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               ENGROSSED SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL 6475

          _______________________________________________

 

State of Washington      55th Legislature     1998 Regular Session

 

By Senate Committee on Law & Justice (originally sponsored by Senators Roach, Fairley, Patterson, Kline, Haugen, McAuliffe, Goings, Kohl, Rasmussen and Oke; by request of Governor Locke)

 

Read first time 01/29/98.

Revising provisions relating to driving while under the influence.  


    AN ACT Relating to driving under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug; amending RCW 46.20.308, 46.20.3101, 46.61.502, 46.61.503, 46.61.504, 46.61.506, 88.12.025, 46.20.355, 10.05.100, 10.05.010, 10.05.120, 10.05.160, 46.01.260, 46.20.285, 46.20.391, and 46.12.240; reenacting and amending RCW 46.61.5055; adding a new section to chapter 46.61 RCW; creating a new section; and prescribing penalties.

 

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

 

    Sec. 1.  RCW 46.20.308 and 1995 c 332 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

    (1) Any person who operates a motor vehicle within this state is deemed to have given consent, subject to the provisions of RCW 46.61.506, to a test or tests of his or her breath or blood for the purpose of determining the alcohol concentration or presence of any drug in his or her breath or blood if arrested for any offense where, at the time of the arrest, the arresting officer has reasonable grounds to believe the person had been driving or was in actual physical control of a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug or was in violation of RCW 46.61.503.

    (2) The test or tests of breath shall be administered at the direction of a law enforcement officer having reasonable grounds to believe the person to have been driving or in actual physical control of a motor vehicle within this state while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or the person to have been driving or in actual physical control of a motor vehicle while having alcohol in a concentration of ((0.02 or more)) in violation of RCW 46.61.503 in his or her system and being under the age of twenty-one.  However, in those instances where the person is incapable due to physical injury, physical incapacity, or other physical limitation, of providing a breath sample or where the person is being treated in a hospital, clinic, doctor's office, emergency medical vehicle, ambulance, or other similar facility in which a breath testing instrument is not present or where the officer has reasonable grounds to believe that the person is under the influence of a drug, a blood test shall be administered by a qualified person as provided in RCW 46.61.506(4).  The officer shall inform the person of his or her right to refuse the breath or blood test, and of his or her right to have additional tests administered by any qualified person of his or her choosing as provided in RCW 46.61.506.  The officer shall warn the driver that:

    (a) His or her license, permit, or privilege to drive will be revoked or denied if he or she refuses to submit to the test;

    (b) His or her license, permit, or privilege to drive will be suspended, revoked, or denied((, or placed in probationary status)) if the test is administered and the test indicates the alcohol concentration of the person's breath or blood is ((0.10)) 0.08 or more, in the case of a person age twenty-one or over, or ((0.02 or more)) in violation of RCW 46.61.503 in the case of a person under age twenty-one; and

    (c) His or her refusal to take the test may be used in a criminal trial.

    (3) Except as provided in this section, the test administered shall be of the breath only.  If an individual is unconscious or is under arrest for the crime of vehicular homicide as provided in RCW 46.61.520 or vehicular assault as provided in RCW 46.61.522, or if an individual is under arrest for the crime of driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs as provided in RCW 46.61.502, which arrest results from an accident in which there has been serious bodily injury to another person, a breath or blood test may be administered without the consent of the individual so arrested.

    (4) Any person who is dead, unconscious, or who is otherwise in a condition rendering him or her incapable of refusal, shall be deemed not to have withdrawn the consent provided by subsection (1) of this section and the test or tests may be administered, subject to the provisions of RCW 46.61.506, and the person shall be deemed to have received the warnings required under subsection (2) of this section.

    (5) If, following his or her arrest and receipt of warnings under subsection (2) of this section, the person arrested refuses upon the request of a law enforcement officer to submit to a test or tests of his or her breath or blood, no test shall be given except as authorized under subsection (3) or (4) of this section.

