My question involves criminal law for the state of: Washington State
Ok, so here's my story: In 2007 i got a DUI at age 19. they waited 7 months to charge me then i was charged with neg driving 1st degree. i failed to follow the guidelines and timeline they set for me bc i failed to realize the seriousness of the situation. at age 21 in 2009, i got another DUI when trying to get my drunk(er) friends home safely. (no money for cab, lost in downtown...etc). i was charged almost immediately and before going to court i started treatment for my 1st DUI. i did well at treatment and visited my probation officer on time monthly.
then, as i was figuring out my 2nd DUI case, i found that my treatment agency wasnt accepted at this court. so, i transferred to another that agreed to accept what i had previously done and add the rest to finish my 1st DUI treatment program. then i did whats called a "Deferred Prosecution" in WA state, basically meaning you agree you are guilty, but instead of jail time (mandatory min in WA for 2nd drug/alcohol related offense = 45 days) which would have gotten me fired, it allows you to go to treatment for 2 years and 5 years of probation.
i followed all the rules and really got serious about making sure i did everything on time and correctly. then, i missed a probation appointment on accident. i showed up the following day and it went well. then, i missed the next one bc of work. ( i know im stupid!!) i was reported to the court for non-compliance, and i showed up reporting all of what i had done. i only had one more month to go before it was closed, but the judge decided to keep it open and sentence me to 3 days work release. at the same time, in a diff court, as i finished up my deferred prosecution, i was offered a once-in-a-lifetime job in silicon valley. there is no legal limitations for me to stay in the state, except for the word of the judge/probation officer. (no law saying i have to stay in state). i agreed with my treatment agency id continue treatment in CA, i talked to my lawyer and probation officer...
basically i figured everything out to be able to move and continue probation/treatment, then i went to a hearing to ask the judge permission. she said NO. the reason was bc the county "does not have the funds to extradite you (me) in case you get in trouble down there". basically cuz they cant conver the cost of transporting me back up if i get another DUI. i thought this was bullshit, and unfair. im not naive, i know that fair has nothing to do with it. but i couldnt pass this job up, i thought. all the while, the 1st DUI court is waiting 15 days for me to finish my pointless work release sentence.
here it is: i did NOT go to work release, i did NOT show up in court when they sent me a letter stating i failed to do what the judge said in regards to the work release, i also did not report to my probation officer from the 2nd case with the deferred prosecution. (which inevitably means that im guilty and will no doubt have to serve 45-90 days upon return to WA state). i just LEFT. i left the state to pursue my life and my work and live in peace.
what im wondering now is, what will happen now? do i need to live the rest of my life in fear of being returned to WA state county jails? will they even bother? if they check my ID here in CA, will they be able to tell? will i be able to live (without driving) in CA freely as long as i dont get in trouble? do i have to get in trouble with police for them to see my WA records? i obviously have 2 bench warrants out on me in WA state. what will happen with these? is it really procedure to hold these for 10s of years? if i come back to WA at age 40 (23 now), will they want to prosecute me?....
im not a dummy and know a decent amount about the court system, im not trying to discredit the system or anything...i just didnt follow the rules and i wanted to live freely on my own time-without limitations. and without missing this incredible opportunity. and any answers or explanations to my questions would be greatly appreciated! weird how when youre a kid you want to be a cop or military..and now im actually "running" from the law. sucks.

