When you get arrested for a DUI in the State of Washington, your driver’s license will be automatically suspended upon failing or refusing a breath or blood chemical test. In order to contest the license suspension, you must request an administrative hearing with the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL).
Updated Procedures in 2019
But starting in January 2019, DUI offenders are required to make an administrative hearing request no later than seven days from the date of the DUI arrest. In the past, offenders had 20 days to request such a hearing. An administrative hearing request is done on the day the request is either received by the DOL if sent electronically) or postmarked if mailed.
If you lose the administrative hearing or you fail to make a request (whichever comes first), your driver’s license will be suspended within 30 days of the arrest. Keep in mind, the 30-day timeframe excludes weekends and legal holidays.
The DOL now has five days to provide notice of any hearing date. Previously, the notice was given at least ten days.
When it comes to blood tests, the driver won’t be notified to request an administrative hearing when the arrest occurs. Instead, the notice will be mailed to the driver once the results have returned from the lab and given to the arresting officer by the DOL, which can take months. The deadline to request a hearing after receiving blood test results will seven days from the date the DOL notifies the driver of the pending suspension.
How Our Pacific County Criminal Defense Lawyers Can Help
Losing your driving privileges can make life more difficult. You must rely on public transportation or ridesharing services (i.e. Uber and Lyft) to commute to work, attend classes, make important appointments, and conduct daily activities. Constant tardiness and absences and have negative repercussions such as getting fired from your job or suspended from school.
Our experienced legal team at Guy Glenn Law Firm is dedicated to ensuring you are able to still drive while you’re DUI case is pending. We can guide you through the complexities of the administrative hearing and present a strong case to the DOL officer in order to either regain your driving privileges or obtain a hardship driver’s license so you can operate your vehicle in a limited capacity.
For more information about DUI driver’s license suspension, contact us and schedule a free consultation today.
But starting in January 2019, DUI offenders are required to make an administrative hearing request no later than seven days from the date of the DUI arrest. In the past, offenders had 20 days to request such a hearing. An administrative hearing request is done on the day the request is either received by the DOL if sent electronically) or postmarked if mailed.
If you lose the administrative hearing or you fail to make a request (whichever comes first), your driver’s license will be suspended within 30 days of the arrest. Keep in mind, the 30-day timeframe excludes weekends and legal holidays.
The DOL now has five days to provide notice of any hearing date. Previously, the notice was given at least ten days.
When it comes to blood tests, the driver won’t be notified to request an administrative hearing when the arrest occurs. Instead, the notice will be mailed to the driver once the results have returned from the lab and given to the arresting officer by the DOL, which can take months. The deadline to request a hearing after receiving blood test results will seven days from the date the DOL notifies the driver of the pending suspension.
How Our Pacific County Criminal Defense Lawyers Can Help
Losing your driving privileges can make life more difficult. You must rely on public transportation or ridesharing services (i.e. Uber and Lyft) to commute to work, attend classes, make important appointments, and conduct daily activities. Constant tardiness and absences and have negative repercussions such as getting fired from your job or suspended from school.
Our experienced legal team at Guy Glenn Law Firm is dedicated to ensuring you are able to still drive while you’re DUI case is pending. We can guide you through the complexities of the administrative hearing and present a strong case to the DOL officer in order to either regain your driving privileges or obtain a hardship driver’s license so you can operate your vehicle in a limited capacity.
For more information about DUI driver’s license suspension, contact us and schedule a free consultation today.