Harsher Penalties for Felony DUI Charges
Wednesday, March 28th, 2012In 2010, 170 people were killed by impaired drivers. More people were killed by impaired drivers than by slaying. The reality of these numbers have prompted Washington State Prosecutors to introduce a bill in the 2012 Legislative session to increase the penalties of Vehicular Homicide and Assault, specifically including those involving alcohol.
This new bill would increase the minimum and maximum penalties for Vehicular Homicide (DUI), Vehicular Assault (DUI), Vehicular Homicide (reckless manner), and Vehicular Homicide (disregard for the safety of others). The most significant increase proposed by the bill would be for a Vehicular Homicide DUI. The bill proposes to increase the penalty from a minimum sentence of 2.5 years to a minimum sentence of 6 years and from a maximum sentence of 3.5 years to a maximum sentence of 8.5 years. The stated intent of this drastic increase is to be a deterrent to those who are considering getting behind the wheel after consuming alcohol.
For more information see the Seattle Times article: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2017113813_duilaw29m.html
The penalties for alcohol related offenses are continuously evolving. The cost of a DUI in Washington State can be steep, especially without the help of a skilled attorney on your side.
If you have questions about a Washington State DUI and its consequences, you need to contact an attorney skilled in the Washington State DUI process. If you are not represented by counsel, please don’t hesitate to call my office at (425) 422-5818 or visit my website at www.washington-dui.com Mark W. Garka
