New 2015 DUI Law (Continued) DUI Drivers Driving Without Valid Licenses, Auto Insurance or Ignition Interlock Devices (IIDs) – A mandatory 30 day jail sanction must be imposed by the court for any DUI driver probation who drives without a valid license, auto insurance, or a functioning Ignition Interlock Device (IID) in their vehicle. Open…
New 2015 DUI Laws (Continued) 24/7 Alcohol Monitoring by Courts – Courts may now order pretrial 24/7 alcohol monitoring on DUI defendants facing a second or subsequent DUI charge in a lifetime. Ignition Interlock Devices (IIDs) Violation Penalties – Defendants convicted of IID violations will now have their sentences now consecutively added to any DUI…
New 2015 DUI Laws Effective September 26, 2015, several new DUI laws go into effect. Among these are: Ignition Interlock Licenses (IILs) – The Department of Licensing is now permitted to issue temporary Ignition Interlock Licenses (IILs) to Washington residents authorized to drive with out of state licenses. This will mostly affect military personnel stationed…
More than 100 bars in Western Washington have installed new breathalyzer machines in recent weeks. The machines are part of a new project by a retired construction manager. Bob Brazel says his machines come pre-calibrated and are supposed to be 95% accurate, but he wants to make it clear that law enforcement is the only…
Washington State law has recently increased penalties for a BUI (Boating Under the Influence). A BUI is now a Gross Misdemeanor, and if you are convicted you can face up to $5,000 in fines and up to one year in jail. Boat operators are held to the same standards as a motorist and can be…
Speeding remains the most ticketed highway violation around the Puget Sound. The violations are concentrated to very specific areas you could call ticket “hot spots”. Troopers admittedly target areas known for trouble to reduce fatal accidents, but why specific miles within those target areas see a sudden spike in ticket activity is less scientific: An…
Beginning this month, the cost of a HOV (carpool lane) violation ticket has increased to $136. The WSP says that HOV violations are the number one citizen reported driving violation, with an average of 80 calls and emails each day. Since 2012 the number of HOV violations has increased by 77%. Through May of this…
Yesterday I won a Driving While License Suspended (DWLS) 2nd Degree trial because the Prosecution failed to provide it’s key driving record evidence to the defense before the trial started. That is a serious violation of the court rules and the rules of evidence. Yet people defending themselves without a lawyer, and even some defense lawyers sometimes,…
On Friday, June 5, 2015 I helped the local court present its annual Law Day presentation for over 800 fifth graders of the Edmonds School District. This was my 29th year doing this. It is a lot of work, but a labor of love. It has grown from 60 kids in 1987 to over 800+…
Attorney Paul Hanson is pleased to announce his recent selection as one of the Top 100 Criminal Defense lawyers in the State of Washington for 2015 by the American Society of Legal Advocates (ASLA). Only 1.5% of criminal defense lawyers are so honored each year. Congratulations Paul!