Washington DWI Lawyers & DWI Laws
(1) A person is guilty of driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug if the person drives a vehicle within this state:
(a) And the person has, within two hours after
driving, an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or higher as shown by
analysis of the person's breath or blood made under RCW 46.61.506;
or
(b) While the person is under the influence of
or affected by intoxicating liquor or any drug; or
(c) While the person is under the combined
influence of or affected by intoxicating liquor and any drug.
(2) The fact that a person charged with a
violation of this section is or has been entitled to use a drug under
the laws of this state shall not constitute a defense against a charge
of violating this section.
(3) It is an affirmative defense to a
violation of subsection (1)(a) of this section which the defendant must
prove by a preponderance of the evidence that the defendant consumed a
sufficient quantity of alcohol after the time of driving and before the
administration of an analysis of the person's breath or blood to cause
the defendant's alcohol concentration to be 0.08 or more within two
hours after driving. The court shall not admit evidence of this defense
unless the defendant notifies the prosecution prior to the omnibus or
pretrial hearing in the case of the defendant's intent to assert the
affirmative defense.
(4) Analyses of blood or breath samples
obtained more than two hours after the alleged driving may be used as
evidence that within two hours of the alleged driving, a person had an
alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more in violation of subsection (1)(a)
of this section, and in any case in which the analysis shows an alcohol
concentration above 0.00 may be used as evidence that a person was
under the influence of or affected by intoxicating liquor or any drug
in violation of subsection (1)(b) or (c) of this section.
(5) A violation of this section is a gross
misdemeanor.
(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, a person is
guilty of driving or being in physical control of a motor vehicle after
consuming alcohol if the person operates or is in physical control of a
motor vehicle within this state and the person:
(a) Is under the age of twenty-one;
(b) Has, within two hours after operating or
being in physical control of the motor vehicle, an alcohol
concentration of at least 0.02 but less than the concentration
specified in RCW 46.61.502, as shown by analysis of the person's breath
or blood made under RCW 46.61.506.
(2) It is an affirmative defense to a
violation of subsection (1) of this section which the defendant must
prove by a preponderance of the evidence that the defendant consumed a
sufficient quantity of alcohol after the time of driving or being in
physical control and before the administration of an analysis of the
person's breath or blood to cause the defendant's alcohol concentration
to be in violation of subsection (1) of this section within two hours
after driving or being in physical control. The court shall not admit
evidence of this defense unless the defendant notifies the prosecution
prior to the earlier of: (a) Seven days prior to trial; or (b) the
omnibus or pretrial hearing in the case of the defendant's intent to
assert the affirmative defense.
(3) Analyses of blood or breath samples
obtained more than two hours after the alleged driving or being in
physical control may be used as evidence that within two hours of the
alleged driving or being in physical control, a person had an alcohol
concentration in violation of subsection (1) of this section.
(4) A violation of this section is a
misdemeanor.
[1998 c 213 § 4; 1998 c 207 § 5; 1998 c 41 § 8; 1995 c 332 § 2; 1994 c
275 § 10. Formerly RCW 46.20.309.]
Notes:
(1) A person is guilty of being in actual physical control of a
motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any
drug if the person has actual physical control of a vehicle within this
state:
(a) And the person has, within two hours after
being in actual physical control of the vehicle, an alcohol
concentration of 0.08 or higher as shown by analysis of the person's
breath or blood made under RCW 46.61.506; or
(b) While the person is under the influence of
or affected by intoxicating liquor or any drug; or
(c) While the person is under the combined
influence of or affected by intoxicating liquor and any drug.
(2) The fact that a person charged with a
violation of this section is or has been entitled to use a drug under
the laws of this state does not constitute a defense against any charge
of violating this section. No person may be convicted under this
section if, prior to being pursued by a law enforcement officer, the
person has moved the vehicle safely off the roadway.
(3) It is an affirmative defense to a
violation of subsection (1)(a) of this section which the defendant must
prove by a preponderance of the evidence that the defendant consumed a
sufficient quantity of alcohol after the time of being in actual
physical control of the vehicle and before the administration of an
analysis of the person's breath or blood to cause the defendant's
alcohol concentration to be 0.08 or more within two hours after being
in such control. The court shall not admit evidence of this defense
unless the defendant notifies the prosecution prior to the omnibus or
pretrial hearing in the case of the defendant's intent to assert the
affirmative defense.
(4) Analyses of blood or breath samples
obtained more than two hours after the alleged being in actual physical
control of a vehicle may be used as evidence that within two hours of
the alleged being in such control, a person had an alcohol
concentration of 0.08 or more in violation of subsection (1)(a) of this
section, and in any case in which the analysis shows an alcohol
concentration above 0.00 may be used as evidence that a person was
under the influence of or affected by intoxicating liquor or any drug
in violation of subsection (1)(b) or (c) of this section.
(5) A violation of this section is a gross
misdemeanor.
[1998 c 213 § 5; 1994 c 275 § 3; 1993 c 328 § 2; 1987 c 373 § 3; 1986 c
153 § 3; 1979 ex.s. c 176 § 2.]
Notes:
(1) A person is guilty of being in actual physical control of a motor
vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug if
the person has actual physical control of a vehicle within this
state:
(a) And the person has, within two hours after
being in actual physical control of the vehicle, an alcohol
concentration of 0.08 or higher as shown by analysis of the person's
breath or blood made under RCW 46.61.506; or
(b) While the person is under the influence of
or affected by intoxicating liquor or any drug; or
(c) While the person is under the combined
influence of or affected by intoxicating liquor and any drug.
(2) The fact that a person charged with a
violation of this section is or has been entitled to use a drug under
the laws of this state does not constitute a defense against any charge
of violating this section. No person may be convicted under this
section if, prior to being pursued by a law enforcement officer, the
person has moved the vehicle safely off the roadway.
(3) It is an affirmative defense to a
violation of subsection (1)(a) of this section which the defendant must
prove by a preponderance of the evidence that the defendant consumed a
sufficient quantity of alcohol after the time of being in actual
physical control of the vehicle and before the administration of an
analysis of the person's breath or blood to cause the defendant's
alcohol concentration to be 0.08 or more within two hours after being
in such control. The court shall not admit evidence of this defense
unless the defendant notifies the prosecution prior to the omnibus or
pretrial hearing in the case of the defendant's intent to assert the
affirmative defense.
(4) Analyses of blood or breath samples
obtained more than two hours after the alleged being in actual physical
control of a vehicle may be used as evidence that within two hours of
the alleged being in such control, a person had an alcohol
concentration of 0.08 or more in violation of subsection (1)(a) of this
section, and in any case in which the analysis shows an alcohol
concentration above 0.00 may be used as evidence that a person was
under the influence of or affected by intoxicating liquor or any drug
in violation of subsection (1)(b) or (c) of this section.
(5) Except as provided in subsection (6) of
this section, a violation of this section is a gross misdemeanor.