    (6) If, after arrest and after the other applicable conditions and requirements of this section have been satisfied, a test or tests of the person's blood or breath is administered and the test results indicate that the alcohol concentration of the person's breath or blood is ((0.10)) 0.08 or more if the person is age twenty-one or over, or is ((0.02 or more)) in violation of RCW 46.61.503 if the person is under the age of twenty-one, or the person refuses to submit to a test, the arresting officer or other law enforcement officer at whose direction any test has been given, or the department, where applicable, if the arrest results in a test of the person's blood, shall:

    (a) Serve notice in writing on the person on behalf of the department of its intention to suspend, revoke, or deny((, or place in probationary status)) the person's license, permit, or privilege to drive as required by subsection (7) of this section;

    (b) Serve notice in writing on the person on behalf of the department of his or her right to a hearing, specifying the steps he or she must take to obtain a hearing as provided by subsection (8) of this section;

    (c) Mark the person's Washington state driver's license or permit to drive, if any, in a manner authorized by the department;

    (d) Serve notice in writing that the marked license or permit, if any, is a temporary license that is valid for sixty days from the date of arrest or from the date notice has been given in the event notice is given by the department following a blood test, or until the suspension, revocation, or denial of the person's license, permit, or privilege to drive is sustained at a hearing pursuant to subsection (8) of this section, whichever occurs first.  No temporary license is valid to any greater degree than the license or permit that it replaces; and

    (e) Immediately notify the department of the arrest and transmit to the department within seventy-two hours, except as delayed as the result of a blood test, a sworn report or report under a declaration authorized by RCW 9A.72.085 that states:

    (i) That the officer had reasonable grounds to believe the arrested person had been driving or was in actual physical control of a motor vehicle within this state while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs, or both, or was under the age of twenty-one years and had been driving or was in actual physical control of a motor vehicle while having an alcohol concentration of ((0.02 or more)) in violation of RCW 46.61.503;

    (ii) That after receipt of the warnings required by subsection (2) of this section the person refused to submit to a test of his or her blood or breath, or a test was administered and the results indicated that the alcohol concentration of the person's breath or blood was ((0.10)) 0.08 or more if the person is age twenty-one or over, or was  ((0.02 or more)) in violation of RCW 46.61.503 if the person is under the age of twenty-one; and

    (iii) Any other information that the director may require by rule.

    (7) The department of licensing, upon the receipt of a sworn report or report under a declaration authorized by RCW 9A.72.085 under subsection (6)(e) of this section, shall suspend, revoke, or deny((, or place in probationary status)) the person's license, permit, or privilege to drive or any nonresident operating privilege, as provided in RCW 46.20.3101, such suspension, revocation, or denial((, or placement in probationary status)) to be effective beginning sixty days from the date of arrest or from the date notice has been given in the event notice is given by the department following a blood test, or when sustained at a hearing pursuant to subsection (8) of this section, whichever occurs first.

    (8) A person receiving notification under subsection (6)(b) of this section may, within thirty days after the notice has been given, request in writing a formal hearing before the department.  The person shall pay a fee of one hundred dollars as part of the request.  If the request is mailed, it must be postmarked within thirty days after receipt of the notification.  Upon timely receipt of such a request for a formal hearing, including receipt of the required one hundred dollar fee, the department shall afford the person an opportunity for a hearing.  Except as otherwise provided in this section, the hearing is subject to and shall be scheduled and conducted in accordance with RCW 46.20.329 and 46.20.332.  The hearing shall be conducted in the county of the arrest, except that all or part of the hearing may, at the discretion of the department, be conducted by telephone or other electronic means.  The hearing shall be held within sixty days following the arrest or following the date notice has been given in the event notice is given by the department following a blood test, unless otherwise agreed to by the department and the person, in which case the action by the department shall be stayed, and any valid temporary license marked under subsection (6)(c) of this section extended, if the person is otherwise eligible for licensing.  For the purposes of this section, the scope of the hearing shall cover the issues of whether a law enforcement officer had reasonable grounds to believe the person had been driving or was in actual physical control of a motor vehicle within this state while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug or had been driving or was in actual physical control of a motor vehicle within this state while having alcohol in his or her system in a concentration of ((0.02 or more)) in violation of RCW 46.61.503 and was under the age of twenty-one, whether the person was placed under arrest, and (a) whether the person refused to submit to the test or tests upon request of the officer after having been informed that such refusal would result in the revocation of the person's license, permit, or privilege to drive, or (b) if a test or tests were administered, whether the applicable requirements of this section were satisfied before the administration of the test or tests, whether the person submitted to the test or tests, or whether a test was administered without express consent as permitted under this section, and whether the test or tests indicated that the alcohol concentration of the person's breath or blood was ((0.10)) 0.08 or more if the person was age twenty-one or over at the time of the arrest, or was ((0.02 or more)) in violation of RCW 46.61.503 if the person was under the age of twenty-one at the time of the arrest.  The sworn report or report under a declaration authorized by RCW 9A.72.085 submitted by a law enforcement officer is prima facie evidence that the officer had reasonable grounds to believe the person had been driving or was in actual physical control of a motor vehicle within this state while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs, or both, or the person had been driving or was in actual physical control of a motor vehicle within this state while having alcohol in his or her system in a concentration of ((0.02 or more)) in violation of RCW 46.61.503 and was under the age of twenty-one and that the officer complied with the requirements of this section.

