November 06, 2019, 08:44
APorterWashington State & Mandatory Vehicle Impounds
Last month the Washington Supreme Court held the state's mandatory vehicle impound law violates the state's constitutional protection from unlawful search and seizure.
The law, known as "Hailey's Law," required officers making DUI arrests to impound the arrestee's vehicle. The Washington Supreme Court reasoned impoundment is constitutionally permissible only if "it is reasonable under the circumstances and there are no reasonable alternatives."
Washington v. Villela, No. 96183-2 (Wash. Oct. 17, 2019).