
VIP class
2 years stay out of trouble

Negligent Driving 2
This is a traffic infraction
Usually $250 fine

There are a couple of things to keep in mind. Unless the DUI charge gets reduced to the traffic ticket or dismissed then it will always count as a prior DUI if you ever get charged with another one. This would increase the penalties for the new DUI charge.

Remember if you have been charged with a DUI the goal should always be to try and get the charge dismissed. However if that cannot happen then there is no reason the original charge cannot be reduced. Sometimes it takes a lot of hard work, research, and lots of investigation, but in the end there is always a legal issue to raise with the Prosecution when negotiation the case.