SPOKANE - Washington's first felony DUI bill is one step from becoming law, but KREM 2 News has learned it doesn't target first time offenders. Or people who drive drunk a second, third, or fourth time.
Washington is one of just three states without a felony DUI law. Wednesday night, state legislators unanimously passed a bill that would make a fifth DUI conviction a felony offense.
KREM.com
State troopers say they've stopped 400 drivers from driving under the influence in Spokane County in the past two months. Lawmakers hope a new bill will scare drivers straight. Jail time for the felony would range from 15 months to five years, but some drivers say the new law is too lax.
State Representative John Ahern is from Spokane. Ahern wrote the bill, and says he wanted to make a fourth offense a felony, but was told the numbers would be too high and too expensive to prosecute. Ahern says he's push a tougher bill next legislative session.
If Governor Chris Gregoire signs the current bill, the new law would take effect July first, 2007. KREM 2 News checked.. and three DUI's will get you a felony in Idaho.
***The same law is here in texas. the first three are misdameaners unless you hurt, kill or mame someone. the third one is a felony and more then likely you just get probation again along with the fines and the new fine to reinstate the DL. (500 for the first, 1500 for the 2nd and 4000 for the last, yet very very rarely enforced)
I have seen the devastaion of drunk driving be basically dismissed so many times that its un real. the courts need to do something like this across the board. BTW, Harris county, where I live is the DWI capitla of the USA. Its also (or was) the death captial also.
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