Should Washington's DUI Threshold Be Lowered From .08 to .05?

The current blood-alcohol content (BAC) limit for drunk driving within the State of Washington is .08. The limit used to be .10 and was reduced to .08 in 1999. With an emphasis on reducing the number of drunk driving related accidents and deaths, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) voted this week to recommend each state lower its threshold BAC for drunk driving. The NTSB is recommending that .05 be the new threshold for the legal limit. 

All 50 states currently have a threshold of .08. What are your thoughts on reducing the limit even more?

Link to Tacoma News Tribune article.

Link to NBC article.

Washington State Courts Office Hacked, Leaking Socials and Driver's License Numbers

The Seattle Times through an Associated Press article has informed that many citizens personal information, including social security numbers and driver's license numbers, may have been taken by hackers from Washington State Courts Office of Administration. 

Here is list of potential individuals who may have had their information taken:

• Those booked into a city or county jail within the state of Washington between September 2011 and December 2012 may have had their name and Social Security number accessed.

• Names and driver’s license numbers may have been obtained from people who received a DUI citation in Washington state between 1989 through 2011, had a traffic case in Washington filed or resolved in a district or municipal court between 2011 and 2012, or had a Superior Court criminal case in Washington state that was filed against them or resolved between 2011 and 2012.

State officials have set up a website and hotline to answer public questions about the breach: http://www.courts.wa.gov/databreach and 1-800-448-5584.

Nearly 200 DUI Arrests In Snohomish, King, and Pierce County Over Holiday Weekend

A Pierce County press release reports that officers made over 198 DUI arrests in King, Snohomish and Pierce Counties last weekend over the Cinco de Mayo holiday.

Extra DUI Patrols For Holiday Weekend

As is customary for holiday weekends in Washington, there will be extra DUI patrols for Pierce County and surrounding counties for the upcoming St. Patrick's Day weekend. Be safe out there and drive sober!

Seattle Times Report: Extra DUI Patrols for St. Patrick's Day

Washington Bill Proposes DUI Courts For College Students

A bill proposal floating around in Olympia is suggesting the creation of special "DUI Courts" for college students (read bill here). Within Washington the creation of special courts, such as drug courts, has been a tremendous success over the years in helping rehabilitate people charged with crimes. The concept or success of drug courts has been the focus on the root problem that may have caused someone to commit a crime - their drug addiction. However, in regards to the creation of DUI courts for college students, I simply do not see it gaining much momentum to carry it out of committee or an eventual passage. 

Surely, college-age drinking poses a significant problem and college students get a perhaps well-deserved bad rap for overindulging in adult beverages; but the creation of a DUI court specifically for those enrolled in a higher institution seems a bit off.  There seems to be a bit of an elitist flavor to have a bill that focuses solely on college students and also too trivial to only involve cases of drunk driving.  

Holiday Season Results In 543 DUI Arrests In Pierce County

The News Tribune reported on Friday that Pierce County showed 543 DUI arrests by law enforcement over the holiday season (November 21st through January 1st) read story here.

Happy Holidays, Happy New Year, Happy New Job!

First and foremost, Happy Holidays to everyone out there. We've reached the final month of another year, and though the pending apocalypse is allegedly upon us, may you have a joyous holiday season. 

As for me, I've made a change in my law practice and started a new position. After eight years of practicing civil law (an oxymoron) and focusing on real estate, business, employment, and construction law, I've decided to jump ship and switch it up. I am now practicing in the area of criminal law and personal injury. My new office is at the Law Office of Daryl L. Graves PLLP - 705 South 9th Street, Suite 205, Tacoma, WA (Phone: 253-383-7777).

The criminal law world seemingly, thus far, moves at a faster pace and allows me to get out from behind the desk, which is always good. So bringing in the new year will also mean bringing in new beginnings and addressing new topics for this blog.