Can I be arrested for a DWI if I’m not drinking?
Yes, you can be arrested for a DWI in Washington even if you’re not drinking. Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol is a serious crime in Washington. Even if a person has not consumed any alcohol, they can still be arrested and charged with a DWI. Washington law considers a person to be driving under the influence (DUI) if their ability to drive is impaired due to ingesting drugs, alcohol, or any combination of the two. Even if there is no alcohol present in the system, the driver can still be arrested if the presence of drugs is detected. To determine a person’s ability to drive, police officers in Washington look for signs of impairment such as slurred speech, poor motor skills, coordinated, impaired judgement, or aggressive behavior. If a driver is exhibiting any of these signs, they can be arrested and charged with a DWI. To avoid being arrested for a DWI, you should always be aware of how much alcohol or drugs you have consumed. If you believe that your driving ability is impaired in any way, do not get behind the wheel. Washington law considers driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol to be a serious crime and it can have long lasting impacts on an individual’s life, so it is important to be aware of the consequences.
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