Most folks accused of DUI in Spokane have a 7-day deadline to try to save their driver license through a Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) case. This DOL case is separate from court. You can win the DOL case, but still lose in the courtroom and vice versa. The 7-day deadline comes fast, so it’s usually best to request the hearing by mail right away.
Missing the DOL deadline all but guarantees you’ll have a minimum 90-day license suspension. This loss of license could be up to two years. Additionally, DOL requires at least three years of SR-22 insurance costs and possibly the ignition interlock device. These consequences can be independent from any penalties a judge might impose in the courtroom.
There are some limited circumstances, like some blood draw DUI’s, where the 7-day deadline does not apply. However, these cases are relatively rare so the best plan is to simply request a DOL hearing within a day or two of your arrest. This preserves your ability to challenge the loss of license.
Timing differences between court hearings and the DOL case can cause some confusion. Typically, there is a DUI First Appearance court hearing the next business day after a DUI arrest. Sometimes, however, this hearing is delayed. This delay often leads to putting off any action on the DOL case and missing the deadline. You should always contact a DUI attorney right away – even over the weekend. An experienced attorney can help you build a plan to protect your rights both in court and DOL.
The criminal defense attorneys at Cooney Law Offices can explain whether this 7-day deadline applies to your case. They will develop a plan to protect your rights and guide you through both the court and DOL processes. Contact us today and let us Fight for You!