Dawn Vrentas was convicted of manslaughter ten years ago when she drove drunk and got into an accident that killed two of her friends. At that time, Vrentas was already a repeat DUI offender having been arrested three years prior for a DUI at the age of 18.

A decade later, and following a five and half years prison stint, the now 31-year-old woman is facing her third DUI conviction, reports KXLY.

Last Saturday, the Washington State Patrol reportedly pulled over Vrentas in King County for speeding along Interstate 5. When they administered a blood alcohol test, Vrentas tested for a blood alcohol level of 0.14. The legal limit to drive in Washington State is 0.08.

Alleged repeat DUI offenders like Vrentas are the individuals targeted by Washington's new DUI laws just signed into law last month.

Under these laws, a repeat DUI offender will be required to install an ignition interlock device within five days of being charged. In addition, the defendant may be required to undergo daily alcohol monitoring. However, these laws are not expected to take effect until later this year (and possibly early next year for the daily alcohol monitoring).

In the meantime, if Vrentas is convicted of her latest DUI, she could face up to 43 months in prison.

The penalties for a repeat DUI offender are very serious. And with passage of the new DUI laws, someone accused of being a repeat DUI offender will need to work with an experienced King County DUI attorney.

If you have any questions regarding a specific charge, contact the experienced DUI defense attorneys at Wolff Criminal Defense by calling 425-284-2000. Individuals accused of being repeat DUI offenders face an uphill battle and an experienced attorney can help even the fight.