No Bail on a Snohomish County DUI

It used to be that you could always count on the judge at least setting some bail amount, if not outright releasing you from custody. However, that all changed recently, when local Snohomish County District Court Judge Jeffrey Goodwin held a defendant who got popped for another Washington State DUI while his was pending in Goodwin’s court, without bail being set.

A Snohomish County Superior Court Judge upheld the decision.

From the Everett Herald:

EVERETT — A Seattle man charged with drunken driving will remain behind bars without any chance to bail out after a Snohomish County Superior Court judge ruled that a lower court had legal authority to deny the man bail because he was convicted of another crime while awaiting trial.

Attorneys for Israel Hinojosa argued that their client has the state Constitution on his side. A District Court judge didn’t have the right to order him held without bail before he’s had a fair trial, they contend.

Bail isn’t supposed to be punishment. It is set to assure people show up to their court hearings. A high bail also is a means to assure public safety if there’s a possibility the defendant may commit a violent crime, intimidate a witness or interfere with the court.

The state Constitution guarantees that people, before they are convicted of a crime, have the right to bail, public defender Sara Ayoubi wrote in a petition. The Constitution says no-bail orders are reserved only for defendants who are charged with aggravated murder where proof is evident, she wrote.

Now, more than ever, it is imperative that you have competent LOCAL counsel for your case – someone who knows the courts and the players. Someone who is keeping abreast of all local developments.

If your case is in South District Court in Lynnwood, call Lynnwood DUI Attorney Jonathan Dichter immediately at 425-424-9401 so he can get started defending you, keeping you out of jail, and protecting your rights!

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