    A hearing officer shall conduct the hearing, may issue subpoenas for the attendance of witnesses and the production of documents, and shall administer oaths to witnesses.  The hearing officer shall not issue a subpoena for the attendance of a witness at the request of the person unless the request is accompanied by the fee required by RCW 5.56.010 for a witness in district court.  The sworn report or report under a declaration authorized by RCW 9A.72.085 of the law enforcement officer and any other evidence accompanying the report shall be admissible without further evidentiary foundation and the certifications authorized by the criminal rules for courts of limited jurisdiction shall be admissible without further evidentiary foundation.  The person may be represented by counsel, may question witnesses, may present evidence, and may testify.  The department shall order that the suspension, revocation, or denial((, or placement in probationary status)) either be rescinded or sustained.

    (9) If the suspension, revocation, or denial((, or placement in probationary status)) is sustained after such a hearing, the person whose license, privilege, or permit is suspended, revoked, or denied((, or placed in probationary status)) has the right to file a petition in the superior court of the county of arrest to review the final order of revocation by the department in the same manner as an appeal from a decision of a court of limited jurisdiction.  The appellant must pay the costs associated with obtaining the record of the hearing before the hearing officer.  The filing of the appeal does not stay the effective date of the suspension, revocation, or denial((, or placement in probationary status)).  A petition filed under this subsection must include the petitioner's grounds for requesting review.  Upon granting petitioner's request for review, the court shall review the department's final order of suspension, revocation, or denial((, or placement in probationary status)) as expeditiously as possible.  If judicial relief is sought for a stay or other temporary remedy from the department's action, the court shall not grant such relief unless the court finds that the appellant is likely to prevail in the appeal and that without a stay the appellant will suffer irreparable injury.  If the court stays the suspension, revocation, or denial((, or placement in probationary status)) it may impose conditions on such stay.

    (10) If a person whose driver's license, permit, or privilege to drive has been or will be suspended, revoked, or denied((, or placed in probationary status)) under subsection (7) of this section, other than as a result of a breath test refusal, and who has not committed an offense ((within the last five years)) for which he or she was granted a deferred prosecution under chapter 10.05 RCW, petitions a court for a deferred prosecution on criminal charges arising out of the arrest for which action has been or will be taken under subsection (7) of this section, the court may direct the department to stay any actual or proposed suspension, revocation, or denial((, or placement in probationary status)) for at least forty-five days but not more than ninety days.  If the court stays the suspension, revocation, or denial((, or placement in probationary status)), it may impose conditions on such stay.  If the person is otherwise eligible for licensing, the department shall issue a temporary license, or extend any valid temporary license marked under subsection (6) of this section, for the period of the stay.  If a deferred prosecution treatment plan is not recommended in the report made under RCW 10.05.050, or if treatment is rejected by the court, or if the person declines to accept an offered treatment plan, or if the person violates any condition imposed by the court, then the court shall immediately direct the department to cancel the stay and any temporary marked license or extension of a temporary license issued under this subsection.

    A suspension, revocation, or denial imposed under this section, other than as a result of a breath test refusal, shall be stayed if the person is accepted for deferred prosecution as provided in chapter 10.05 RCW for the incident upon which the suspension, revocation, or denial is based.  If the deferred prosecution is terminated, the stay shall be lifted and the suspension, revocation, or denial reinstated.  If the deferred prosecution is completed, the stay shall be lifted and the suspension, revocation, or denial canceled.

