Hailey’s Law, approved by the Washington State Legislature earlier this year, goes into effect this Friday, July 22, 2011. The law places a mandatory 12-hour impound requirement on any vehicle driven by a person arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) in Washington State. Effectively, this means that a vehicle driven by a DUI suspect will be towed from the scene of a DUI arrest and then held under impound for a minimum of 12 hours before it can be released by the company that towed it; towing companies will also be permitted to demand payment for towing and for storage before releasing an impounded vehicle to its registered owner.
Undoubtedly, the thought behind the law is that it will create yet another deterrent to drinking and driving. In essence, Hailey’s Law removes whatever discretion law enforcement had in determining what to do with a vehicle, and instead requires that the car be towed from the scene of a DUI arrest. Hailey’s Law is not absolute, however, and there are exemptions. For example, if a vehicle has two registered owners, such as a husband and wife, the one not arrested can reclaim it before the 12-hour mandatory impound has elapsed. Similarly, a registered owner can reclaim his car if someone else driving it was the one arrested for DUI; however, the mandatory 12-hour impound will remain in effect if a registered owner is a passenger in the vehicle at the time a driver was arrested for DUI.
Now, more than ever, it is critical to retain a reputable and qualified Seattle DUI lawyer when arrested for DUI in Washington State. The right Seattle DUI attorney will be worth his/her weight in gold when protecting your rights, freedom and future. The Seattle DUI attorneys that make up the litigation team of SQ Attorneys are dedicated to defending those accused of drunk driving. They have the experience, knowledge and resources to successfully defend your case. Unlike other law firms that practice in many areas of the law, SQ Attorneys is focused on criminal defense representation with an emphasis on DUI defense in Western Washington.
If you or a loved one is faced with a DUI charge in Western Washington, you deserve the assistance of a reputable and qualified Seattle DUI attorney who will relentlessly defend your case. You deserve a Seattle DUI lawyer who has an intimate understanding of Washington DUI laws and the legal issues that could win your case. You deserve a Seattle DUI defense attorney who is not afraid to stand up against the prosecution and aggressively fight for your rights and interests. SQ Attorneys is the right Western Washington DUI law firm for the job. Call for a free initial consultation – (206) 441.0900 (Seattle); (425) 998-8384 (Eastside) – it will be the best decision you make all day.