H-3718.2  _______________________________________________

 

                          HOUSE BILL 2608

          _______________________________________________

 

State of Washington      55th Legislature     1998 Regular Session

 

By Representatives O'Brien, Ballasiotes, Radcliff, Benson, Scott, D. Sommers, Carlson, Costa and Dyer

 

Read first time 01/16/98.  Referred to Committee on Law & Justice.

Strengthening DUI laws.


    AN ACT Relating to driving under the influence; amending RCW 10.05.010, 46.20.720, 46.20.740, 46.61.502, 46.61.504, 46.61.5056, 46.61.506, and 46.61.520; reenacting and amending RCW 46.61.5055; and prescribing penalties.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

 

    Sec. 1.  RCW 10.05.010 and 1985 c 352 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:

    In a court of limited jurisdiction a person charged with a misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor may petition the court to be considered for a deferred prosecution program.  The petition shall be filed with the court at least seven days before the date set for trial but, upon a written motion and affidavit establishing good cause for the delay and failure to comply with this section, the court may waive this requirement subject to the defendant's reimbursement to the court of the witness fees and expenses due for subpoenaed witnesses who have appeared on the date set for trial.

    A person charged with a traffic infraction, misdemeanor, or gross misdemeanor under Title 46 RCW shall not be eligible for a deferred prosecution program unless the court makes specific findings pursuant to RCW 10.05.020.  Such person ((shall not be)) is eligible for a deferred prosecution program ((more than)) only once in any five-year period, except that if the person had a previous deferred prosecution at any time that was based on a charge that was originally filed as a violation of RCW 46.61.502 or 46.61.504, or an equivalent local ordinance, the person is permanently ineligible for deferred prosecution under subsequent charges that are originally filed as violations of those provisions.  Separate offenses committed more than seven days apart may not be consolidated in a single program.

 

    Sec. 2.  RCW 46.20.720 and 1997 c 229 s 8 are each amended to read as follows:

    The court may order that after a period of suspension, revocation, or denial of driving privileges, ((and for up to as long as the court has jurisdiction,)) any person convicted of ((any offense involving the use, consumption, or possession of alcohol while operating a motor vehicle)) a violation of RCW 46.61.502 or 46.61.504, or an equivalent local ordinance, may drive only a motor vehicle equipped with a functioning ignition interlock or other biological or technical device.

    The court shall establish a specific calibration setting at which the ignition interlock or other biological or technical device will prevent the motor vehicle from being started ((and)).  The period of time that the person shall be subject to the restriction will be as specified by RCW 46.61.5055.

    The court shall place the person under the supervision of the department for the duration of the restriction.  The department shall monitor the device to ensure its proper operation and the compliance of the offender.  If the department detects any sign of tampering with the device or determines that the person has violated the restriction, the department shall immediately suspend the person's driver's license, subject to the hearing procedures of this chapter.  If, after the hearing, the department determines that the device has been tampered with or that the person has violated the restriction, the department shall revoke the person's license or permit to drive, or suspend any nonresident privilege to drive, for no less than the appropriate period specified by RCW 46.61.5055.

    For purposes of this section, "convicted" means being found guilty of an offense or being placed on a deferred prosecution program under chapter 10.05 RCW.

 

    Sec. 3.  RCW 46.20.740 and 1997 c 229 s 10 are each amended to read as follows:

    (1) The department shall attach or imprint a notation on the driver's license of any person restricted under RCW 46.20.720 or 46.61.5055 stating that the person may operate only a motor vehicle equipped with an ignition interlock or other biological or technical device.

    (2) It is a misdemeanor for a person with such a notation on his or her driver's license to operate a motor vehicle that is not so equipped.  A law enforcement officer issuing a citation for a violation of this section shall notify the department of the citation within twenty-four hours.

 

    Sec. 4.  RCW 46.61.502 and 1994 c 275 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:

    (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 ((0.10)) 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 ((0.10)) 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 ((0.10)) 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.

 

    Sec. 5.  RCW 46.61.504 and 1994 c 275 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:

    (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 ((0.10)) 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 ((0.10)) 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 ((0.10)) 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.

 

    Sec. 6.  RCW 46.61.5055 and 1997 c 229 s 11 and 1997 c 66 s 14 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows:

    (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 five years shall be punished as follows:

    (a) In the case of a person whose alcohol concentration was at least 0.08, but 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; 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; and

    (iii) By suspension of the offender's license or permit to drive, or suspension of any nonresident privilege to drive, for a period of ninety days.  The period of license, permit, or privilege suspension may not be suspended.  The court shall notify the department of licensing of the conviction, and upon receiving notification of the conviction the department shall suspend the offender's license, permit, or privilege; 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; 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; and

    (iii) By revocation of the offender's license or permit to drive, or suspension of any nonresident privilege to drive, for a period of one year.  The period of license, permit, or privilege suspension may not be suspended.  The court shall notify the department of licensing of the conviction, and upon receiving notification of the conviction the department shall suspend the offender's license, permit, or privilege.

