Hailey’s Law in Washington State

Hailey's Law, which took effect on July 22 of 2011, requires that the vehicles of those arrested and released on Washington DUI charges be towed from the scene and impounded for a minimum of 12 hours. The law was passed to prevent drunk and drug-impaired drivers from getting behind the wheel of their vehicles after being stopped and cited by law enforcement. The law was named after Hailey Huntley, who was struck four years ago by a drunk driver in Whatcom County. The drunk woman had been arrested earlier and driven home by law enforcement. She then hired a taxi to transport her back to her car in order to drive it home. Unfortunately, she hit Hailey head-on. The collision resulted in a broken leg, knee, and hip, a crushed foot, and collapsed lungs for Hailey who has undergone 15 surgeries to correct her many physical problems since.

Only a few exceptions are permitted under Hailey's Law. If the vehicle is registered to two or more persons, it may be picked up by another registered owner who has not been cited for DUI. The other exception is if the implicated vehicle is not registered to the driver who was cited for DUI, in which case the actual registered owner may regain possession. The new law was welcomed by towing companies in the state, who earlier were unable to legally stop drunk drivers from picking up impounded vehicles.

DUI Defense in Lynwood, Washington

Being arrested and charged with a Washington State DUI is a very serious matter. DUI laws in the state are tough on this issue and state prosecutors anxious to prosecute those convicted to the fullest extent of the law. Furthermore, Washington State Troopers are among the most vigilant of their peers when it comes to detecting and arresting DUI violators. They have been named the top North American law enforcement agency in this endeavor by the International Association of Chiefs of Police.

A DUI conviction can result in many adverse penalties, including a black mark on your criminal record which can negatively affect your life in the future. Getting qualified legal help when facing a DUI charge is imperative if you wish to have the most optimum results. Attorney Jonathon Dichter of the Dichter Law Office, PLLC is a DUI defense attorney with an impressive record in this field. He has achieved an 89 percent reduction or dismissal record overall in Washington DUI cases which has made him an Avvo Client's Choice winner for 2012. His Avvo rating is 10.0 which is a "Superb" ranking. All of this underscores the quality and effectiveness of his DUI defense. To find out more about he can assist you following any type of DUI, contact the firm for a legal consultation today.