DUI arrests made by the Federal Way Police Department within the city limits of Federal Way are filed directly into Federal Way Municipal Court. This means that an arraignment date is generally given immediately after the DUI processing is complete. As a result, the arrested person should consult with a Federal Way DUI lawyer immediately as there are a number of things to be aware of in advance of that first court date as well as going forward.
FEDERAL WAY FIRST APPEARANCE AND DUI PRETRIAL CONDITIONS
This court is noted for imposing very restrictive pretrial conditions at arraignment. Those with no prior offenses and a low range BAC result will probably leave this hearing with only standard conditions (appear at future court dates, lawful behavior, no consumption of alcohol). If, however, the allegations include prior DUI history, a high BAC or refusal, an accident or children in the car, the conditions imposed could become much more severe. These might include reporting to probation, random urinalysis testing, SCRAM, ignition interlock, electronic home monitoring and/or bail. Failure to comply with these conditions would result in even more severe sanctions, even if the underlying DUI charge hasn’t been proven
FEDERAL WAY JUDGES AND PROSECUTORS
The city of Federal Way elects its judges every four years. Currently there are two sitting judges in this court. The prosecutors are a branch of the Federal Way City Attorney’s Office and are city employees as opposed to many smaller jurisdictions that hire independent law firms to provide prosecutorial services
DUI COURT PROCEDURES IN FEDERAL WAY
A DUI case in Federal Way proceeds largely the same way it would in most jurisdictions. The arraignment is followed by a pretrial hearing or status conference. If the charge cannot be resolved at this stage, a motions hearing and trial date would be set. See DUI court process more information on general DUI courtroom procedures.
FEDERAL WAY DUI PROBATION
One area that seems to set Federal Way apart from other jurisdictions is the probation department. Unlike other jurisdictions in Washington that have their own in house probation departments, Federal Way contracts with a private corporation called the Providence Service Corporation. The degree of supervision over and obligations expected out of those sent to probation at Providence is among the highest and most onerous in Washington.
Federal Way, like most jurisdictions, has its own idiosyncrasies in the way it manages DUI cases. If you or someone you know has a case pending in this court, contact us as soon as possible for a consultation in order to learn what to expect and how best to prepare.