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Every year, Washington State legislature amends the DUI laws in an effort to make the DUI laws even tougher or to “tune up ” the laws. This year’s legislative session resulted in the passage of HB 3124, a law that went into effect June 10, 2010. The law requires that a police officer who …

Many of my clients come to my office convinced that they want to pursue a DUI deferred prosecution. Most of them have heard about this option from friends or family. Some have even been steered in that direction from the arresting officer. Almost none of them, however, have any idea what this program actually entails. [...]

An ignition interlock license is a license that permits one to drive during a period of license suspension resulting from a DUI arrest or conviction so long as the vehicle being driven is equipped with an ignition interlock device and SR22 insurance is in place. See RCW 46.20.385. Prior law required the device …

The new ignition interlock license is taking some of the sting of the lengthy license suspensions that the Department of Licensing issues upon a DUI arrest or conviction.  The ignition interlock license permits an individual to drive anywhere, anytime, so long as the vehicle being driven has an ignition interlock (with certain exceptions) and proof [...]

As discussed in a previous blog, in 2009 the Washington State Patrol instituted a pilot “Ignition Interlock Compliance Program.” As part of that program, Washington State Patrol troopers are knocking on the doors of drivers who, after a Washington State DUI arrest or conviction, are required to have an ignition interlock device installed …

In January of 2009 a new law took effect authorizing a new license called an Ignition Interlock License (“IIL”). The IIL allows drivers to continue driving a car during their DUI suspension or revocation if the car is equipped with an ignition interlock device. Since the law has been in effect approximately 4,425 IIL’s have [...]

A “hard” license suspension is a license suspension for which there is no driving of any sort allowed.  By way of background, under the 2009 amendments to Washington state’s DUI laws, a driver whose license is suspended for an alcohol-based DUI arrest or conviction may apply for an ignition interlock license.  This license permits the [...]

Washington State DUI law currently includes a little-known provision that turns your car into a four-wheeled police agent, ready and willing to notify the police when it senses that a DUI probation violation may have occurred. Recall that in several situations, a citizen accused or convicted of a Seattle DUI or Washington …

Installation of an ignition interlock device (IID) in a driver’s car is the intended result of Washington State DUI laws. The ignition interlock device is required to be installed if a driver’s license is suspended due to  a DUI arrest or conviction anywhere in Washington State. This is a statewide law, and applies equally to [...]

A good defense attorney not only prepares for trial, he or she also negotiates with the prosecution in order to persuade the prosecutor to offer a reduced charge. The question that the client must then answer is: Do I accept a plea …