Victim Panels
Why does the state mandate you attend a victim impact panel after you’ve been arrested for DUI, especially when you didn’t hurt anyone while driving under the influence? Why should you have to sit through one of these panels? Here is the main reason:
Victims of DUI Need You to Understand.
Every person on our victim’s panel has been affected by drug or drunk driving. Some were injured in a DUI accident. Others lost loved ones in a DUI collision. Participating in our panel empowers these individuals to work through their recovery and grieving process.
Opportunity to See Consequences.
Participants in our victim panels hope seeing the potential tragedies associated with driving under the influence (DUI) of drugs and/or alcohol will motivate you to reconsider getting behind the wheel of your car when you know you’ve had enough alcohol to raise your blood level over the legal limit. They want you to recognize how taking a drug could impair your driving skills.
Even if a drug is legal, the side effects should be considered. For instance, are there warnings about drowsiness for the medication?
What We Hope Our Victim’s Panel Will Accomplish
Our goal is to:
- Reduce the number of people who drive after being under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.
- Provide a platform that gives you the information and energy you need to change how you make decisions before you get behind the wheel of a motor vehicle
- Motivate you to never drive a motor vehicle when you have used any mind altering chemical.
- Emphasize the message that the community around you no longer tolerates people choosing to drive under the influence of mind-altering substances—whether it’s alcohol, illegal drugs, or medical prescriptions.
As we all know, changing behaviors is very difficult. However, when motivation to change is present, it becomes easier. We believe that after you attend one of our panel presentations you will not only be motivated to change your behaviors, you will be encouraged and energized to influence the way your friends and family look at drinking and driving.
Our panels are offered every Saturday with multiple locations around the Puget Sound.
You may attend our DUI victim panel on a walk-in basis. Please contact us at (425) 256-4381 if you have any questions. The class lasts approximately 1-1/2 hours and costs $60—paid at time of service.