Last weekend Pierce County instituted “party patrols” in anticipation of the inevitable parties associated with the end of school year graduations. It is always a busy and dangerous time of year for celebrating students; under-age drinking and drunken driving incidents are generally high during this time of year – school is out and the sun is out, which makes for quite the recipe. In fact, Pierce County law enforcement says that it has already arrested nearly 200 under-age drinkers so far this spring.

During this time of year it is vastly common for numerous calls to come in for police to check on party complaints. The Pierce County party patrol is a dedicated unit that is specifically looking for under-age drinkers breaking the law.

Recently the team arrested teens along the Puyallup River, Orting, Sumner and the surrounding unincorporated areas. One particular bust netted a high school graduation party at a home in Puyallup with more than 75 kids in attendance. Evidence of the party included empty bottles of hard liquor and beer, and some of the kids allegedly appeared to be intoxicated. The minors were arrested and dropped off at a processing center. As they waited for their parents to pick them up, they had a chance to talk to chemical dependency specialists and parent volunteers. 

Police hope the event serves as a possible intervention, and impresses upon the minors a reminder of how serious underage drinking is, and that it can lead to an arrest and can negatively impact a person’s aspiration and dreams.

Washington Underage drinking laws and Washington DUI laws are generally very tough. It is clear that the legislature plans on making these laws even tougher in the not so distant future. If you or a loved one is cited or charged with underage drinking and/or DUI in Western Washington it is imperative that a Seattle DUI attorney be retained as soon as possible to ensure all personal, professional and financial interests are protected. Seattle DUI Lawyers Greg Schwesinger and Saad Qadri of SQ Attorneys represent defendants and petitioners through all phases of their criminal case, whether DUI or otherwise. This includes not only fighting for the accused’s rights and interests at all criminal court proceedings, but also fighting for the accused’s driving privileges during an administrative telephonic hearing through the Washington State Department of Licensing. The Seattle DUI defense attorneys of SQ Attorneys are experienced and proven negotiators that make a world of difference for those accused of DUI. SQ Attorneys is a team of seasoned Seattle DUI lawyers that work tireless to achieve the best possible outcome for each and every client they have the honor of representing. Arrested for underage drinking and/or DUI in Western Washington? Call The Criminal Defense Team of SQ Attorneys at (206) 441-0900 or (425) 998-8384 for an initial free consultation.