    (11) When it has been finally determined under the procedures of this section that a nonresident's privilege to operate a motor vehicle in this state has been suspended, revoked, or denied, the department shall give information in writing of the action taken to the motor vehicle administrator of the state of the person's residence and of any state in which he or she has a license.

 

    Sec. 2.  RCW 46.20.3101 and 1995 c 332 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:

    Pursuant to RCW 46.20.308, the department shall suspend, revoke, or deny the arrested person's license, permit, or privilege to drive as follows:

    (1) In the case of a person who has refused a test or tests:

    (a) For a first refusal ((within five years)), where there has not been a previous incident ((within five years)) that resulted in administrative action under this section, revocation or denial for one year;

    (b) For a second or subsequent refusal ((within five years)), or for a first refusal where there has been one or more previous incidents ((within five years)) that have resulted in administrative action under this section, revocation or denial for two years or until the person reaches age twenty-one, whichever is longer.  A revocation imposed under this subsection (1)(b) shall run consecutively to the period of any suspension, revocation, or denial imposed pursuant to a criminal conviction arising out of the same incident.

    (2) In the case of an incident where a person has submitted to or been administered a test or tests indicating that the alcohol concentration of the person's breath or blood was ((0.10)) 0.08 or more:

    (a) For a first incident ((within five years)), where there has not been a previous incident ((within five years)) that resulted in administrative action under this section, ((placement in probationary status as provided in RCW 46.20.355)) suspension for ninety days;

    (b) For a second or subsequent incident ((within five years)), revocation or denial for two years.

    (3) In the case of an incident where a person under age twenty-one has submitted to or been administered a test or tests indicating that the alcohol concentration of the person's breath or blood was ((0.02 or more)) in violation of RCW 46.61.503:

    (a) For a first incident ((within five years)), suspension or denial for ninety days;

    (b) For a second or subsequent incident ((within five years)), revocation or denial for one year or until the person reaches age twenty-one, whichever is longer.

 

    Sec. 3.  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. 4.  RCW 46.61.503 and 1995 c 332 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:

    (1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, a person is guilty of driving a motor vehicle after consuming alcohol if the person operates a motor vehicle within this state and the person:

    (a) Is under the age of twenty-one;

    (b) Has, within two hours after operating the motor vehicle, an alcohol concentration of ((0.02 or more)) 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 and before the administration of an analysis of the person's breath or blood to cause the defendant's alcohol concentration to be ((0.02 or more)) in violation of subsection (1) of this section within two hours after driving.  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 may be used as evidence that within two hours of the alleged driving, a person had an alcohol concentration ((of 0.02 or more)) in violation of subsection (1) of this section.

    (4) A violation of this section is a 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 46.61.506 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. 7.  RCW 88.12.025 and 1993 c 244 s 8 are each amended to read as follows:

    (1) It shall be unlawful for any person to operate a vessel in a reckless manner.

    (2) It shall be a violation for a person to operate a vessel while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug.  A person is considered to be under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug if:

    (a) The person has ((0.10)) 0.08 grams or more of alcohol per two hundred ten liters of breath, as shown by analysis of the person's breath made under RCW 46.61.506; or

    (b) The person has ((0.10)) 0.08 percent or more by weight of alcohol in the person's blood, as shown by analysis of the person's blood made under RCW 46.61.506; or

    (c) The person is under the influence of or affected by intoxicating liquor or any drug; or

    (d) The person is under the combined influence of or affected by intoxicating liquor and any drug.

    The fact that any person charged with a violation of this section is or has been entitled to use such drug under the laws of this state shall not constitute a defense against any charge of violating this section.  A person cited under this subsection may upon request be given a breath test for breath alcohol or may request to have a blood sample taken for blood alcohol analysis.  An arresting officer shall administer field sobriety tests when circumstances permit.

    (3) A violation of this section is a misdemeanor, punishable as provided under RCW 9.92.030.  In addition, the court may order the defendant to pay restitution for any damages or injuries resulting from the offense.

 

    Sec. 8.  RCW 46.20.355 and 1995 1st sp.s. c 17 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

    (1) Upon ((placing a license, permit, or privilege to drive in probationary status under RCW 46.20.3101(2)(a), or upon)) receipt of an abstract indicating a deferred prosecution has been granted under RCW 10.05.060, or upon receipt of a notice of conviction of RCW 46.61.502 or 46.61.504, the department of licensing shall order the person to surrender any Washington state driver's license that may be in his or her possession.  The department shall revoke the license, permit, or privilege to drive of any person who fails to surrender it as required by this section for one year, unless the license has been previously surrendered to the department, a law enforcement officer, or a court, or the person has completed an affidavit of lost, stolen, destroyed, or previously surrendered license, such revocation to take effect thirty days after notice is given of the requirement for license surrender.

