Washington State DUI: DUI and Children equals more jail!

Washington State DUI:  DUI and Children equals more jail!

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OLYMPIA – Drivers in Washington will face steeper consequences starting this spring for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol while a child is in the vehicle.

Gov. Chris Gregoire signed into law Friday legislation -- House Bill 2302 -- that enhances penalties for drunken drivers transporting passengers age 16 and younger. The law will go into effect in early June.

Washington already has penalty enhancements for convicted drunken drivers carrying minor passengers.

Currently, if the passenger is 13 years old or younger, law enforcement officers must contact Child Protective Services if an arrest is made.

And for drivers with a passenger 16 or younger, an ignition interlock device – a portable breathalyzer attached to the ignition – must be installed for at least 60 days. The ignition interlocks only let drivers start the car if their blood alcohol concentration is below .025, said Capt. Jason Berry with the Washington State Patrol.

The new law moves the CPS notification requirement up to include passengers age 16 and younger. It also extends the minimum period for an ignition interlock to six months.

"The whole idea is this technology is holding people accountable," Berry said. But the State Patrol wants drivers to recognize they are drunk before even starting the car.

Under the new law, drivers with a record of gross misdemeanor convictions for DUI with a child passenger 16 or younger will have to pay additional fines. Having one prior offense could lead to an additional payment of $2,000 to $5,000. Having three or more prior offenses could cost an additional $3,000 to $10,000.

Also, those convicted of felony DUI, vehicular assault DUI or vehicular homicide DUI while a passenger 16 or younger is in the vehicle will get an additional sentence of 12 months for each of their child passengers.

The bill came forward at the request of the State Patrol and passed both the Senate and the House with unanimous support during the 60-day session.

For further questions about your Washington State DUI arrest contact one of our Washington State DUI attorneys at (425) 493-1115

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