There were a lot of changes this past Legislative session with regard to our Washington state DUI laws; there were some significant changes in Washington State’s DUI laws that every resident and driver in Washington State should understand and become familiar with.
The new laws went into effect on September 28, 2013. Some of these new laws are as follows: Mandatory Jail Booking: Washington DUI laws now require a mandatory arrest and jail booking for DUI offenders with a prior DUI incident within the past 10 years. Previously police had discretion to release a DUI offender after he was arrested and processed for DUI. Even though a person is “presumed innocent” until proven otherwise, the law will now require that certain individuals be jailed pending posting of bail or a court order of release. Employer Vehicles Exemptions: Under Washington’s new DUI laws any person convicted of a DUI may not obtain an employer exemption until 30 days after the installation of an Ignition Interlock device on one of his own vehicles. Previously a person could get an immediate exemption from the Ignition Interlock requirement while they were driving a work vehicle for work purposes. Vehicle Forfeitures: Under Washington’s new DUI laws Washington courts are required to consider whether a person’s vehicle is subject to forfeiture in DUI, Physical Control, and Ignition Interlock violation related cases. Other provisions: Washington’s new DUI laws contain a number of other progressive provisions, but the provisions outlined herein are some of the most important changes that immediately effect folks cited and/or arrested for DUI in Washington State.
In light of the above, it is abundantly clear that our Washington state government is ‘cracking down’ on DUI’s. Our DUI laws are some of the strictest laws in the nation. Many good people find themselves facing some harsh consequences for being arrested and charged for a DUI. Hiring a Seattle DUI attorney to help can – at a minimum – reduce those penalties, and can help direct people on how to best deal with their DUI charge. So it should go without saying that someone cited for DUI should hire a qualified Seattle DUI attorney as soon as possible. Driving Under the Influence charges can cause havoc on a person’s personal and professional life. Anyone charged with DUI in Washington State should immediately seek the assistance of a seasoned Seattle DUI lawyer.