(6) It is a class C felony punishable under
chapter 9.94A RCW, or chapter 13.40 RCW if the person is a juvenile,
if: (a) The person has four or more prior offenses within ten years as
defined in RCW 46.61.5055; or (b) the person has ever previously been
convicted of vehicular homicide while under the influence of
intoxicating liquor or any drug, RCW 46.61.520(1)(a), or vehicular
assault while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug,
RCW 46.61.522(1)(b).
[2006 c 73 § 2; 1998 c 213 § 5; 1994 c 275 § 3; 1993 c 328 § 2; 1987 c
373 § 3; 1986 c 153 § 3; 1979 ex.s. c 176 § 2.]
Notes:
(1)(a) In addition to penalties set forth in *RCW 46.61.5051 through
46.61.5053 until September 1, 1995, and RCW 46.61.5055 thereafter, a
one hundred twenty-five dollar fee shall be assessed to a person who is
either convicted, sentenced to a lesser charge, or given deferred
prosecution, as a result of an arrest for violating RCW 46.61.502,
46.61.504, 46.61.520, or 46.61.522. This fee is for the purpose of
funding the Washington state toxicology laboratory and the Washington
state patrol for grants and activities to increase the conviction rate
and decrease the incidence of persons driving under the influence of
alcohol or drugs.
(b) Upon a verified petition by the person
assessed the fee, the court may suspend payment of all or part of the
fee if it finds that the person does not have the ability to pay.
(c) When a minor has been adjudicated a
juvenile offender for an offense which, if committed by an adult, would
constitute a violation of RCW 46.61.502, 46.61.504, 46.61.520, or
46.61.522, the court shall assess the one hundred twenty-five dollar
fee under (a) of this subsection. Upon a verified petition by a minor
assessed the fee, the court may suspend payment of all or part of the
fee if it finds that the minor does not have the ability to pay the
fee.
(2) The fee assessed under subsection (1) of
this section shall be collected by the clerk of the court and
distributed as follows:
(a) Forty percent shall be subject to
distribution under RCW 3.46.120, 3.50.100, 35.20.220, 3.62.020,
3.62.040, or 10.82.070.
(b) The remainder of the fee shall be
forwarded to the state treasurer who shall, through June 30, 1997,
deposit: Fifty percent in the death investigations' account to be used
solely for funding the state toxicology laboratory blood or breath
testing programs; and fifty percent in the state patrol highway account
to be used solely for funding activities to increase the conviction
rate and decrease the incidence of persons driving under the influence
of alcohol or drugs. Effective July 1, 1997, the remainder of the fee
shall be forwarded to the state treasurer who shall deposit: Fifteen
percent in the death investigations' account to be used solely for
funding the state toxicology laboratory blood or breath testing
programs; and eighty-five percent in the state patrol highway account
to be used solely for funding activities to increase the conviction
rate and decrease the incidence of persons driving under the influence
of alcohol or drugs.
(3) This section applies to any offense
committed on or after July 1, 1993.
[1995 c 398 § 15; 1995 c 332 § 13; 1994 c 275 § 7.]
Notes:
(1) A person who is convicted of a violation of RCW 46.61.502 or
46.61.504 and who has no prior offense within seven years shall be
punished as follows:
(a) In the case of a person whose alcohol
concentration was less than 0.15, or for whom for reasons other than
the person's refusal to take a test offered pursuant to RCW 46.20.308
there is no test result indicating the person's alcohol
concentration:
(i) By imprisonment for not less than one day
nor more than one year. Twenty-four consecutive hours of the
imprisonment may not be suspended or deferred unless the court finds
that the imposition of this mandatory minimum sentence would impose a
substantial risk to the offender's physical or mental well-being.
Whenever the mandatory minimum sentence is suspended or deferred, the
court shall state in writing the reason for granting the suspension or
deferral and the facts upon which the suspension or deferral is based.
In lieu of the mandatory minimum term of imprisonment required under
this subsection (1)(a)(i), the court may order not less than fifteen
days of electronic home monitoring. The offender shall pay the cost of
electronic home monitoring. The county or municipality in which the
penalty is being imposed shall determine the cost. The court may also
require the offender's electronic home monitoring device to include an
alcohol detection breathalyzer, and the court may restrict the amount
of alcohol the offender may consume during the time the offender is on
electronic home monitoring; and
(ii) By a fine of not less than three hundred
fifty dollars nor more than five thousand dollars. Three hundred fifty
dollars of the fine may not be suspended or deferred unless the court
finds the offender to be indigent; or
(b) In the case of a person whose alcohol
concentration was at least 0.15, or for whom by reason of the person's
refusal to take a test offered pursuant to RCW 46.20.308 there is no
test result indicating the person's alcohol concentration:
(i) By imprisonment for not less than two days
nor more than one year. Two consecutive days of the imprisonment may
not be suspended or deferred unless the court finds that the imposition
of this mandatory minimum sentence would impose a substantial risk to
the offender's physical or mental well-being. Whenever the mandatory
minimum sentence is suspended or deferred, the court shall state in
writing the reason for granting the suspension or deferral and the
facts upon which the suspension or deferral is based. In lieu of the
mandatory minimum term of imprisonment required under this subsection
(1)(b)(i), the court may order not less than thirty days of electronic
home monitoring. The offender shall pay the cost of electronic home
monitoring. The county or municipality in which the penalty is being
imposed shall determine the cost. The court may also require the
offender's electronic home monitoring device to include an alcohol
detection breathalyzer, and the court may restrict the amount of
alcohol the offender may consume during the time the offender is on
electronic home monitoring; and
(ii) By a fine of not less than five hundred
dollars nor more than five thousand dollars. Five hundred dollars of
the fine may not be suspended or deferred unless the court finds the
offender to be indigent.
(2) A person who is convicted of a violation
of RCW 46.61.502 or 46.61.504 and who has one prior offense within
seven years shall be punished as follows:
(a) In the case of a person whose alcohol
concentration was less than 0.15, or for whom for reasons other than
the person's refusal to take a test offered pursuant to RCW 46.20.308
there is no test result indicating the person's alcohol
concentration:
(i) By imprisonment for not less than thirty
days nor more than one year and sixty days of electronic home
monitoring. The offender shall pay for the cost of the electronic
monitoring. The county or municipality where the penalty is being
imposed shall determine the cost. The court may also require the
offender's electronic home monitoring device include an alcohol
detection breathalyzer, and may restrict the amount of alcohol the
offender may consume during the time the offender is on electronic home
monitoring. Thirty days of imprisonment and sixty days of electronic
home monitoring may not be suspended or deferred unless the court finds
that the imposition of this mandatory minimum sentence would impose a
substantial risk to the offender's physical or mental well-being.