    (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 five years shall be punished as follows:

    (a) In the case of a person whose alcohol concentration was at least 0.08, but 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.  Thirty 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; and

    (ii) By a fine of not less than ((five hundred)) one thousand dollars nor more than five thousand dollars.  ((Five hundred)) One thousand dollars of the fine may not be suspended or deferred unless the court finds the offender to be indigent; and

    (iii) By revocation of the offender's license or permit to drive, or suspension of any nonresident privilege to drive, for a period of ((two)) five years.  The period of license, permit, or privilege revocation may not be suspended.  The court shall notify the department of licensing of the conviction, and upon receiving notification of the conviction the department shall revoke the offender's license, permit, or privilege; and

    (iv) By a court-ordered restriction under RCW 46.20.720 to driving only a motor vehicle equipped with a functioning ignition interlock or other biological or technical device for a period of not less than five years; 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)) ninety days nor more than one year.  ((Forty-five)) Ninety 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; and

    (ii) By a fine of not less than ((seven hundred fifty)) one thousand five hundred dollars nor more than five thousand dollars.  ((Seven hundred fifty)) One thousand five hundred dollars of the fine may not be suspended or deferred unless the court finds the offender to be indigent; and

    (iii) By revocation of the offender's license or permit to drive, or suspension of any nonresident privilege to drive, for a period of ((nine hundred days)) five years.  The period of license, permit, or privilege revocation may not be suspended.  The court shall notify the department of licensing of the conviction, and upon receiving notification of the conviction the department shall revoke the offender's license, permit, or privilege; and

    (iv) By a court-ordered restriction under RCW 46.20.720 to driving only a motor vehicle equipped with a functioning ignition interlock or other biological or technical device for a period of not less than five years.

    (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 five years shall be punished as follows:

    (a) In the case of a person whose alcohol concentration was at least 0.08, but 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)) six months nor more than one year.  ((Ninety days)) Six months 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.  The court may suspend any part of the sentence above the mandatory minimum for up to two years, contingent upon the defendant's successful participation in active probation supervision; and

    (ii) By a fine of not less than ((one)) five thousand dollars nor more than ((five)) ten thousand dollars.  ((One)) Five thousand dollars of the fine may not be suspended or deferred unless the court finds the offender to be indigent; and

    (iii) By a permanent revocation of the offender's license or permit to drive, or a permanent suspension of any nonresident privilege to drive((, for a period of three years)).  The ((period of)) permanent license, permit, or privilege revocation may not be suspended.  The court shall notify the department of licensing of the conviction, and upon receiving notification of the conviction the department shall permanently revoke the offender's license, permit, or privilege; and

    (iv) By a court-ordered permanent, lifetime restriction under RCW 46.20.720 to driving only a motor vehicle equipped with a functioning ignition interlock or other biological or technical device; 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)) six months nor more than one year.  ((One hundred twenty days)) Six months 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.  The court may suspend any part of the sentence above the mandatory minimum for up to two years, contingent upon the defendant's successful participation in active probation supervision; and

    (ii) By a fine of not less than ((one)) five thousand ((five hundred)) dollars nor more than ((five)) ten thousand dollars.  ((One)) Five thousand ((five hundred)) dollars of the fine may not be suspended or deferred unless the court finds the offender to be indigent; and

    (iii) By a permanent revocation of the offender's license or permit to drive, or a permanent suspension of any nonresident privilege to drive((, for a period of four years)).  The ((period of)) permanent license, permit, or privilege revocation may not be suspended.  The court shall notify the department of licensing of the conviction, and upon receiving notification of the conviction the department shall permanently revoke the offender's license, permit, or privilege; and

    (iv) By a court-ordered permanent, lifetime restriction under RCW 46.20.720 to driving only a motor vehicle equipped with a functioning ignition interlock or other biological or technical device.

    (4) In exercising its discretion in setting penalties within the limits allowed by this section, the court shall particularly consider whether the person's driving at the time of the offense was responsible for injury or damage to another or another's property.

    (5) An offender punishable under this section is subject to the alcohol assessment and treatment provisions of RCW 46.61.5056.

    (6) After expiration of any period of suspension or revocation 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.

    (7)(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 two 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)) 0.04 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 or other biological or technical 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) and (ii) or (a)(i) and (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.

    (8)(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 9A.36.050, 46.61.5249, 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 9A.36.050, 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.

    (b) "Within five years" means that the arrest for a prior offense occurred within five years of the arrest for the current offense.

 

    Sec. 7.  RCW 46.61.5056 and 1995 c 332 s 14 are each amended to read as follows:

    (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.  A person convicted of an alcohol related offense under RCW 46.61.5055 who is not referred to outpatient or inpatient treatment must attend and complete an alcohol information course that is 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.

 

    Sec. 8.  RCW 46.61.506 and 1995 c 332 s 18 are each amended to read as follows:

    (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 ((0.10)) 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) 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, or a qualified technician.  This limitation shall not apply to the taking of breath specimens.

    (5) 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 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.

    (6) 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.

 

    Sec. 9.  RCW 46.61.520 and 1996 c 199 s 7 are each amended to read as follows:

    (1) When the death of any person ensues within three years as a proximate result of injury proximately caused by the driving of any vehicle by any person, the driver is guilty of vehicular homicide if the driver was operating a motor vehicle:

    (a) While under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug, as defined by RCW 46.61.502; or

    (b) In a reckless manner; or

    (c) With disregard for the safety of others.

    (2) Vehicular homicide is a class A felony punishable under chapter 9A.20 RCW.

    (3) A person convicted of vehicular homicide under subsection (1)(a) of this section must be sentenced to a term of at least five years in a state correctional institution.

 


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