Under Washington law, a commercial DUI is when a commercial driver’s license (CDL) holder operates a commercial vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.04 or higher. A commercial DUI is a serious crime that could lead to a life-long suspension of a person’s CDL. Please contact a skilled DUI attorney now if you are facing any type of DUI charge.
How Does Washington Law Define “Commercial DUI”?
In Washington state, CDL holder can be charged with a commercial DUI if they operate a commercial vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or with a BAC of 0.04 or higher. A CDL holder can also be charged with a DUI if they operate a non-commercial vehicle while under the influence.
Note that for non-commercial vehicle drivers, the DUI limit is a BAC of 0.08.
What are the Penalties?
Prosecutors typically charge a commercial DUI as a misdemeanor (as opposed to a felony). Depending on the facts of the case, the penalties may include:
- Jail time,
- Fines,
- Disqualification of the offender’s CDL for one year to life, and
- A requirement for the offender to once again pass the CDL knowledge and skills tests.
Can a Defendant Raise a Legal Defense?
Yes. You have the right to challenge a commercial DUI charge with a legal defense. A common defense is for a driver to show that they were not under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of their arrest. You can also challenge a charge by showing that the police stopped you without probable cause.
Note as well that your criminal defense attorney can try to negotiate a plea bargain to help ensure that you keep your CDL.
Contact Black & Askerov for Help
While a defendant can raise a legal defense to challenge a commercial DUI charge, it will take a skilled criminal defense attorney to raise the best defense. The experienced criminal defense attorneys at Black & Askerov have over 30 years of combined experience defending clients on various DUI charges. Our Seattle criminal defense lawyers also have the skill and commitment that makes all the difference in these cases. Contact us now to get the legal help you deserve!
* Main image at top by freepik