Whenever the mandatory minimum sentence is suspended or deferred, the
court shall state in writing the reason for granting the suspension or
deferral and the facts upon which the suspension or deferral is based;
and
(ii) By a fine of not less than five hundred
dollars nor more than five thousand dollars. Five hundred dollars of
the fine may not be suspended or deferred unless the court finds the
offender to be indigent; or
(b) In the case of a person whose alcohol
concentration was at least 0.15, or for whom by reason of the person's
refusal to take a test offered pursuant to RCW 46.20.308 there is no
test result indicating the person's alcohol concentration:
(i) By imprisonment for not less than
forty-five days nor more than one year and ninety days of electronic
home monitoring. The offender shall pay for the cost of the electronic
monitoring. The county or municipality where the penalty is being
imposed shall determine the cost. The court may also require the
offender's electronic home monitoring device include an alcohol
detection breathalyzer, and may restrict the amount of alcohol the
offender may consume during the time the offender is on electronic home
monitoring. Forty-five days of imprisonment and ninety days of
electronic home monitoring may not be suspended or deferred unless the
court finds that the imposition of this mandatory minimum sentence
would impose a substantial risk to the offender's physical or mental
well-being. Whenever the mandatory minimum sentence is suspended or
deferred, the court shall state in writing the reason for granting the
suspension or deferral and the facts upon which the suspension or
deferral is based; and
(ii) By a fine of not less than seven hundred
fifty dollars nor more than five thousand dollars. Seven hundred fifty
dollars of the fine may not be suspended or deferred unless the court
finds the offender to be indigent.
(3) A person who is convicted of a violation
of RCW 46.61.502 or 46.61.504 and who has two or more prior offenses
within seven years shall be punished as follows:
(a) In the case of a person whose alcohol
concentration was less than 0.15, or for whom for reasons other than
the person's refusal to take a test offered pursuant to RCW 46.20.308
there is no test result indicating the person's alcohol
concentration:
(i) By imprisonment for not less than ninety
days nor more than one year and one hundred twenty days of electronic
home monitoring. The offender shall pay for the cost of the electronic
monitoring. The county or municipality where the penalty is being
imposed shall determine the cost. The court may also require the
offender's electronic home monitoring device include an alcohol
detection breathalyzer, and may restrict the amount of alcohol the
offender may consume during the time the offender is on electronic home
monitoring. Ninety days of imprisonment and one hundred twenty days of
electronic home monitoring may not be suspended or deferred unless the
court finds that the imposition of this mandatory minimum sentence
would impose a substantial risk to the offender's physical or mental
well-being. Whenever the mandatory minimum sentence is suspended or
deferred, the court shall state in writing the reason for granting the
suspension or deferral and the facts upon which the suspension or
deferral is based; and
(ii) By a fine of not less than one thousand
dollars nor more than five thousand dollars. One thousand dollars of
the fine may not be suspended or deferred unless the court finds the
offender to be indigent; or
(b) In the case of a person whose alcohol
concentration was at least 0.15, or for whom by reason of the person's
refusal to take a test offered pursuant to RCW 46.20.308 there is no
test result indicating the person's alcohol concentration:
(i) By imprisonment for not less than one
hundred twenty days nor more than one year and one hundred fifty days
of electronic home monitoring. The offender shall pay for the cost of
the electronic monitoring. The county or municipality where the penalty
is being imposed shall determine the cost. The court may also require
the offender's electronic home monitoring device include an alcohol
detection breathalyzer, and may restrict the amount of alcohol the
offender may consume during the time the offender is on electronic home
monitoring. One hundred twenty days of imprisonment and one hundred
fifty days of electronic home monitoring may not be suspended or
deferred unless the court finds that the imposition of this mandatory
minimum sentence would impose a substantial risk to the offender's
physical or mental well-being. Whenever the mandatory minimum sentence
is suspended or deferred, the court shall state in writing the reason
for granting the suspension or deferral and the facts upon which the
suspension or deferral is based; and
(ii) By a fine of not less than one thousand
five hundred dollars nor more than five thousand dollars. One thousand
five hundred dollars of the fine may not be suspended or deferred
unless the court finds the offender to be indigent.
(4) If a person who is convicted of a
violation of RCW 46.61.502 or 46.61.504 committed the offense while a
passenger under the age of sixteen was in the vehicle, the court
shall:
(a) In any case in which the installation and
use of an interlock or other device is not mandatory under RCW
46.20.720 or other law, order the use of such a device for not less
than sixty days following the restoration of the person's license,
permit, or nonresident driving privileges; and
(b) In any case in which the installation and
use of such a device is otherwise mandatory, order the use of such a
device for an additional sixty days.
(5) In exercising its discretion in setting
penalties within the limits allowed by this section, the court shall
particularly consider the following:
(a) Whether the person's driving at the time
of the offense was responsible for injury or damage to another or
another's property; and
(b) Whether at the time of the offense the
person was driving or in physical control of a vehicle with one or more
passengers.
(6) An offender punishable under this section
is subject to the alcohol assessment and treatment provisions of RCW
46.61.5056.
(7) The license, permit, or nonresident
privilege of a person convicted of driving or being in physical control
of a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or
drugs must:
(a) If the person's alcohol concentration was
less than 0.15, or if for reasons other than the person's refusal to
take a test offered under RCW 46.20.308 there is no test result
indicating the person's alcohol concentration:
(i) Where there has been no prior offense
within seven years, be suspended or denied by the department for ninety
days;
(ii) Where there has been one prior offense
within seven years, be revoked or denied by the department for two
years; or
(iii) Where there have been two or more prior
offenses within seven years, be revoked or denied by the department for
three years;
(b) If the person's alcohol concentration was
at least 0.15:
(i) Where there has been no prior offense
within seven years, be revoked or denied by the department for one
year;
(ii) Where there has been one prior offense
within seven years, be revoked or denied by the department for nine
hundred days; or
(iii) Where there have been two or more prior
offenses within seven years, be revoked or denied by the department for
four years; or
(c) If by reason of the person's refusal to
take a test offered under RCW 46.20.308, there is no test result
indicating the person's alcohol concentration:
(i) Where there have been no prior offenses
within seven years, be revoked or denied by the department for two
years;
(ii) Where there has been one prior offense
within seven years, be revoked or denied by the department for three
years; or
(iii) Where there have been two or more
previous offenses within seven years, be revoked or denied by the
department for four years.
The department shall grant credit on a
day-for-day basis for any portion of a suspension, revocation, or
denial already served under this subsection for a suspension,
revocation, or denial imposed under RCW 46.20.3101 arising out of the
same incident.
For purposes of this subsection (7), the
department shall refer to the driver's record maintained under RCW
46.52.120 when determining the existence of prior offenses.
(8) After expiration of any period of
suspension, revocation, or denial of the offender's license, permit, or
privilege to drive required by this section, the department shall place
the offender's driving privilege in probationary status pursuant to RCW
46.20.355.
(9)(a) In addition to any nonsuspendable and
nondeferrable jail sentence required by this section, whenever the
court imposes less than one year in jail, the court shall also suspend
but shall not defer a period of confinement for a period not exceeding
five years. The court shall impose conditions of probation that
include: (i) Not driving a motor vehicle within this state without a
valid license to drive and proof of financial responsibility for the
future; (ii) not driving a motor vehicle within this state while having
an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more within two hours after
driving; and (iii) not refusing to submit to a test of his or her
breath or blood to determine alcohol concentration upon request of a
law enforcement officer who has reasonable grounds to believe the
person was driving or was in actual physical control of a motor vehicle
within this state while under the influence of intoxicating liquor. The
court may impose conditions of probation that include nonrepetition,
installation of an ignition interlock device on the probationer's motor
vehicle, alcohol or drug treatment, supervised probation, or other
conditions that may be appropriate. The sentence may be imposed in
whole or in part upon violation of a condition of probation during the
suspension period.
