The Puyallup Police Department received a Partnership in Public Safety Award from the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board for their work in collecting data that tracked where an impaired driver had received their last drink before being arrested for DUI. The Puyallup Police Department submitted the highest number of records to the Place of Last Drink (POLD) database over any other police department in the state. “Place of Last Drink is an initiative to identify patterns of alcohol use that lead to law enforcement response and calls for service.” POLD's ultimate goal is to identify where a person last consumed alcohol in hopes of identifying patterns and alcohol serving practices that may lead to alcohol-related incidents such as DUIs, assaults, and other offenses.

According to POLD, since the inception of their program in 2014, the police departments participating in the database have shown the following results:

• 2,040 injuries due to alcohol-related crashes,
• 25,258 motorists arrested for DUI,
• 39% of DUI offenders arrested were between the ages of 20-29, and
• 24% of traffic fatalities involve a drunk driver.

The Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board uses the data for oversight and educational purposes in providing alcohol licensees information about over-service prevention.

Penalties of a DUI in the State of Washington

Driving under the influence is taken very seriously in the state of Washington. Depending on the exact circumstances surrounding your case, the penalties you may face if convicted of a DUI can vary. For example:

Blood Alcohol Content Under 0.15% 

• Up to 364 days in jail
• Fines between $350 to $5,000
• 90-day licenses suspension
• A combination of all of the above

Blood Alcohol Content Above 0.15%

• A minimum of 48 hours in jail, but no more than 364 days
• A minimum fine of $500 and maximum of $5,000
• One-year license suspension
• A combination of all of the above

If you refuse to submit to a sobriety test during the traffic stop then you face the same penalties you may face if you were to have a BAC above 0.15%, except that you will face an automatic two-year suspension of your driver's license. Penalties for multiple DUIs and DUI-related accidents can elevate your potential penalties significantly. Not to mention, being convicted of DUI can elevate your insurance and may cause you to lose your job due to lack of transportation, and it will remain on your criminal record for seven years.

Contact a Seattle DUI Defense Attorney Today

If you or a loved one has been arrested for any DUI offense, it is best practice to speak with a DUI defense attorney immediately. Attorney Steve Karimi has a proven track record of success accompanied with an in-depth understanding of Seattle DUI laws. Mr. Karimi is a former King County prosecutor who now uses his insight and knowledge into prosecution strategies to fight for the rights of those accused. To get the achieve the best results and obtain the strongest defense, you need to contact the Law Offices of Steve Karimi today.