Re: Options for Drunk Driving Defense in Washington State
Sean --- I recently was cited for a DUI in Spokane. I had a DUI "reduced" to a Reckless Endangerment charge to avoid loss of license. Instead I paid a big fine and did a lot of jail time (120 days). At the time it was the right thing to do as I am in a profession that takes me out of state and out of town and my license means everything to me. Upon talking to my lawyer on this new DUI I found out that since 2004 in Washington a "reduced" charge is now looked upon as a DUI conviction as is a completion of a deferred prosecution that supposedly is "expunged" from your record. My prior reduction is now a DUI conviction Prior and I am facing penalties for a second "conviction" in seven years !!! Apparently in this state the law is capable of being changed "Post-Facto" and the MADD people control the System. I am going to be suspended for two years and there is nothing to be done. I am now officially a non drinker (anywhere - anytime) and am about to enter bankruptcy as my income is now 1/4 what it was with a drivers license. I will be leaving the US as soon as all my legal responsibilities are done !!! FIGHT IT !!!!!!
Re: Options for Drunk Driving Defense in Washington State
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Quoting tommygun
Apparently in this state the law is capable of being changed "Post-Facto" and the MADD people control the System.
What you describe is no an example of an "ex post facto" law, and MADD is not a government agency or a political party. One does not have to be affiliated with MADD to support strict DUI laws.
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I will be leaving the US as soon as all my legal responsibilities are done!
Where will you go? It's not like moving to another town.
And leaving solely because you can't have a license for a couple of years would seem a tad bit of an over-reaction. But, it's your choice.
As an FYI, most every other country in the world has stiffer DUI laws than the USA. Keep that in mind.
- Carl