DUI law? (George: lawyer, home, live in)

[Taterhead]

Hi,

Does anyone know what the DUI law is there? I have a friend who got a DUI friday. She had one DUI back in 97 and 2005. Is my friend going to jail for a year ya think? The first time it was deferred, so that one might not count?

I ask because I know jails are over crowded, so maybe she won't spend a year in jail because of that. This is a girlfriend who shouldn't have been drinking and driving.

Any thoughts, I don't need the lecture about how bad DUI's are please, I know and I told her so, believe me she heard the drill.

Debbie

[BomberBoy]

She will do time and I think she will have an ankle bracelet. She will also have the "blow and go" installed in her car when/if she gets her license back. No offense, but with 3 DUI's she needs help and she should do a LONG time in jail to get the point accross.

[Taterhead]

Do you think it will be a year? and yes I know she should do some kind of time, but a long time, no. You don't know this person, after all 4 years has passed, she doesn't drink hardly at all anymore and hasn't driven that way for 4 years.

She let the 4 year time passing thing mess with her judgement I guess. The sad part is she is a 52 year grandmother of 3. She had just came from a red hats party in the park with girlfreinds, where drinks were served.

I don't believe in drinking and driving myself, I had a DUI in 20's and that was enough for me to never drink and drive again. We all have to learn our lessons. I don't think she should get off scott free, but a year is harsh imo.

Debbie

[nutleynut]

Here is a link to the Ask George search I did for Driving While Intoxicated. The states Legislature page isn't working but you can use the info later;Search Results - Access Washington

If your friend is contrite then she should stop looking for ways out of this and strep up to it and go thru the process. If she has a drink problem or a judgement problem she still needs help. Something is very wrong to have so many DWI in so short a time.
For instance the problem with avoidance thinking that you seem to be enabling is in your third sentence "She had one DUI back in 97 and 2005." you say she had one then give two dates, I get that you are saying she had two but the clear manipulativeness of the statement is an indication of a problem. I think this is a thinking problem, either you are being manipulative or your mind is manipulating you to avoid dealing with something. Either way there is something wrong here that must be addressed. I'm guessing you were with her? Or at the picninc.
I'm sorry about the jail time but it is necessary for intransigent behavior like this. She clearly hasn't gotten the point yet. You just can't say to yourself "I'm only going home..." Just do not drink and drive period. She hasn't accepted that she isn't above it all yet. She isn't unique in this, a lot of us went thru it. The sooner she faces the issue the sooner she will begin to improve her life.

[Taterhead]

She got a DWI in 97 and 2005 and the 3rd one a couple of days ago. No I wasn't with her, I live in another state. For the record this isn't really a friend it is my SISTER!!!!. I ask for you all to please not give a lecture, but I guess that was too much to ask.

I agree with all that you have to say, really I do. I hate drinking and driving people for the very reasons you'all do.

I learned my lesson many years ago (37 years ago) and I guess she just hasn't yet. Now that I have revealed this is my sister and not a friend. I hope you can understand how hard this is for me to hear her over the phone crying how scared she is. I wasn't going to lecture her, she knows very well the mistake she made. There is a part of me that doesn't want her to go to jail and yet another part that thinks a couple of months might finally knock some sense into her.

I just thought I'd ask on this forum about the laws there since I don't live there. I am trying to help her get some answers before Monday, before she sees a lawyer, if she can see one that quick.

No more lectures please, thanks for the help you've given.
Debbie....

[Jane72]

I'm sorry this is happening.
It sucks to have a loved one in jail. i know it does. My son's done time.
But even if she's there, she'll be okay. You have to believe that.
You can make a huge difference by being supportive, writing her letters, visiting, putting money in her commissary fund, sending her little things that will make her stay more comfortable. You can take a very proactive role.
And who knows, maybe she won't do any time.
But if she does, your support and love will help her immeasurably.
And she'll do better once she gets out.

[Taterhead]

Originally Posted by Jane72

I'm sorry this is happening.
It sucks to have a loved one in jail. i know it does. My son's done time.
But even if she's there, she'll be okay. You have to believe that.
You can make a huge difference by being supportive, writing her letters, visiting, putting money in her commissary fund, sending her little things that will make her stay more comfortable. You can take a very proactive role.
And who knows, maybe she won't do any time.
But if she does, your support and love will help her immeasurably.
And she'll do better once she gets out.

You are a very kind person thank you.

Unfortunely, my husband and I are smack in the middle of trying to move in 1 week to another state. He just retired, we sold our home and are moving next week. Moving even further from her I'm afraid, so I can't fly in anytime soon. I will do my best to help her through this.

Debbie

[tcres]

I'm not sure if any of the laws are set in stone. I know many people with DUI's in the Tri-Cities and each and every case seems to be handled differently.

[BomberBoy]

Originally Posted by nutleynut

Here is a link to the Ask George search I did for Driving While Intoxicated. The states Legislature page isn't working but you can use the info later;Search Results - Access Washington

If your friend is contrite then she should stop looking for ways out of this and strep up to it and go thru the process. If she has a drink problem or a judgement problem she still needs help. Something is very wrong to have so many DWI in so short a time.
For instance the problem with avoidance thinking that you seem to be enabling is in your third sentence "She had one DUI back in 97 and 2005." you say she had one then give two dates, I get that you are saying she had two but the clear manipulativeness of the statement is an indication of a problem. I think this is a thinking problem, either you are being manipulative or your mind is manipulating you to avoid dealing with something. Either way there is something wrong here that must be addressed. I'm guessing you were with her? Or at the picninc.
I'm sorry about the jail time but it is necessary for intransigent behavior like this. She clearly hasn't gotten the point yet. You just can't say to yourself "I'm only going home..." Just do not drink and drive period. She hasn't accepted that she isn't above it all yet. She isn't unique in this, a lot of us went thru it. The sooner she faces the issue the sooner she will begin to improve her life.

Well said. Family member or not, maybe the best thing for her to do is to sit in a jail cell for a year and figure things out. If this was her first DUI I wouldn't think that way, but with her 3rd, something drastic needs to be done.

[M3 Mitch]

It would probably be worthwhile to lawyer up, if you can possibly find the funds.

This ain't gonna go away either cheap or easy.