kriscarrasco

Major 2026 Changes to Washington DUI Laws: Felony Penalties, Sentencing Options, and Lookback Period

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Washington’s DUI laws are changing significantly on January 1, 2026. These updates primarily affect how severe offenses, such as Felony DUI, are charged and sentenced. As a Washington DUI defense attorney, I’ve broken down the biggest 2026 changes in clear, practical language so drivers know exactly what to expect. 1. Washington Extends the Felony DUI Lookback … Read more

Washington’s New DUI Law in 2026: Second Deferred Prosecution and What It Means for You

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Second Deferred Prosecution

Starting January 1, 2026, Washington’s DUI laws change in several important ways under Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1493 (ESHB 1493). One of the biggest shifts is that some drivers will now be eligible for a second deferred prosecution in DUI and physical control cases, something that was not allowed under prior law.​ What Is Deferred Prosecution? Deferred … Read more

Washington’s New Gun Laws Take Effect July 1: What Firearms Dealers and Owners Need to Know

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Washington New Gun Laws 2025 Take Effect July 1 2025

Washington State’s sweeping new gun laws take effect July 1, 2025, imposing costly compliance requirements on firearms dealers and creating new barriers for gun owners. From mandatory surveillance systems to million-dollar insurance requirements, these regulations are forcing small businesses to close their firearms departments. As a firearms rights attorney, I’m seeing how these laws affect law-abiding citizens daily. Here’s what dealers and gun owners need to know about HB 2118 and the upcoming permit requirements under HB 1163.

Senate Bill 5067: Washington State’s New DUI Law Lowers BAC Limit to 0.05%

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BAC .05

A new DUI Law proposal currently working its way through the Washington State Legislature is Senate Bill 5067 (SB 5067), which aims to lower the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit for driving from 0.08% to 0.05%. If passed, this would mark a dramatic shift in Washington’s DUI laws, potentially affecting thousands of drivers—and raising … Read more

Proposed Bill Addresses Critical Gap in Washington’s Firearm Rights Restoration Law

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Gun Rights Restoration

A new bill introduced in Washington’s legislature (House Bill 1118) seeks to fix a significant oversight in the state’s firearm rights restoration law that has been particularly problematic since July 2023. The proposed legislation would address two major issues that currently prevent many Washington residents from restoring their firearm rights. The Current Problem Under the … Read more

Washington State’s Proposed 2025 Firearm Legislation

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Washington state legislators have introduced six significant firearm-related bills that deserve careful analysis. As a criminal defense attorney specializing in firearm rights restoration, I believe it’s crucial to understand how these proposed changes could affect both gun owners’ rights and public safety. Background Check System Updates (SB 5056) Senator Wagoner’s SB 5056 addresses a critical … Read more

New Misdemeanors That Revoke Firearm Rights

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In July 2023, Washington State updated its laws under RCW 9.41.040(2)(a)(i)(D), adding several misdemeanors and gross misdemeanors that, if convicted, result in the loss of firearm rights for offenses committed on or after July 23, 2023. These include: Why the Expansion? The state legislature is trying to reduce gun violence by disarming individuals with recent … Read more

Charges Dismissed in Local 2021 Assault Case

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A case our firm handled, which arose from a 2021 incident outside a local tavern, recently ended with the dismissal of the charges against our client. While we must keep identifying details confidential, we want to share a few facts to illustrate how nuanced such cases can be. Background on the Incident The underlying events … Read more