Yakima County is awaiting funding for a specialty DUI court, and should learn in the very near future as to whether a $150,000 federal grant has been authorized for the specialty court. There are currently four other counties in Washington State that have dedicated DUI courts.
If approved, it is believed that a Yakima County DUI court could be up and running by October. The basic principle of a DUI court is to break the cycle of DUI recidivism by focusing on providing services to treat offenders, not punish them. Costs of treatment and other court services generally are the hurdle that most courts face when trying to help DUI offenders, thus the necessity for the federal funding.
Generally, participants in DUI court plead guilty and serve legislatively mandated jail time. An offender’s probation period ranges 12 to 18 months. Monitoring of the offender is done by way of both an alcohol detecting “SCRAM” bracelet, and random urinalysis testing.
The biggest asset of a DUI court is its ability to assist in getting offenders into alcohol/ drug treatment; often treatment can be too cost prohibitive and thus out of reach for those financially challenged. It is thought that DUI courts help people stabilize their lives by permitting them to stay out of extended periods of incarceration and by maintaining family ties and gainful employment.
Because of the significant implications a DUI arrest and/or conviction can have, it is imperative that a person charged with DUI in Washington State immediately retain a qualified Seattle DUI lawyer or a qualified Bellevue DUI lawyer. In many instances, a qualified Seattle DUI lawyer can significantly reduce the impact that a DUI charge will have on an individual’s life. The right Seattle DUI attorney will be worth his/her weight in gold when protecting a person’s 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.