Are roadside sobriety checkpoints, lower per se BAC limits and tighter ignition interlock enforcement guidelines on the horizon? Quite possibly. This is so because the Washington Traffic Safety Commission is floating the idea to further curb DUI’s in the state. The real question, however, is are the changes feasible or even legal. Some folks think not. Sobriety check points, it is argued, can reduce alcohol related accidents and save lives. However, under current Washington case law, it has been made clear that check points are unconstitutional; our state’s supreme court indicated in 1988 that check points violate Article 1, Section 7 of our state constitution. It is also argued that reducing the per se limit may negatively impact what is otherwise deemed reasonable consumption. Penalizing moderate social drinking would seem to be a bit over the top and could certainly impact established businesses that serve alcoholic beverages. That wouldn’t be good for the economy, one would think. Finally, a more intensified ignition interlock enforcement plan doesn’t seem realistically feasible. The government is already having issues with the program it currently has in place. The ignition interlock providers, according to some, seem to be gaming the system and are essentially using it to make money more than anything else. It has been claimed that there is even a possible class action lawsuit about the industries’ business practices. There is little doubt, like years past, that there will be some tweaks to Washington’s DUI laws. To what degree these tweaks change Washington’s DUI laws remains to be seen.
If you or a loved one is in a bind as a result of a DUI, immediately contact a Seattle DUI Attorney. A DUI lawyer is not going to judge you and understands that everyone makes mistakes. Hiring a Seattle DUI Lawyer to help can – at a minimum – reduce penalties and can help direct people on how to best deal with their criminal charge, and many times even get them dismissed. So, it should go without saying that someone cited for a DUI misdemeanor or felony should hire a qualified Seattle DUI Lawyer as soon as possible. DUI charges can cause havoc on a person’s personal and professional life. Anyone charged with a DUI in Washington State should immediately seek the assistance of a seasoned Seattle DUI Lawyer. SQ Attorneys can be reached at (425) 359-3791 and/or (206) 441-0900.