    (2) The department shall place a person's driving privilege in probationary status as required by RCW 10.05.060((, 46.20.308,)) or 46.61.5055 for a period of five years from the date the probationary status is required to go into effect.

    (3) Following receipt of an abstract indicating a deferred prosecution has been granted under RCW 10.05.060, ((or following receipt of a sworn report under RCW 46.20.308 that requires immediate placement in probationary status under RCW 46.20.3101(2)(a),)) or upon reinstatement or reissuance of a driver's license suspended or revoked as the result of a conviction of RCW 46.61.502 or 46.61.504, the department shall require the person to obtain a probationary license in order to operate a motor vehicle in the state of Washington, except as otherwise exempt under RCW 46.20.025.  The department shall not issue the probationary license unless the person is otherwise qualified for licensing, and the person must renew the probationary license on the same cycle as the person's regular license would have been renewed until the expiration of the five-year probationary status period imposed under subsection (2) of this section.

    (4) For each original issue or renewal of a probationary license under this section, the department shall charge a fee of fifty dollars in addition to any other licensing fees required.  Except for when renewing a probationary license, the department shall waive the fifty-dollar fee if the person has a probationary license in his or her possession at the time a new probationary license is required.

    (5) A probationary license shall enable the department and law enforcement personnel to determine that the person is on probationary status.  The fact that a person's driving privilege is in probationary status or that the person has been issued a probationary license shall not be a part of the person's record that is available to insurance companies.

 

    Sec. 9.  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 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 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 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 two 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; 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.  Forty-five 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 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; 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.  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.

    (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 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.  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 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; 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 three 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; 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.  One hundred twenty 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 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; 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 four 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.

    (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 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) A conviction for a violation of RCW 46.61.502 or an equivalent local ordinance;

    (((ii))) (b) A conviction for a violation of RCW 46.61.504 or an equivalent local ordinance;

    (((iii))) (c) A conviction for a violation of RCW 46.61.520 committed while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug;

    (((iv))) (d) A conviction for a violation of RCW 46.61.522 committed while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug;

    (((v))) (e) 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))) (f) An out-of-state conviction for a violation that would have been a violation of (a)(((i))), (((ii))) (b), (((iii))) (c), (((iv))) (d), or (((v))) (e) of this subsection if committed in this state;

    (((vii))) (g) 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))) (h) 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.

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

 

    Sec. 10.  RCW 10.05.100 and 1985 c 352 s 13 are each amended to read as follows:

    If a petitioner ((is subsequently convicted of a similar offense while in a deferred prosecution program)), within five years after entry of an order of deferred prosecution, engages in conduct which results in conviction of an offense listed in RCW 46.61.5055(8), upon notice the court shall remove the petitioner's docket from the deferred prosecution file and the court shall enter judgment pursuant to RCW 10.05.020.

 

    Sec. 11.  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 eligible for a deferred prosecution program ((more than once in any five-year period)) if he or she has committed a prior offense as defined in RCW 46.61.5055.  Separate offenses ((committed more than seven days apart)) may not be consolidated in a single program.

 

    Sec. 12.  RCW 10.05.120 and 1994 c 275 s 19 are each amended to read as follows:

    ((Upon)) Three years after receiving proof of successful completion of the two-year treatment program, but not before five years following entry of the order of deferred prosecution, the court and prosecutor shall review and verify the defendant's criminal history and driving record as provided in section 17 of this act.  If the petitioner has not been arrested for or convicted of an offense listed in RCW 46.61.5055(8) since entry of the order of deferred prosecution, the court shall dismiss the charges pending against the petitioner.  If the defendant has been arrested for an offense listed in RCW 46.61.5055(8) since entry of the order of deferred prosecution, and there has been no disposition of the charge or charges, the court shall maintain the case in deferred prosecution status until a disposition has occurred.  Unless the disposition was a conviction of an offense listed in RCW 46.61.5055(8), the court shall dismiss the charges pending against the petitioner.