(b) For each violation of mandatory conditions
of probation under (a)(i), (ii), or (iii) of this subsection, the court
shall order the convicted person to be confined for thirty days, which
shall not be suspended or deferred.
(c) For each incident involving a violation of
a mandatory condition of probation imposed under this subsection, the
license, permit, or privilege to drive of the person shall be suspended
by the court for thirty days or, if such license, permit, or privilege
to drive already is suspended, revoked, or denied at the time the
finding of probation violation is made, the suspension, revocation, or
denial then in effect shall be extended by thirty days. The court shall
notify the department of any suspension, revocation, or denial or any
extension of a suspension, revocation, or denial imposed under this
subsection.
(10) A court may waive the electronic home
monitoring requirements of this chapter when:
(a) The offender does not have a dwelling,
telephone service, or any other necessity to operate an electronic home
monitoring system;
(b) The offender does not reside in the state
of Washington; or
(c) The court determines that there is reason
to believe that the offender would violate the conditions of the
electronic home monitoring penalty.
Whenever the mandatory minimum term of
electronic home monitoring is waived, the court shall state in writing
the reason for granting the waiver and the facts upon which the waiver
is based, and shall impose an alternative sentence with similar
punitive consequences. The alternative sentence may include, but is not
limited to, additional jail time, work crew, or work camp.
Whenever the combination of jail time and
electronic home monitoring or alternative sentence would exceed three
hundred sixty-five days, the offender shall serve the jail portion of
the sentence first, and the electronic home monitoring or alternative
portion of the sentence shall be reduced so that the combination does
not exceed three hundred sixty-five days.
(11) An offender serving a sentence under this
section, whether or not a mandatory minimum term has expired, may be
granted an extraordinary medical placement by the jail administrator
subject to the standards and limitations set forth in RCW
9.94A.728(4).
(12) For purposes of this section:
(a) A "prior offense" means any of the
following:
(i) A conviction for a violation of RCW
46.61.502 or an equivalent local ordinance;
(ii) A conviction for a violation of RCW
46.61.504 or an equivalent local ordinance;
(iii) A conviction for a violation of RCW
46.61.520 committed while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or
any drug;
(iv) A conviction for a violation of RCW
46.61.522 committed while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or
any drug;
(v) A conviction for a violation of RCW
46.61.5249, 46.61.500, or 9A.36.050 or an equivalent local ordinance,
if the conviction is the result of a charge that was originally filed
as a violation of RCW 46.61.502 or 46.61.504, or an equivalent local
ordinance, or of RCW 46.61.520 or 46.61.522;
(vi) An out-of-state conviction for a
violation that would have been a violation of (a)(i), (ii), (iii),
(iv), or (v) of this subsection if committed in this state;
(vii) A deferred prosecution under chapter
10.05 RCW granted in a prosecution for a violation of RCW 46.61.502,
46.61.504, or an equivalent local ordinance; or
(viii) A deferred prosecution under chapter
10.05 RCW granted in a prosecution for a violation of RCW 46.61.5249,
or an equivalent local ordinance, if the charge under which the
deferred prosecution was granted was originally filed as a violation of
RCW 46.61.502 or 46.61.504, or an equivalent local ordinance, or of RCW
46.61.520 or 46.61.522; and
(b) "Within seven years" means that the arrest
for a prior offense occurred within seven years of the arrest for the
current offense.
(1) Except as provided in RCW 46.61.502(6) or 46.61.504(6), a person
who is convicted of a violation of RCW 46.61.502 or 46.61.504 and who
has no prior offense within seven years shall be punished as
follows:
(a) In the case of a person whose alcohol
concentration was less than 0.15, or for whom for reasons other than
the person's refusal to take a test offered pursuant to RCW 46.20.308
there is no test result indicating the person's alcohol
concentration:
(i) By imprisonment for not less than one day
nor more than one year. Twenty-four consecutive hours of the
imprisonment may not be suspended or deferred unless the court finds
that the imposition of this mandatory minimum sentence would impose a
substantial risk to the offender's physical or mental well-being.
Whenever the mandatory minimum sentence is suspended or deferred, the
court shall state in writing the reason for granting the suspension or
deferral and the facts upon which the suspension or deferral is based.
In lieu of the mandatory minimum term of imprisonment required under
this subsection (1)(a)(i), the court may order not less than fifteen
days of electronic home monitoring. The offender shall pay the cost of
electronic home monitoring. The county or municipality in which the
penalty is being imposed shall determine the cost. The court may also
require the offender's electronic home monitoring device to include an
alcohol detection breathalyzer, and the court may restrict the amount
of alcohol the offender may consume during the time the offender is on
electronic home monitoring; and
(ii) By a fine of not less than three hundred
fifty dollars nor more than five thousand dollars. Three hundred fifty
dollars of the fine may not be suspended or deferred unless the court
finds the offender to be indigent; or
(b) In the case of a person whose alcohol
concentration was at least 0.15, or for whom by reason of the person's
refusal to take a test offered pursuant to RCW 46.20.308 there is no
test result indicating the person's alcohol concentration:
(i) By imprisonment for not less than two days
nor more than one year. Two consecutive days of the imprisonment may
not be suspended or deferred unless the court finds that the imposition
of this mandatory minimum sentence would impose a substantial risk to
the offender's physical or mental well-being. Whenever the mandatory
minimum sentence is suspended or deferred, the court shall state in
writing the reason for granting the suspension or deferral and the
facts upon which the suspension or deferral is based. In lieu of the
mandatory minimum term of imprisonment required under this subsection
(1)(b)(i), the court may order not less than thirty days of electronic
home monitoring. The offender shall pay the cost of electronic home
monitoring. The county or municipality in which the penalty is being
imposed shall determine the cost. The court may also require the
offender's electronic home monitoring device to include an alcohol
detection breathalyzer, and the court may restrict the amount of
alcohol the offender may consume during the time the offender is on
electronic home monitoring; and
(ii) By a fine of not less than five hundred
dollars nor more than five thousand dollars. Five hundred dollars of
the fine may not be suspended or deferred unless the court finds the
offender to be indigent.
(2) Except as provided in RCW 46.61.502(6) or
46.61.504(6), a person who is convicted of a violation of RCW 46.61.502
or 46.61.504 and who has one prior offense within seven years shall be
punished as follows:
(a) In the case of a person whose alcohol
concentration was less than 0.15, or for whom for reasons other than
the person's refusal to take a test offered pursuant to RCW 46.20.308
there is no test result indicating the person's alcohol
concentration:
(i) By imprisonment for not less than thirty
days nor more than one year and sixty days of electronic home
monitoring. The offender shall pay for the cost of the electronic
monitoring. The county or municipality where the penalty is being
imposed shall determine the cost. The court may also require the
offender's electronic home monitoring device include an alcohol
detection breathalyzer, and may restrict the amount of alcohol the
offender may consume during the time the offender is on electronic home
monitoring. Thirty days of imprisonment and sixty days of electronic
home monitoring may not be suspended or deferred unless the court finds
that the imposition of this mandatory minimum sentence would impose a
substantial risk to the offender's physical or mental well-being.
