Milios Defense

Seattle DUI & Criminal Defense Attorneys

Open 24/7 – Call or Text
206-745-2371
Email Us

  • About
    • About Us
    • Our Attorneys
      • Tim Milios
    • Free Consultations
    • Legal Fees
    • Domestic Violence Defense
  • Process
    • Jurisdictions
    • Arrest & Processing
    • Arraignment
    • Pretrial Hearing
    • Motions & Evidentiary Hearings
    • Trial
    • Review Hearings
    • Potential Outcomes
      • Record Expungement
      • Quashing Warrants
    • Resources
      • BAC Calculator
      • Glossary
      • Industry Partners
      • Legal Resources
      • WA Court Info
      • WA DOL Info
    • DUI Self Help Guide
      • Alcohol Treatment Evaluations
    • FAQs
  • Penalties
    • DUI Sentencing Grid
      • First Offense DUI
      • Second Offense DUI
      • Third Offense DUI
    • Jail
    • Work Release
    • Fines
    • License Suspension
    • Vehicle Forfeiture
    • Alcohol/Drug Treatment
    • Probation
    • Ignition Interlock
    • Aggravating Sentencing Factors
    • Traveling to Canada
    • Moving to Another State
    • Employment Consequences
    • Immigration Consequences
  • Laws
    • WA State DUI Laws
    • Refusing Breathalyzers
    • Marijuana/Drug DUI
    • Minor DUI
    • Boating DUI
    • Physical Control Laws
    • Other Criminal Traffic Offenses
      • Seattle Reckless Driving Attorney
      • Seattle Reckless Endangerment Attorney
      • Negligent Driving: First Degree (Neg 1)
      • Driving on a Suspended License
      • Seattle Hit and Run Attorney
      • Seattle Vehicular Assault Attorney
      • Seattle Felony DUI Attorney
      • Vehicular Homicide
    • Ignition Interlock Laws
    • Deferred Prosecution
      • Can You Defer Prosecution for a DUI in Washington?
  • DOL
    • DOL Hearing Procedure
    • DOL Hearing Rules
    • License Suspension
    • CDL & DUI
    • SR-22 Insurance
    • Habitual Traffic Offender (HTO)
  • Blog
  • Contact

Proposed Bill Would Make Fourth Washington DUI a Felony

January 23, 2015 by Tim Milios

Will Washington state make a fourth DUI in ten years a felony? Washington law makers are again considering legislation that would further toughen what are arguably already the nation’s strictest DUI laws by doing just that. If such a bill were to be presented, it would mark the third time in three years that such an attempt has been made.  Currently, it takes five DUI “convictions” in ten years for an offense to be considered a felony. A conviction can be an actual conviction for DUI, a conviction for a lesser offense that began as a DUI such as Reckless Driving or Negligent Driving, as well as successful completion of what is known as a Deferred Prosecution.

Previously, similar sponsored bills had not passed based primarily on the cost that such a provision would pass on to Washington tax payers.  The cost of building the extra prison alone would run into the millions.  As such, a cost/benefit analysis needs to be performed. Realistically, someone convicted of a 4th offense within 10 years will likely get a year in jail.  Making such an offense a felony would only add a small amount of incarceration but do so at a tremendous cost. Is it worth the extra expenditure?  It seems likely that if this legislation is continuously proposed it will eventually pass.  That is the reality of DUI legislation.  No legislator wants to be tagged as “soft on DUI” come election time.  Hopefully, as in the past two years, law makers will recognize that more prisons will be neither efficacious nor effective.

Categories: Uncategorized

« DUI With Child in Car? Preparing for CPS Referral in Washington DUI Cases
Mandatory Washington DUI Probation Violation Penalties »

Recent Posts

  • Many Washington Courts Allowing Zoom Video Hearings During Covid-19 Pandemic June 26, 2020
  • Seattle Municipal Court to Return from Covid-19 Closure, Re-Opening in Phases June 15, 2020
  • Inslee Waives DUI Statute of Limitations During Covid-19 Closure April 15, 2020
  • Alcohol Treatment During COVID-19 State of Emergency March 24, 2020
  • Supreme Court Strikes Down Hailey’s Law as Unconstitutional October 17, 2019

Our Firm

Attorneys
Jurisdictions
Initial Office Consultations
Fees
Contact Us

Resources

Legal Resources
Washington Courts
Department of Licensing
Client Resources

FAQs

The DUI Stop and Arrest
DOL Questions
DUI Penalties
DUI Court Questions

Seattle DUI Attorneys and Lawyers Serving Washington State | P: 206-745-2371 | 1325 Fourth Avenue #170, Seattle, WA 98101
Use of this legal website constitutes acceptance of the Milios Defense Terms of Service. The material on this site is for informational purposes only regarding DUI legal issues, and is not a substitute for legal advice provided by an attorney or lawyer and does not establish an attorney-client relationship. © 2025 Milios Defense, LLP. We want to be your Seattle DUI Attorney. All rights reserved.