 

    Sec. 13.  RCW 10.05.160 and 1985 c 352 s 18 are each amended to read as follows:

    The prosecutor may appeal an order granting deferred prosecution on any or all of the following grounds:

    (1) Prior deferred prosecution has been granted to the defendant ((within five years));

    (2) Failure of the court to obtain proof of insurance or a treatment plan conforming to the requirements of this chapter;

    (3) Failure of the court to comply with the requirements of RCW 10.05.100;

    (4) Failure of the evaluation facility to provide the information required in RCW 10.05.040 and 10.05.050, if the defendant has been referred to the facility for treatment.  If an appeal on such basis is successful, the trial court may consider the use of another treatment facility ;

    (5) Defendant has committed a prior offense as defined by RCW 46.61.5055.

 

    Sec. 14.  RCW 46.01.260 and 1997 c 66 s 11 are each amended to read as follows:

    (1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, the director, in his or her discretion, may destroy applications for vehicle licenses, copies of vehicle licenses issued, applications for drivers' licenses, copies of issued drivers' licenses, certificates of title and registration or other documents, records or supporting papers on file in his or her office which have been microfilmed or photographed or are more than five years old.  If the applications for vehicle licenses are renewal applications, the director may destroy such applications when the computer record thereof has been updated.

    (2)(a) The director shall not destroy records of convictions or adjudications of RCW 46.61.502, 46.61.504, 46.61.520, and 46.61.522 and shall maintain such records permanently on file.

    (b) The director shall not((, within ten years from the date of conviction, adjudication, or entry of deferred prosecution,)) destroy records of the following:

    (i) ((Convictions or adjudications of the following offenses: RCW 46.61.502 or 46.61.504;

    (ii))) If the offense was originally charged as one of the offenses designated in (a) ((or (b)(i))) of this subsection, convictions or adjudications of the following offenses:  RCW 46.61.500 ((or)), 46.61.5249, 9A.36.050, or any other violation that was originally charged as one of the offenses designated in (a) ((or (b)(i))) of this subsection; or

    (((iii))) (ii) Deferred prosecutions granted under RCW 10.05.120.

    (c) For purposes of RCW 46.52.100 and 46.52.130, offenses subject to this subsection shall be considered "alcohol-related" offenses.

 

    Sec. 15.  RCW 46.20.285 and 1996 c 199 s 5 are each amended to read as follows:

    The department shall forthwith revoke the license of any driver for the period of one calendar year unless otherwise provided in this section, upon receiving a record of the driver's conviction of any of the following offenses, when the conviction has become final:

    (1) For vehicular homicide the period of revocation shall be two years.  The revocation period shall be tolled during any period of total confinement for the offense;

    (2) Vehicular assault.  The revocation period shall be tolled during any period of total confinement for the offense;

    (3) Driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or a narcotic drug, or under the influence of any other drug to a degree which renders the driver incapable of safely driving a motor vehicle, ((upon a showing by the department's records that the conviction is the second such conviction for the driver within a period of five years.  Upon a showing that the conviction is the third such conviction for the driver within a period of five years, the period of revocation shall be two years)) for the period prescribed in RCW 46.61.5055;

    (4) Any felony in the commission of which a motor vehicle is used;

    (5) Failure to stop and give information or render aid as required under the laws of this state in the event of a motor vehicle accident resulting in the death or personal injury of another or resulting in damage to a vehicle that is driven or attended by another;

    (6) Perjury or the making of a false affidavit or statement under oath to the department under Title 46 RCW or under any other law relating to the ownership or operation of motor vehicles;

    (7) Reckless driving upon a showing by the department's records that the conviction is the third such conviction for the driver within a period of two years.

 

    Sec. 16.  RCW 46.20.391 and 1995 c 332 s 12 are each amended to read as follows:

    (1) Any person licensed under this chapter who is convicted of an offense relating to motor vehicles for which suspension or revocation of the driver's license is mandatory, other than vehicular homicide or vehicular assault, may submit to the department an application for an occupational driver's license.  The department, upon receipt of the prescribed fee and upon determining that the petitioner is engaged in an occupation or trade that makes it essential that the petitioner operate a motor vehicle, may issue an occupational driver's license and may set definite restrictions as provided in RCW 46.20.394.  No person may petition for, and the department shall not issue, an occupational driver's license that is effective during the first thirty days of any suspension or revocation imposed for a violation of RCW 46.61.502 or 46.61.504.  A person aggrieved by the decision of the department on the application for an occupational driver's license may request a hearing as provided by rule of the department.

