With the ever changing DUI laws in our state, one has to wonder how far off DUI check points are from again being on our Washington roadways. Although our Washington state Constitution protects individual privacy interests in our homes and our private affairs, and although in 1988 our State Supreme Court held that sobriety checkpoints involve seizures, and thus are valid only if there is legal authority to conduct the seizure, many DUI defense attorneys are convinced that the next big move in Washington DUI law is the re-imposition of DUI checkpoints.
It seems that in Washington the erosion of our 4th amendment protection rights, as they pertain to DUI’s, is continuous and ongoing. Thus, it only seems natural that at some point in the near future that one of the Washington policing agencies will again be emboldened to test the DUI checkpoint option. When will this occur? Only time will tell. One would hope, however, that such a campaign will be publicly disclosed before it goes into full force and effect. Similar to WSP's disclosure of holiday DUI emphasis patrol programs, i.e. the Target Zero campaign.
If you or a loved one is in a bind as a result of a DUI, immediately contact a Seattle DUI attorney. A Seattle DUI attorney is not going to judge you, and understands that everyone makes mistakes. Hiring a Seattle DUI attorney to help can – at a minimum – reduce those penalties, and can help direct people on how to best deal with their DUI charge. So it should go without saying that someone cited for DUI should hire a qualified Seattle DUI lawyer as soon as possible. Driving Under the Influence charges can cause havoc on a person’s personal and professional life. Anyone charged with DUI in Washington State should immediately seek the assistance of a seasoned Seattle DUI lawyer.