The WSP grace period has ended for distracted drivers. Under the “Driving Under the Influence of Electronics” law, also known as E-DUI, drivers may not hold cell phones or watch videos while they are driving, stopped in traffic, or at a stop light. That includes tablets, laptops, games, or any hand-held electronic devices. The law…
On May 1, 2018, all four divisions / courthouses of the Snohomish County Distirct Court (SCDC) will restructure their probation model. New evidence based practices will be introduced for all defendants placed on court probation. The Ohio Risk Assessment System (ORAS) will be used as the probation assessment instrument. It will classify Defendant’s probation as…
Since last July 2017 when Washington State started enforcing stricter distracted driving laws, WSP Troopers have stopped 5,083 drivers for operating a vehicle and holding an electronic device at the same time. That is just over 43 drivers per day. Of these 5,083 distracted drivers, only 770 received citations, with most only receiving a warning.…
On Monday October 2, 2017, the King County Sheriff’s Office will being issuing $419.00 tickets for illegally passing an unloading school bus. Exterior cameras have been put on 120 Seattle Public School buses. These cameras, similar to the school zone cameras, will get video of the illegally passing vehicle and its license plate. The vehicle’s…
When do you stop for a school bus? Get it wrong and you could get a $430 ticket in Washington State. Many drivers get it wrong on two lane roads. If you’re driving on a two lane road, cars coming from both directions must stop when the school bus puts out its stop signal or…
Extra DUI police patrols will hit King and Snohomish County roads starting Friday September 1st to target those who get behind the wheel after having a few drinks or smoking too much marijuana. This DUI emphasis patrol is aimed at encouraging everyone to get a safe ride, especially if alcohol, prescription or over-the-counter medicine, or…
Other new laws that take effect Sunday: —Prosecutors will be able to file felony charges if a person gets a fourth DUI within 10 years. Under the new law, offenders would be sent to prison for 13 to 17 months, rather than serve shorter sentences in county jails. —Courts will be allowed to issue permanent…
Starting this Sunday, July 23rd Washington drivers will have to put down their phones or else face tougher penalties under a new distracted driving law. Texting or holding a phone to your ear is already against the law in the state, but the new measure now prohibits anything else that requires drivers to hold their…
Attorney Paul Hanson was pleased to receive a Certificate of Appreciation from the Judges at the Snohomish County District Court (South Division) in Lynnwood, WA for his volunteer attorney services at the court’s annual LAW DAY events. Now in its 31st year, Law Day was founded when several South Division court employees and Lynnwood attorney…
In mid July, 2017, drivers will no longer be able to hold any electronic device (cell phones, tablets, and other electronic devices) in their hands while driving. Not even while stopped in traffic or while waiting for a traffic light to change. It replaces the current Washington law which on prohibits texting or holding a…