Whenever the mandatory minimum sentence is suspended or deferred, the
court shall state in writing the reason for granting the suspension or
deferral and the facts upon which the suspension or deferral is based;
and
(ii) By a fine of not less than five hundred
dollars nor more than five thousand dollars. Five hundred dollars of
the fine may not be suspended or deferred unless the court finds the
offender to be indigent; or
(b) In the case of a person whose alcohol
concentration was at least 0.15, or for whom by reason of the person's
refusal to take a test offered pursuant to RCW 46.20.308 there is no
test result indicating the person's alcohol concentration:
(i) By imprisonment for not less than
forty-five days nor more than one year and ninety days of electronic
home monitoring. The offender shall pay for the cost of the electronic
monitoring. The county or municipality where the penalty is being
imposed shall determine the cost. The court may also require the
offender's electronic home monitoring device include an alcohol
detection breathalyzer, and may restrict the amount of alcohol the
offender may consume during the time the offender is on electronic home
monitoring. Forty-five days of imprisonment and ninety days of
electronic home monitoring may not be suspended or deferred unless the
court finds that the imposition of this mandatory minimum sentence
would impose a substantial risk to the offender's physical or mental
well-being. Whenever the mandatory minimum sentence is suspended or
deferred, the court shall state in writing the reason for granting the
suspension or deferral and the facts upon which the suspension or
deferral is based; and
(ii) By a fine of not less than seven hundred
fifty dollars nor more than five thousand dollars. Seven hundred fifty
dollars of the fine may not be suspended or deferred unless the court
finds the offender to be indigent.
(3) Except as provided in RCW 46.61.502(6) or
46.61.504(6), a person who is convicted of a violation of RCW 46.61.502
or 46.61.504 and who has two or three prior offenses within seven years
shall be punished as follows:
(a) In the case of a person whose alcohol
concentration was less than 0.15, or for whom for reasons other than
the person's refusal to take a test offered pursuant to RCW 46.20.308
there is no test result indicating the person's alcohol
concentration:
(i) By imprisonment for not less than ninety
days nor more than one year and one hundred twenty days of electronic
home monitoring. The offender shall pay for the cost of the electronic
monitoring. The county or municipality where the penalty is being
imposed shall determine the cost. The court may also require the
offender's electronic home monitoring device include an alcohol
detection breathalyzer, and may restrict the amount of alcohol the
offender may consume during the time the offender is on electronic home
monitoring. Ninety days of imprisonment and one hundred twenty days of
electronic home monitoring may not be suspended or deferred unless the
court finds that the imposition of this mandatory minimum sentence
would impose a substantial risk to the offender's physical or mental
well-being. Whenever the mandatory minimum sentence is suspended or
deferred, the court shall state in writing the reason for granting the
suspension or deferral and the facts upon which the suspension or
deferral is based; and
(ii) By a fine of not less than one thousand
dollars nor more than five thousand dollars. One thousand dollars of
the fine may not be suspended or deferred unless the court finds the
offender to be indigent; or
(b) In the case of a person whose alcohol
concentration was at least 0.15, or for whom by reason of the person's
refusal to take a test offered pursuant to RCW 46.20.308 there is no
test result indicating the person's alcohol concentration:
(i) By imprisonment for not less than one
hundred twenty days nor more than one year and one hundred fifty days
of electronic home monitoring. The offender shall pay for the cost of
the electronic monitoring. The county or municipality where the penalty
is being imposed shall determine the cost. The court may also require
the offender's electronic home monitoring device include an alcohol
detection breathalyzer, and may restrict the amount of alcohol the
offender may consume during the time the offender is on electronic home
monitoring. One hundred twenty days of imprisonment and one hundred
fifty days of electronic home monitoring may not be suspended or
deferred unless the court finds that the imposition of this mandatory
minimum sentence would impose a substantial risk to the offender's
physical or mental well-being. Whenever the mandatory minimum sentence
is suspended or deferred, the court shall state in writing the reason
for granting the suspension or deferral and the facts upon which the
suspension or deferral is based; and
(ii) By a fine of not less than one thousand
five hundred dollars nor more than five thousand dollars. One thousand
five hundred dollars of the fine may not be suspended or deferred
unless the court finds the offender to be indigent.
(4) A person who is convicted of a violation
of RCW 46.61.502 or 46.61.504 and who has four or more prior offenses
within ten years, or who has ever previously been convicted of a
violation of RCW 46.61.520 committed while under the influence of
intoxicating liquor or any drug or RCW 46.61.522 committed while under
the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug, shall be punished in
accordance with chapter 9.94A RCW.
(5) If a person who is convicted of a
violation of RCW 46.61.502 or 46.61.504 committed the offense while a
passenger under the age of sixteen was in the vehicle, the court
shall:
(a) In any case in which the installation and
use of an interlock or other device is not mandatory under RCW
46.20.720 or other law, order the use of such a device for not less
than sixty days following the restoration of the person's license,
permit, or nonresident driving privileges; and
(b) In any case in which the installation and
use of such a device is otherwise mandatory, order the use of such a
device for an additional sixty days.
(6) In exercising its discretion in setting
penalties within the limits allowed by this section, the court shall
particularly consider the following:
(a) Whether the person's driving at the time
of the offense was responsible for injury or damage to another or
another's property; and
(b) Whether at the time of the offense the
person was driving or in physical control of a vehicle with one or more
passengers.
(7) An offender punishable under this section
is subject to the alcohol assessment and treatment provisions of RCW
46.61.5056.
(8) The license, permit, or nonresident
privilege of a person convicted of driving or being in physical control
of a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or
drugs must:
(a) If the person's alcohol concentration was
less than 0.15, or if for reasons other than the person's refusal to
take a test offered under RCW 46.20.308 there is no test result
indicating the person's alcohol concentration:
(i) Where there has been no prior offense
within seven years, be suspended or denied by the department for ninety
days;
(ii) Where there has been one prior offense
within seven years, be revoked or denied by the department for two
years; or
(iii) Where there have been two or more prior
offenses within seven years, be revoked or denied by the department for
three years;
(b) If the person's alcohol concentration was
at least 0.15:
(i) Where there has been no prior offense
within seven years, be revoked or denied by the department for one
year;
(ii) Where there has been one prior offense
within seven years, be revoked or denied by the department for nine
hundred days; or
(iii) Where there have been two or more prior
offenses within seven years, be revoked or denied by the department for
four years; or
(c) If by reason of the person's refusal to
take a test offered under RCW 46.20.308, there is no test result
indicating the person's alcohol concentration:
(i) Where there have been no prior offenses
within seven years, be revoked or denied by the department for two
years;
(ii) Where there has been one prior offense
within seven years, be revoked or denied by the department for three
years; or
(iii) Where there have been two or more
previous offenses within seven years, be revoked or denied by the
department for four years.
