Opinion ID: 751400
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Washington's Deferred Prosecution Scheme

Text: 6 Washington's deferred prosecution scheme is a form of preconviction probation available to persons charged with misdemeanors or gross misdemeanors who admit under oath that their wrongful conduct resulted from alcoholism, drug addiction, or mental problems for which they are in need of treatment. RCW 10.05.020. To qualify, the petitioner must execute a statement waiving his right to testify, the right to a speedy trial, the right to call witnesses to testify, the right to present evidence in his defense, and the right to a jury trial. Id. at Subsection (2). He must stipulate to both the admissibility and sufficiency of the facts contained in the written police report. Id. He must acknowledge that the statement will be entered and used to support a finding of guilty if the court finds cause to revoke the order granting deferred prosecution. Id. The petitioner is advised that the court will not accept a petition for deferred prosecution from a person who sincerely believes that he or she is innocent of the charges or sincerely believes that he or she does not, in fact, suffer from alcoholism, drug addiction, or mental problems. Id. 7 The two year alcoholism program mandated under the deferred prosecution program is rigorous, imposing various disabilities upon the participant such as twice-weekly recovery meetings, relinquishment of the right to refuse certain prescription drugs, and total abstinence from alcohol and nonprescribed drugs. 3 The participant's driving privileges are placed on probationary status for five years by the department of motor vehicle licensing. RCW 10.05.060. The court may also appoint the probation department to supervise the petitioner, making contact at least once every six months. RCW 10.05.170. 8 If a petitioner who has been accepted for deferred prosecution fails to fulfill any term or condition of his treatment plan, the overseeing facility must immediately report the breach to the court. RCW 10.05.090. The court must then hold a hearing to determine whether the petitioner should be removed from the deferred prosecution program. Id. If the court revokes the petitioner's deferred prosecution, the court shall enter judgment pursuant to RCW 10.05.020. Id. That section provides that the petitioner's statement waiving rights and stipulating to facts will be entered and used to support a finding of guilty. RCW 10.05.020. 9 The Washington statute envisions an extremely abbreviated process for the bench trial, because almost every possible defense usually open to a defendant is foreclosed. The official form to be used by petitioners contains the following description: Petitioner understands there will not be a trial; the Judge will simply read the police report to determine guilt or innocence of Petitioner.