Two off-duty Seattle police officers were arrested on suspicion of DUI and may have also been involved in a hit-and-run.

The incident happened early Monday morning in the Sodo District. Someone reported a collision and said that a woman was driving a Nissan Altima with significant front-end damage, reports The Seattle Times.

When the authorities arrived, the woman driver allegedly stopped the car in the middle of the road, and had allegedly switched places with her male passenger. Responding officers found the car simply sitting in the middle of the road with the male passenger in control of the vehicle. The two occupants of the car were recognized as off-duty cops by the responding officers. So what penalties do these off-duty cops face?

The female off-duty copy was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence. If this was her first offense, she would ordinarily have faced a minimum one-day jail sentence and $350 fine. However, the unidentified cop allegedly tested for a blood alcohol level of 0.234 percent and 0.247 percent, or roughly three times the legal driving limit.  As a result, she faces enhanced penalties for driving with an alcohol level above 0.15 with a minimum two-day jail sentence if convicted.  (RCW 46.61.5055).

The male off-duty cop tested for a blood alcohol level of 0.161 and 0.149 percent, or roughly double the legal limit. He was arrested on suspicion of being in physical control of a vehicle while under the influence (RCW 46.61.504). Even though he wasn't driving, he faces the same penalties as if he had been operating the vehicle- just by being behind the wheel while the car was running.

To compound these officers' problems, traffic investigators are still looking into a possible hit-and-run and whether the officers struck a light pole or other object. In addition, the female officer was reportedly extremely combative with the arresting officers.

Driving under the influence is a serious charge in Washington. Someone convicted of the offense faces minimum jail terms, fines, license suspensions, and other penalties.   If you have been charged with DUI in the Seattle area, it is important that you work with an experienced attorney to defend your rights. Call the Seattle DUI attorneys at Wolff Defense today to discuss your case. Our Washington state DUI attorneys have years of experience successfully fighting DUI cases, and we are fully committed to our clients. Call us today at 425-284-2000.