The department shall grant credit on a
day-for-day basis for any portion of a suspension, revocation, or
denial already served under this subsection for a suspension,
revocation, or denial imposed under RCW 46.20.3101 arising out of the
same incident.
For purposes of this subsection (8), the
department shall refer to the driver's record maintained under RCW
46.52.120 when determining the existence of prior offenses.
(9) After expiration of any period of
suspension, revocation, or denial of the offender's license, permit, or
privilege to drive required by this section, the department shall place
the offender's driving privilege in probationary status pursuant to RCW
46.20.355.
(10)(a) In addition to any nonsuspendable and
nondeferrable jail sentence required by this section, whenever the
court imposes less than one year in jail, the court shall also suspend
but shall not defer a period of confinement for a period not exceeding
five years. The court shall impose conditions of probation that
include: (i) Not driving a motor vehicle within this state without a
valid license to drive and proof of financial responsibility for the
future; (ii) not driving a motor vehicle within this state while having
an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more within two hours after
driving; and (iii) not refusing to submit to a test of his or her
breath or blood to determine alcohol concentration upon request of a
law enforcement officer who has reasonable grounds to believe the
person was driving or was in actual physical control of a motor vehicle
within this state while under the influence of intoxicating liquor. The
court may impose conditions of probation that include nonrepetition,
installation of an ignition interlock device on the probationer's motor
vehicle, alcohol or drug treatment, supervised probation, or other
conditions that may be appropriate. The sentence may be imposed in
whole or in part upon violation of a condition of probation during the
suspension period.
(b) For each violation of mandatory conditions
of probation under (a)(i), (ii), or (iii) of this subsection, the court
shall order the convicted person to be confined for thirty days, which
shall not be suspended or deferred.
(c) For each incident involving a violation of
a mandatory condition of probation imposed under this subsection, the
license, permit, or privilege to drive of the person shall be suspended
by the court for thirty days or, if such license, permit, or privilege
to drive already is suspended, revoked, or denied at the time the
finding of probation violation is made, the suspension, revocation, or
denial then in effect shall be extended by thirty days. The court shall
notify the department of any suspension, revocation, or denial or any
extension of a suspension, revocation, or denial imposed under this
subsection.
(11) A court may waive the electronic home
monitoring requirements of this chapter when:
(a) The offender does not have a dwelling,
telephone service, or any other necessity to operate an electronic home
monitoring system;
(b) The offender does not reside in the state
of Washington; or
(c) The court determines that there is reason
to believe that the offender would violate the conditions of the
electronic home monitoring penalty.
Whenever the mandatory minimum term of
electronic home monitoring is waived, the court shall state in writing
the reason for granting the waiver and the facts upon which the waiver
is based, and shall impose an alternative sentence with similar
punitive consequences. The alternative sentence may include, but is not
limited to, additional jail time, work crew, or work camp.
Whenever the combination of jail time and
electronic home monitoring or alternative sentence would exceed three
hundred sixty-five days, the offender shall serve the jail portion of
the sentence first, and the electronic home monitoring or alternative
portion of the sentence shall be reduced so that the combination does
not exceed three hundred sixty-five days.
(12) An offender serving a sentence under this
section, whether or not a mandatory minimum term has expired, may be
granted an extraordinary medical placement by the jail administrator
subject to the standards and limitations set forth in RCW
9.94A.728(4).
(13) For purposes of this section and RCW
46.61.502 and 46.61.504:
(a) A "prior offense" means any of the
following:
(i) A conviction for a violation of RCW
46.61.502 or an equivalent local ordinance;
(ii) A conviction for a violation of RCW
46.61.504 or an equivalent local ordinance;
(iii) A conviction for a violation of RCW
46.61.520 committed while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or
any drug;
(iv) A conviction for a violation of RCW
46.61.522 committed while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or
any drug;
(v) A conviction for a violation of RCW
46.61.5249, 46.61.500, or 9A.36.050 or an equivalent local ordinance,
if the conviction is the result of a charge that was originally filed
as a violation of RCW 46.61.502 or 46.61.504, or an equivalent local
ordinance, or of RCW 46.61.520 or 46.61.522;
(vi) An out-of-state conviction for a
violation that would have been a violation of (a)(i), (ii), (iii),
(iv), or (v) of this subsection if committed in this state;
(vii) A deferred prosecution under chapter
10.05 RCW granted in a prosecution for a violation of RCW 46.61.502,
46.61.504, or an equivalent local ordinance; or
(viii) A deferred prosecution under chapter
10.05 RCW granted in a prosecution for a violation of RCW 46.61.5249,
or an equivalent local ordinance, if the charge under which the
deferred prosecution was granted was originally filed as a violation of
RCW 46.61.502 or 46.61.504, or an equivalent local ordinance, or of RCW
46.61.520 or 46.61.522; and
(b) "Within seven years" means that the arrest
for a prior offense occurred within seven years of the arrest for the
current offense.
(1) A person subject to alcohol assessment and treatment under RCW
46.61.5055 shall be required by the court to complete a course in an
alcohol information school approved by the department of social and
health services or to complete more intensive treatment in a program
approved by the department of social and health services, as determined
by the court. The court shall notify the department of licensing
whenever it orders a person to complete a course or treatment program
under this section.
(2) A diagnostic evaluation and treatment
recommendation shall be prepared under the direction of the court by an
alcoholism agency approved by the department of social and health
services or a qualified probation department approved by the department
of social and health services. A copy of the report shall be forwarded
to the department of licensing. Based on the diagnostic evaluation, the
court shall determine whether the person shall be required to complete
a course in an alcohol information school approved by the department of
social and health services or more intensive treatment in a program
approved by the department of social and health services.
(3) Standards for approval for alcohol
treatment programs shall be prescribed by the department of social and
health services. The department of social and health services shall
periodically review the costs of alcohol information schools and
treatment programs.
(4) Any agency that provides treatment ordered
under RCW 46.61.5055, shall immediately report to the appropriate
probation department where applicable, otherwise to the court, and to
the department of licensing any noncompliance by a person with the
conditions of his or her ordered treatment. The court shall notify the
department of licensing and the department of social and health
services of any failure by an agency to so report noncompliance. Any
agency with knowledge of noncompliance that fails to so report shall be
fined two hundred fifty dollars by the department of social and health
services. Upon three such failures by an agency within one year, the
department of social and health services shall revoke the agency's
approval under this section.
(5) The department of licensing and the
department of social and health services may adopt such rules as are
necessary to carry out this section.
(1) A defendant who is charged with an offense involving driving
while under the influence as defined in RCW 46.61.502, driving under
age twenty-one after consuming alcohol as defined in RCW 46.61.503, or
being in physical control of a vehicle while under the influence as
defined in RCW 46.61.504, shall be required to appear in person before
a judicial officer within one judicial day after the arrest if the
defendant is served with a citation or complaint at the time of the
arrest. A court may by local court rule waive the requirement for
appearance within one judicial day if it provides for the appearance at
the earliest practicable day following arrest and establishes the
method for identifying that day in the rule.
