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New Driving Under the Influence (DUI) Laws

New Driving Under the Influence (DUI) Laws

Unfortunately every year there are fatal car accidents caused by drunk drivers.  However, this year has been different, Washington State lawmakers filed over a thousand pages of new driving under the influence (DUI) legislation within the months of March through June.

This mad rush of lawmaking was the aftermath of two tragic DUI related cases in the Seattle area.  Governor Inslee, lawmakers, and the “public” have been demanding tougher laws against drunk drivers ever since.

Many of the ideas proposed in early drafts had a lot of public and lawmaker support but were completely unrealistic as actual policies.  A popular proposal was to require special licenses or ID cards for people with DUI history to prohibit their purchase of alcohol.  This proposal appeared quite ineffective considering current Washington State law allows the use of various forms of identification for the purchase of alcohol, including passports and military ID’s.

Another popular proposal that went nowhere was the requirement for all drivers arrested for DUI to have an ignition interlock device installed in his/her vehicle while contained at the impound lot.  The vehicle would remain impounded until the ignition interlock devices was installed properly.  This proposal quickly didn’t pass because of testimony provided by representatives from ignition interlock companies that it was not feasible to install devices off site.

The two mentioned proposals did not pass into law this session.  However, new DUI law, Engrossed Second Substitute Bill 5912, passed and will become effective September 28, 2013.

As a result of 5912 there will be additional mandatory jail time for a DUI driver who had a child passenger.  A court sentencing under the new DUI law must consider whether or not a driver had a passenger under the age of 16 years in the vehicle at the time of the incident and impose additional jail time if they did.  For a DUI driver with no DUI history, this additional mandatory jail is 24 hours.  For a DUI driver with prior DUI history the additional mandatory jail is five days (one prior DUI) and ten days (two or more prior DUI offenses).

Also, 5912 impacts drivers with DUI history at the time of arrest and during pre-trial conditions of release.  During a DUI arrest, if the officer has knowledge of the individual having a prior DUI offense within 10 years, 5912 requires that driver to be booked into jail and held until released by a judge.  Any judge setting pretrial conditions of release for a person with a prior DUI is required by 5912 to impose an installation of an ignition interlock device.  The law does not allow for removal of the device until acquittal or dismissal of the DUI charge.

Driving under the influence laws are ever-changing.  If you or anyone you know is accused with DUI call David O Defense Criminal and DUI Litigation to schedule a free consultation.

Busted! DUI Celeb Moms!

Busted! DUI Celeb Moms!

I just came across a great article on The Stir that hot listed 6 celebrity moms for getting in trouble with the law and for having ugly mug shots.  Of the 6 ladies mentioned, my favorites were Moms charged with DUI, Heather Locklear, Tracy Gold, Jamie Pressly, and Chef Cat Cora.

A brief recap of the DUI charges… In 2008, Heather Locklear was charged with DUI on prescription drugs, the charges were later reduced to reckless driving.   Not so lucky for Locklear, the former Melrose Place actress, was her police mug shot that was so unforgettable it flooded all gossip avenues.

Tracy Gold, Growing Pains actress, flipped her SUV and rolled it down an embankment while DUI.  Her husband and children were also in the car, all suffered injuries except the four-month old baby.  A seriously bad decision by that Mama in 2004, and I’m sure she will never put her family in that kind of jeopardy again, YIKES!

Actress and mother, Jamie Pressly, was arrested and charged with DUI in 2011 after being stopped for a traffic violation.  Another unforgiving a celeb mug shot, poor Jamie Pressly, so pretty when sober.

Most recently, Chef Cat Cora, arrest and charged with DUI in June 2012 for rear-ending a car while leaving a tavern.  Police reported the famous Chef had a breath test twice the legal limit of .08.

Moms deserve to have a drink or two or more, however as we know they too must remain responsible and make good decisions like everyone else, call cabs or designate drivers etc.  Check out the article in full and view the ugly Mom mug shots, FUN! “6 Celebrity Moms Who Were Arrested for Being Bad (Photos)”  www.thestir.cafemom.com.

 

Written by S.O