Ignition Interlock Devices-When Are They Required?
Posted Friday, September 7, 2018 by Andrew Charles Huff
If you have been arrested for a DUI in Washington for the first time, you are probably trying to educate yourself on an area of the law that is probably new to you. You are probably discovering that an arrest for DUI can be a very expensive and time consuming problem to have to deal with.
One potential consequence of a DUI arrest or conviction is the court’s use of ignition interlock devices. There are several scenarios where either the court or the Department of Licensing will require that you not drive a vehicle without a functioning Ignition Interlock Device (IID). One of the new requirements for an IID is that it must be equipped with a camera to verify who the person providing a breath of air into the device.
Here are the situations in which you might be required to have an Ignition Interlock device:
Pretrial Release: At a first appearance before a judge, the court has the authority to require you to have an IID while your case is pending as a condition of your release, similar to imposing bail.
Prior DUI Charge: If you are charged with a DUI and had faced a previous charge within seven years, the court will require that you have an IID in your vehicle while your case is pending.
DUI Conviction: The current law requires that you have an IID in your car for a minimum of a year following a DUI conviction or guilty plea.
Deferred Prosecution: A person who seeks a two-year treatment option called a deferred prosecution is also required to maintain a functioning IID for a minimum of one year.