(2) A defendant who is charged with an offense
involving driving while under the influence as defined in RCW
46.61.502, driving under age twenty-one after consuming alcohol as
defined in RCW 46.61.503, or being in physical control of a vehicle
while under the influence as defined in RCW 46.61.504, and who is not
served with a citation or complaint at the time of the incident, shall
appear in court for arraignment in person as soon as practicable, but
in no event later than fourteen days after the next day on which court
is in session following the issuance of the citation or the filing of
the complaint or information.
(3) At the time of an appearance required by
this section, the court shall determine the necessity of imposing
conditions of pretrial release according to the procedures established
by court rule for a preliminary appearance or an arraignment.
(4) Appearances required by this section are
mandatory and may not be waived.
(1) Upon the arrest of a person or upon the filing of a complaint,
citation, or information in a court of competent jurisdiction, based
upon probable cause to believe that a person has violated RCW 46.61.502
or 46.61.504 or any similar municipal ordinance, if such person has a
prior offense within seven years as defined in RCW 46.61.5055, and
where the person has been provided written notice that any transfer,
sale, or encumbrance of such person's interest in the vehicle over
which that person was actually driving or had physical control when the
violation occurred, is unlawful pending either acquittal, dismissal,
sixty days after conviction, or other termination of the charge, such
person shall be prohibited from encumbering, selling, or transferring
his or her interest in such vehicle, except as otherwise provided in
(a), (b), and (c) of this subsection, until either acquittal,
dismissal, sixty days after conviction, or other termination of the
charge. The prohibition against transfer of title shall not be stayed
pending the determination of an appeal from the conviction.
(a) A vehicle encumbered by a bona fide
security interest may be transferred to the secured party or to a
person designated by the secured party;
(b) A leased or rented vehicle may be
transferred to the lessor, rental agency, or to a person designated by
the lessor or rental agency; and
(c) A vehicle may be transferred to a third
party or a vehicle dealer who is a bona fide purchaser or may be
subject to a bona fide security interest in the vehicle unless it is
established that (i) in the case of a purchase by a third party or
vehicle dealer, such party or dealer had actual notice that the vehicle
was subject to the prohibition prior to the purchase, or (ii) in the
case of a security interest, the holder of the security interest had
actual notice that the vehicle was subject to the prohibition prior to
the encumbrance of title.
(2) On conviction for a violation of either
RCW 46.61.502 or 46.61.504 or any similar municipal ordinance where the
person convicted has a prior offense within seven years as defined in
RCW 46.61.5055, the motor vehicle the person was driving or over which
the person had actual physical control at the time of the offense, if
the person has a financial interest in the vehicle, is subject to
seizure and forfeiture pursuant to this section.
(3) A vehicle subject to forfeiture under this
chapter may be seized by a law enforcement officer of this state upon
process issued by a court of competent jurisdiction. Seizure of a
vehicle may be made without process if the vehicle subject to seizure
has been the subject of a prior judgment in favor of the state in a
forfeiture proceeding based upon this section.
(4) Seizure under subsection (3) of this
section automatically commences proceedings for forfeiture. The law
enforcement agency under whose authority the seizure was made shall
cause notice of the seizure and intended forfeiture of the seized
vehicle to be served within fifteen days after the seizure on the owner
of the vehicle seized, on the person in charge of the vehicle, and on
any person having a known right or interest in the vehicle, including a
community property interest. The notice of seizure may be served by any
method authorized by law or court rule, including but not limited to
service by certified mail with return receipt requested. Service by
mail is complete upon mailing within the fifteen-day period after the
seizure. Notice of seizure in the case of property subject to a
security interest that has been perfected on a certificate of title
shall be made by service upon the secured party or the secured party's
assignee at the address shown on the financing statement or the
certificate of title.
(5) If no person notifies the seizing law
enforcement agency in writing of the person's claim of ownership or
right to possession of the seized vehicle within forty-five days of the
seizure, the vehicle is deemed forfeited.
(6) If a person notifies the seizing law
enforcement agency in writing of the person's claim of ownership or
right to possession of the seized vehicle within forty-five days of the
seizure, the law enforcement agency shall give the person or persons a
reasonable opportunity to be heard as to the claim or right. The
hearing shall be before the chief law enforcement officer of the
seizing agency or the chief law enforcement officer's designee, except
where the seizing agency is a state agency as defined in RCW 34.12.020,
the hearing shall be before the chief law enforcement officer of the
seizing agency or an administrative law judge appointed under chapter
34.12 RCW, except that any person asserting a claim or right may remove
the matter to a court of competent jurisdiction. Removal may only be
accomplished according to the rules of civil procedure. The person
seeking removal of the matter must serve process against the state,
county, political subdivision, or municipality that operates the
seizing agency, and any other party of interest, in accordance with RCW
4.28.080 or 4.92.020, within forty-five days after the person seeking
removal has notified the seizing law enforcement agency of the person's
claim of ownership or right to possession. The court to which the
matter is to be removed shall be the district court when the aggregate
value of the vehicle is within the jurisdictional limit set forth in
RCW 3.66.020. A hearing before the seizing agency and any appeal
therefrom shall be under Title 34 RCW. In a court hearing between two
or more claimants to the vehicle involved, the prevailing party shall
be entitled to a judgment for costs and reasonable attorneys' fees. The
burden of producing evidence shall be upon the person claiming to be
the legal owner or the person claiming to have the lawful right to
possession of the vehicle. The seizing law enforcement agency shall
promptly return the vehicle to the claimant upon a determination by the
administrative law judge or court that the claimant is the present
legal owner under Title 46 RCW or is lawfully entitled to possession of
the vehicle.
(7) When a vehicle is forfeited under this
chapter the seizing law enforcement agency may sell the vehicle, retain
it for official use, or upon application by a law enforcement agency of
this state release the vehicle to that agency for the exclusive use of
enforcing this title; provided, however, that the agency shall first
satisfy any bona fide security interest to which the vehicle is subject
under subsection (1)(a) or (c) of this section.
(8) When a vehicle is forfeited, the seizing
agency shall keep a record indicating the identity of the prior owner,
if known, a description of the vehicle, the disposition of the vehicle,
the value of the vehicle at the time of seizure, and the amount of
proceeds realized from disposition of the vehicle.
(9) Each seizing agency shall retain records
of forfeited vehicles for at least seven years.
(10) Each seizing agency shall file a report
including a copy of the records of forfeited vehicles with the state
treasurer each calendar quarter.
(11) The quarterly report need not include a
record of a forfeited vehicle that is still being held for use as
evidence during the investigation or prosecution of a case or during
the appeal from a conviction.
(12) By January 31st of each year, each
seizing agency shall remit to the state treasurer an amount equal to
ten percent of the net proceeds of vehicles forfeited during the
preceding calendar year. Money remitted shall be deposited in the
public safety and education account.
