Washington’s Alcohol/Drug Education and Victim Impact
Washington State enforces a system of required drug and alcohol assessments for defendants charged with Driving Under the Influence, assault, battery, violence against women, domestic disturbance and various other crimes where alcohol and drugs are usually a factor. Any criminal offense directly linked to alcohol and drug abuse may trigger these assessments.
How long is treatment required?
The duration of any mandatory term of treatment under Washington law is not specified by statute, but rather based on apparent clinical need as determined by qualified medical professionals. Individuals who submit to assessments may receive two-year deferrals of prosecution if certified by the criminal justice system. Washington affords the same opportunity for deferral to defendants with mental health issues.
What to expect during treatment
Washington’s Alcohol and Drug Information School (ADIS) forms the centerpiece of the comprehensive state intervention program. Defendants entering ADIS receive an eight-hour course that covers basic scientific, psychological and sociological information about the dangers of drugs and alcohol. The ADIS course also includes relevant information about the Washington Penal Code and the legal effects of drug and alcohol convictions. Eight hours is the mandatory minimum for all DUI offenders, but may also be required of defendants facing prosecution for other drug and alcohol-related crimes.
What are Victim Impact Panels?
In addition to ADIS, courts may order defendants to undergo a Victim Impact Panel. These panels include multimedia presentations from victims impacted by abuses and abusers of drugs and alcohol. Victims share stories of loss, injury and domestic violence to help defendants better understand the impact their choices have on friends, family and the community.
Victim impact stories often cover physical and emotional loss as well as financial loss as a result of drunk driving and other violent crimes. Though often difficult for defendants to sit through, the Victim Impact Panel is not designed to strike an accusatory tone. The focus is always on helping offenders live a better life and avoid inflicting trauma on their loved ones.