Three law enforcement heavyweights are pushing a new bill that hopes to increase the prison terms for convicted DUI offenders in WA, as they see their constituents suffering from the loss of loved ones and that the current punishment in no way fits the crime, as reported by the Kirkland Reporter.
From the town of Kirkland, WA, King County Prosecutor Daniel Satterberg, Washington State Rep. Christopher Hurst (D-Enumclaw) and Pierce County Prosecutor Mark Lindquist are working together to make the penalties for DUI-fueled crashes causing homicides much stronger.
Satterberg said, “A criminal sentence is supposed to punish the offender and protect the community. For drunk drivers who kill, our current law accomplishes neither goal.”
P.R. is a Kirkland resident currently facing a charge of vehicular homicide. He allegedly drove his BMW on N.E. 85th Street when he killed S.L., a husband and father of two young children.
S.L.’s wife, N.L., said, “My children are suffering. They spent the holidays wishing for the one gift they couldn't have and that was to have the most wonderful father back in our lives.”
P.R.’s blood alcohol content at the time of the crash was allegedly .029 – more than three times the legal driving limit. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges. If he is convicted, the current maximum sentence is 31 to 41 months in prison.
New legislation, proposed in House Bill 2216, has the potential to increase P.R.’s sentence to 78-102 months in prison for a conviction of vehicular homicide.
Hurst, a veteran police officer of 25 years before becoming the WA State Representative, said, “I've seen terrible carnage at these collision scenes and know the immeasurable suffering of surviving family members because some idiot chose to drive drunk. It is time that we made the punishment fit the crime.”
Along with longer prison sentences for DUI vehicular homicide, the bill also asks to increase prison time for vehicular assault based on reckless driving. or the disregard for the wellbeing of others.
Vehicular homicide based on reckless driving is now 21-27 months in prison; the new Bill would increase the time to 51-68 months. Concurrently, the Bill would increase a conviction of vehicular homicide without disregard to the safety of others – currently set at 15-20 months in prison, the new law would change it to 21-27 months. And offenders convicted of DUI vehicular assault will be facing a prison sentence of 6-12 months instead of 3-9.
Another bill, to be introduced by WA State Sen. David Frockt, also promises to increase the sentences for DUIs. Frockt said, “Given the incredible number of public awareness campaigns after all these years on TV and radio, people know, or should know, how reckless a decision it is to drink and drive.”
One more bill, submitted by Rep. Roger Goodman (D-Kirkland), will be aimed at DUI offenders that kill a parent – he wants to make them responsible for paying child support to the victim’s family. Additionally, Goodman wants stiffer penalties if a child is killed as a result of a DUI incident.
Every state has its own laws that govern DUI, DWI, OUI and OWI sentencing. Contact a DUI attorney that knows the laws in your state, and how best to serve you instead of you serving time.