(13) The net proceeds of a forfeited vehicle
is the value of the forfeitable interest in the vehicle after deducting
the cost of satisfying a bona fide security interest to which the
vehicle is subject at the time of seizure; and in the case of a sold
vehicle, after deducting the cost of sale, including reasonable fees or
commissions paid to independent selling agents.
(14) The value of a sold forfeited vehicle is
the sale price. The value of a retained forfeited vehicle is the fair
market value of the vehicle at the time of seizure, determined when
possible by reference to an applicable commonly used index, such as the
index used by the department of licensing. A seizing agency may, but
need not, use an independent qualified appraiser to determine the value
of retained vehicles. If an appraiser is used, the value of the vehicle
appraised is net of the cost of the appraisal.
[1998 c 207 § 2; 1995 c 332 § 6; 1994 c 139 § 1.]
Notes:
(1) Upon the trial of any civil or criminal action or proceeding
arising out of acts alleged to have been committed by any person while
driving or in actual physical control of a vehicle while under the
influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug, if the person's alcohol
concentration is less than 0.08, it is evidence that may be considered
with other competent evidence in determining whether the person was
under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug.
(2) The breath analysis shall be based upon
grams of alcohol per two hundred ten liters of breath. The foregoing
provisions of this section shall not be construed as limiting the
introduction of any other competent evidence bearing upon the question
whether the person was under the influence of intoxicating liquor or
any drug.
(3) Analysis of the person's blood or breath
to be considered valid under the provisions of this section or RCW
46.61.502 or 46.61.504 shall have been performed according to methods
approved by the state toxicologist and by an individual possessing a
valid permit issued by the state toxicologist for this purpose. The
state toxicologist is directed to approve satisfactory techniques or
methods, to supervise the examination of individuals to ascertain their
qualifications and competence to conduct such analyses, and to issue
permits which shall be subject to termination or revocation at the
discretion of the state toxicologist.
(4)(a) A breath test performed by any
instrument approved by the state toxicologist shall be admissible at
trial or in an administrative proceeding if the prosecution or
department produces prima facie evidence of the following:
(i) The person who performed the test was
authorized to perform such test by the state toxicologist;
(ii) The person being tested did not vomit or
have anything to eat, drink, or smoke for at least fifteen minutes
prior to administration of the test;
(iii) The person being tested did not have any
foreign substances, not to include dental work, fixed or removable, in
his or her mouth at the beginning of the fifteen-minute observation
period;
(iv) Prior to the start of the test, the
temperature of the simulator solution as measured by a thermometer
approved of by the state toxicologist was thirty-four degrees
centigrade plus or minus 0.3 degrees centigrade;
(v) The internal standard test resulted in the
message "verified";
(vi) The two breath samples agree to within
plus or minus ten percent of their mean to be determined by the method
approved by the state toxicologist;
(vii) The simulator external standard result
did lie between .072 to .088 inclusive; and
(viii) All blank tests gave results of
.000.
(b) For purposes of this section, "prima facie
evidence" is evidence of sufficient circumstances that would support a
logical and reasonable inference of the facts sought to be proved. In
assessing whether there is sufficient evidence of the foundational
facts, the court or administrative tribunal is to assume the truth of
the prosecution's or department's evidence and all reasonable
inferences from it in a light most favorable to the prosecution or
department.
(c) Nothing in this section shall be deemed to
prevent the subject of the test from challenging the reliability or
accuracy of the test, the reliability or functioning of the instrument,
or any maintenance procedures. Such challenges, however, shall not
preclude the admissibility of the test once the prosecution or
department has made a prima facie showing of the requirements contained
in (a) of this subsection. Instead, such challenges may be considered
by the trier of fact in determining what weight to give to the test
result.
(5) When a blood test is administered under
the provisions of RCW 46.20.308, the withdrawal of blood for the
purpose of determining its alcoholic or drug content may be performed
only by a physician, a registered nurse, a licensed practical nurse, a
nursing assistant as defined in chapter 18.88A RCW, a physician
assistant as defined in chapter 18.71A RCW, a first responder as
defined in chapter 18.73 RCW, an emergency medical technician as
defined in chapter 18.73 RCW, a health care assistant as defined in
chapter 18.135 RCW, or any technician trained in withdrawing blood.
This limitation shall not apply to the taking of breath
specimens.
(6) The person tested may have a physician, or
a qualified technician, chemist, registered nurse, or other qualified
person of his or her own choosing administer one or more tests in
addition to any administered at the direction of a law enforcement
officer. The test will be admissible if the person establishes the
general acceptability of the testing technique or method. The failure
or inability to obtain an additional test by a person shall not
preclude the admission of evidence relating to the test or tests taken
at the direction of a law enforcement officer.
(7) Upon the request of the person who shall
submit to a test or tests at the request of a law enforcement officer,
full information concerning the test or tests shall be made available
to him or her or his or her attorney.
A sentencing court may allow persons convicted of violating RCW
46.61.502 or 46.61.504 to fulfill the terms of the sentence provided in
RCW 46.61.5055 in nonconsecutive or intermittent time periods. However,
any mandatory minimum sentence under RCW 46.61.5055 shall be served
consecutively unless suspended or deferred as otherwise provided by
law.
A sentencing court may allow a person convicted of a nonfelony
violation of RCW 46.61.502 or 46.61.504 to fulfill the terms of the
sentence provided in RCW 46.61.5055 in nonconsecutive or intermittent
time periods. However, any mandatory minimum sentence under RCW
46.61.5055 shall be served consecutively unless suspended or deferred
as otherwise provided by law.
The refusal of a person to submit to a test of the alcohol or drug
concentration in the person's blood or breath under RCW 46.20.308 is
admissible into evidence at a subsequent criminal trial.
(1) It is a traffic infraction to drink any
alcoholic beverage in a motor vehicle when the vehicle is upon a
highway.
(2) It is a traffic infraction for a person to
have in his possession while in a motor vehicle upon a highway, a
bottle, can, or other receptacle containing an alcoholic beverage if
the container has been opened or a seal broken or the contents
partially removed.
(3) It is a traffic infraction for the
registered owner of a motor vehicle, or the driver if the registered
owner is not then present in the vehicle, to keep in a motor vehicle
when the vehicle is upon a highway, a bottle, can, or other receptacle
containing an alcoholic beverage which has been opened or a seal broken
or the contents partially removed, unless the container is kept in the
trunk of the vehicle or in some other area of the vehicle not normally
occupied by the driver or passengers if the vehicle does not have a
trunk. A utility compartment or glove compartment is deemed to be
within the area occupied by the driver and passengers.
(4) This section does not apply to a public
conveyance that has been commercially chartered for group use or to the
living quarters of a motor home or camper or, except as otherwise
provided by RCW 66.44.250 or local law, to any passenger for
compensation in a for-hire vehicle licensed under city, county, or
state law, or to a privately-owned vehicle operated by a person
possessing a valid operator's license endorsed for the appropriate
classification under chapter 46.25 RCW in the course of his usual
employment transporting passengers at the employer's direction:
PROVIDED, That nothing in this subsection shall be construed to
authorize possession or consumption of an alcoholic beverage by the
operator of any vehicle while upon a highway.
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