With the new year upon us, a new bevy of Washington State DUI laws have been implemented. What has changed, you ask? Well, (1) there are extended lookback periods for repeat offenders, i.e. felony DUI lookback periods have been extended to 15 years, not 10; felony convictions, as opposed to gross misdemeanor convictions, carry much harsher penalties; (2) there are now more opportunities for deferred prosecution and treatment, i.e. certain defendants may now be eligible for a second deferred prosecution in their lifetime; (3) there is a new saliva testing method for DUI enforcement, i.e. portable devices that test for the presence of specific drugs in a driver's saliva, which can indicate recent drug use but don't provide quantifiable drug levels like blood tests do; and (4) there are stricter requirements for ignition interlock devices and probation, i.e. (a) the employer exemption now does not apply to self-employed individuals unless the vehicle is used exclusively for employment purposes, and (b) probation officers must check driving records every three months (this requirement was previously every six months). So, buckle up everyone. We shall see how the new 2026 DUI laws impact our roadways.
If you or a loved one is in a bind as a result of a DUI/ Physical Control allegation, immediately contact a Seattle DUI Attorney. A Seattle DUI Defense Attorney is not going to judge you and understands that everyone makes mistakes. Hiring a Seattle DUI Lawyer to help can – at a minimum – reduce penalties and can help direct people on how to best deal with their DUI charge, and some times even get them dismissed. So, it should go without saying that someone cited for a DUI should hire a qualified Seattle DUI Lawyer as soon as possible. DUI charges can cause havoc on a person’s personal and professional life. Anyone charged with a DUI in Washington State should immediately seek the assistance of a seasoned Seattle DUI Lawyer. SQ Attorneys can be reached at (425) 359-3791 and/or (206) 441-0900.