ALERT: Delays In Drug & Alcohol Assessments And Ignition Interlock Installations Are Causing Problems

When we have sign up a new client, we provide a detailed list of proactive steps we want our client to do. There are several reasons for this but, mostly, it has a significant impact on the ability to positively resolve your case. 

Once we receive Discovery from the prosecutor, we get to work finding legal issues and tactical advantages with your unique fact pattern. Then, after our client has followed our proactive plan, we are in the strongest position for negotiation. It is not the “easiest” path for our clients as compared to other firms. However, it is a formula that has worked very well over the past two decades.

While there will be numerous proactive steps we want you to take, a couple of the steps have been more challenging over the past six months. We are seeing a challenge for those clients seeking drug and alcohol evaluations (from agencies we prefer and will give you a fair assessment) as well as  ignition interlock installers. 

How To Avoid The Ignition Interlock

If you do not get into an agency within the required timelines, it can have a very negative consequence on your case. At the same time, if you are rushed and use just any agency, that can also have a very negative consequence. 

No. In fact, there are some agencies we advise our clients not to go due to unfair assessments (always requiring treatment = big costs) and/or they do not comply with the requirements of the court in terms of providing documentation. This can lead to violating conditions of release, motions to revoke, and potential jail time. It is critical you get the guidance of an experienced DUI attorney before you try to navigate these steps.

3 Things To Know About Your Chemical Dependency Evaluation

If you are a Witt Law Group client who has been charged with DUI or other alcohol or drug-related crime, make sure you follow our advice on where to seek an evaluation. If you are unable to get an appointment in a timely manner, our legal assistants can make calls on your behalf and that can, frequently, speed up the process.

The basics of the Drug & Alcohol Assessment

If you or someone you know has been arrested for DUI, there are certain required conditions of release that happen at the outset of your case. Additionally, those conditions may also be set in place at the end of your case. At Arraignment, the judge is setting those condition for public safety. At the end of your case, those same condition might be continued or they might be imposed as part of your judgment and sentence. There are many factors and a very experienced DUI defense attorney will navigate the case to avoid as many of those costly and time-consuming requirements.

General information on DUI cases and relevant issues.

If you are a Witt Law Group client, make sure you know who are preferred evaluators are in our area. if you are not our client, check in with your DUI attorney to make sure you are on the right path.

Unfortunately, without proper guidance, the final resolution of your case can be negatively impacted by the problems with service providers. Evaluators do not work for the court. They are separate independent businesses that have their own challenges in maintaining adequate staffing. It is important not to delay simply because you are waiting for the one particular agency due to its proximity to your home or the cheapest. This can be a very costly mistake in the end.

If you are facing a DUI or another criminal charge in Kitsap or Thurston counties or cities within these areas, our lawyers are here to help 7 days a week. (360) 792-1000