A washout period refers to the statute of limitations on a DUI conviction. Each state has different washout periods, meaning if you are convicted of a DUI, it may not affect your current conviction because it is past a certain period of time. If you are concerned about your DUI history, you should speak with a skilled DUI lawyer immediately. You can defend yourself if you have been arrested for DUI again.
When you are arrested for DUI, you will face a variety of possible punishments, which can include time in jail, huge fines, attendance at mandatory alcohol education classes, having an ignition interlock device being ordered into your car, your car insurance going up, and more. These penalties are tough for a first DUI and they are tougher for a 2nd, 3rd, and 4th DUI. So, how do you know how many DUIs will show? You will calculate that based on the date of your last DUI. As mentioned, each state’s laws are different. Contact an experienced DUI lawyer to help you fight your charges so you don’t have to face such serious punishments.
There are many factors that can affect the type of punishment handed out to someone with a DUI conviction. These sentence enhancements can include speeding above certain levels, driving drunk while in a school zone, DUI with minors in the car, having an alcohol level above .15 or .20%, refusing to take the chemical test when asked by a police officer, professional license issues, and more.
WARNING! If you are a repeat offender arrested for DUI, you will pay the price if you end up with a DUI conviction. If you have been convicted for a second, third-, or fourth offense within a certain specified period of time, the punishment exposure can go up dramatically. In some states, a third- or fourth-time DUI will be considered a felony, with a possible state prison sentence. This is why it is so important to speak with a skilled DUI lawyer near you right away if you want to save yourself from extremely serious punishments.
Remember, washout periods (also known as “look-back” periods) vary from state to state. In California, the washout period is ten years, calculated from offense date to offense date. This means that if you had a DUI up to 10 years ago, you may be facing DUI penalties for a second DUI. Ten years ago can seem like a lifetime, but your decisions from a decade ago can still haunt you. Some states are easier on you – your washout period may expire after only five years. To find out more about the washout period laws in your home state, contact a DUI lawyer today.
The point of the washout period in a DUI, DWI, or drunk driving case is that after some period of time, the prior DUI conviction “drops off,” and is so stale it can no longer be used to add to the punishment for a current DUI offense. Since washout periods vary some much from state to state (some states have lifetime look-back periods), it is critical that you get in touch with a skilled DUI lawyer who can explain your specific case to you.
