425-260-9366
Matthew Skau, Associate Attorney, Yranela & Associates
If you’ve been charged with a DUI in Washington you are almost certainly expected to obtain an Alcohol and Drug Evaluation from a licensed agency. Many courts won’t even entertain a case resolution until they see the results of that evaluation along with the recommended treatment. With the governor’s Stay Home order, and the closure of many face-to-face businesses, how are you to fulfill those obligations to the court so that you can resolve your case swiftly and smoothly once the courts open again?
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, evaluations required an in-person interview. Under current conditions, however, those restrictions have been eased. The Washington State Department of Health has published a statement that “telehealth” services will be permitted and in-person requirements relaxed.
This official opinion refers mostly to treatment programs rather than evaluations themselves, mostly because most evaluations include a urinalysis test which cannot readily be done remotely. That said, many agencies are working to arrange procedures that comply with necessary social distancing requirements. When looking into which agency to go to for your evaluation, most people primarily ask whether their health insurance is accepted. Asking about proper remote evaluation procedures is now a suitable follow up question.
Once you have your evaluation, engaging in treatment has never been easier to do online. Relying on the Department of Health’s opinion, many agencies have pushed hard to open up their Alcohol and Drug Information School and Victim’s Impact Panel classes to online participation.
Although we don’t formally recommend any particular agency, some examples that offer online treatment courses are:
1) Assessment and treatment associates– They have branches in Bellingham, Mountlake Terrace, Bellevue, and Pasco. They also do telemedicine and accept health insurance. Widely referred by other DUI attorneys I have the pleasure of working with and other clients.
2) Associated Behavioral Health (ABHC)– They have branches in Bellevue, North Seattle, West Seattle, and Kent. They offer telehealth for the evaluation and ADIS. They accept health insurance. They have received good feedback from my past clients.
3) Lakeside Milam Recovery Center – They have branches in King, Pierce, and Snohomish Counties. Cities include Bellevue, Seattle, Kent, Edmonds, Everett, Tacoma, Puyallup, Kirkland, Issaquah and more. They have good feedback by my past clients living on the Eastside and some local attorneys.
4) Coastal Treatment – They offer online VIP and ADIS during the pandemic. They have Branches in Bellevue and Everett. They have had good feedback by some clients.
3) Northstar Treatment Group – Online ADIS available. They have a branch in Renton. They have had good feedback by my clients living in South King County, Renton and Federal Way areas.
If you’re pro-active and comply with the court’s requirements in advance, your case will proceed all the more smoothly once the courts are open and fully functioning once more. And if you need experienced attorneys to help you navigate these uncertain times, contact us at Yranela & Associates for a free consultation.