    (2) An applicant for an occupational driver's license is eligible to receive such license only if:

    (a) Within one year immediately preceding the date of the offense that gave rise to the present conviction, the applicant has not committed any offense relating to motor vehicles for which suspension or revocation of a driver's license is mandatory; and

    (b) ((Within five years immediately preceding)) Prior to the date of the offense that gave rise to the present conviction, the applicant has not committed any of the following offenses:  (i) Driving or being in actual physical control of a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor; (ii) vehicular homicide under RCW 46.61.520; or (iii) vehicular assault under RCW 46.61.522; and

    (c) The applicant is engaged in an occupation or trade that makes it essential that he or she operate a motor vehicle; and

    (d) The applicant files satisfactory proof of financial responsibility pursuant to chapter 46.29 RCW.

    (3) The director shall cancel an occupational driver's license upon receipt of notice that the holder thereof has been convicted of operating a motor vehicle in violation of its restrictions, or of an offense that pursuant to chapter 46.20 RCW would warrant suspension or revocation of a regular driver's license.  The cancellation is effective as of the date of the conviction, and continues with the same force and effect as any suspension or revocation under this title.

 

    NEW SECTION.  Sec. 17.  A new section is added to chapter 46.61 RCW to read as follows:

    (1) Immediately before the court orders a sentence, or deferred prosecution under RCW 10.05.120, for any offense listed in subsection (2) of this section, the court and prosecutor shall verify the defendant's criminal history and driving record.  The order shall include specific findings as to the criminal history and driving record.  For purposes of this section, the criminal history shall include all previous convictions and orders of deferred prosecution, as reported through the judicial information system or otherwise available to the court or prosecutor, current to within the periods specified in subsection (3) of this section before the date of the order.  For purposes of this section, the driving record shall include all information reported to the court by the department of licensing.

    (2) The offenses to which this section applies are violations of (a) RCW 46.61.502 or an equivalent local ordinance; (b) RCW 46.61.504 or an equivalent local ordinance; (c) RCW 46.61.520 committed while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug; (d) RCW 46.61.522 committed while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug; and (e) RCW 46.61.5249 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.

    (3) The periods applicable to previous convictions and orders of deferred prosecution are:  (a) One working day, in the case of previous actions of courts that fully participate in the state judicial information system; and (b) seven calendar days, in the case of previous actions of courts that do not fully participate in the judicial information system.  For purposes of this subsection, "fully participate" means regularly providing records to and receiving records from the system by electronic means on a daily basis.

 

    Sec. 18.  RCW 46.12.240 and 1987 c 388 s 8 are each amended to read as follows:

    (1) The suspension, revocation, cancellation, or refusal by the director of any license or certificate provided for in chapters 46.12 and 46.16 RCW is conclusive unless the person whose license or certificate is suspended, revoked, canceled, or refused appeals to the superior court of Thurston county, or at his option to the superior court of the county of his residence, for the purpose of having the suspension, revocation, cancellation, or refusal of the license or certificate set aside.  Notice of appeal must be filed within ten days after receipt of the notice of suspension, revocation, cancellation, or refusal.  Upon the filing of the notice of appeal the court shall issue an order to the director to show cause why the license should not be granted or reinstated, which order shall be returnable not less than ten days after the date of service thereof upon the director.  Service shall be in the manner prescribed for service of summons and complaint in other civil actions.  Upon the hearing on the order to show cause, the court shall hear evidence concerning matters with reference to the suspension, revocation, cancellation, or refusal of the license or certificate and shall enter judgment either affirming or setting aside the suspension, revocation, cancellation, or refusal.

    (2) This section does not apply to vehicle registration cancellations under RCW ((46.16.710 through 46.16.760)) 46.61.5058(13).

 

    NEW SECTION.  Sec. 19.  If this act mandates an increased level of service by local governments, the local government may, under RCW 43.135.060 and chapter 4.92 RCW, submit claims for reimbursement by the legislature.  The claims shall be subject to verification by the office of financial management.

 


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