Category Archives: Uncategorized

1. State Closing 14 State-Run Liquor Stores Today

   Apr 27, 2012 —

   Over the objections of many “drunk-driving prevention” advocacy groups, Washington residents passed Initiative 1183 last year which permitted the sale of liquor at private establishments in the state. That transformation is expected to officially begin on June 1. However, changes are already taking place in preparation of that date. The Washington Liquor Control Board has … [More]

2. New DUI Law Signed By Governor

   Mar 27, 2012 —

   I’ve written on this blog before about the bill making its way through the state legislature that would boost drunk driving penalties in instances where another person is injured or killed. That bill was signed into recently by Governor Chris Gregoire. But House Bill 2443 also had other provisions which would affect the sentencing requirements … [More]

3. DUI Offenders May Soon Be Allowed in Canada

   Mar 1, 2012 —

   Americans who have been convicted of DUI in Washington and throughout the country face many different challenges and restrictions. They have to adhere to countless conditions of their probation agreements. They have to purchase special auto insurance. They likely disqualify themselves from holding certain types of jobs. But now, DUI offenders may possibly be able … [More]

4. Officer Canned for DUI Will Get Rehired with Back Pay

   Feb 25, 2012 —

   Through awareness, enforcement, prosecution, and sentencing, police departments in Washington have sent a clear message that driving under the influence is unacceptable – and that those who engage in this dangerous practice will face severe consequences. So it would be logical to assume that if a police officer were to be convicted of DUI, he … [More]

5. House Unanimously Passes Tougher DUI Sentencing Bill – HB 2216

   Feb 16, 2012 —

   Several weeks ago, we told you about proposed new legislation that would increase the prison sentences for those people convicted of driving under the influence who injured or killed someone in an auto accident. The proposal was announced at a press conference attended by numerous lawmakers, prosecutors, and families of DUI victims. So perhaps it … [More]

6. Washington DUI Caselaw Summary – State v. Cochrane (January 2011) – Notice of Felony

   Jan 4, 2012 —

   A foundational issue of fairness that triggers constitutional protections is notice.  When the government fails to notify a person why they intend to take their liberty most people regardless of their political orientation are offended.  Here the state failed to put Mr. Cochrane on notice of the charge of Felony DUI by omitting language from … [More]

7. New DUI Law Announced For New Years Eve – Bill Aims to Toughen Penalties on Drunk Drivers Who Kill, Injure

   Dec 31, 2011 —

   New Year’s Eve is one of those holidays which is heavily associated with drinking and driving. As a result, law enforcement personnel in and around the Seattle metropolitan area will be out in full force throughout this holiday weekend looking for drunk drivers. Then after 2012 begins, lawmakers will consider a measure to toughen sentences … [More]

8. DUI Patrols – Weekend of December 16-18

   Dec 16, 2011 —

   This weekend will be a popular one for residents, companies, and organizations who are hosting holiday parties. Many of these parties will provide alcohol for their guests, so the potential for impaired drivers on the state’s roadways will be higher than normal. That’s why various police agencies around the state of Washington will participate in … [More]

9. To Canada With A DUI Conviction From Washington State

   Sep 7, 2011 —

   All too often, those who have been convicted of a DUI are surprised to learn that they will likely be turned away from border when trying to enter Canada. When clients consult with me on the issue, I generally tell them the following: If you have been found guilty of any conduct, in any country, … [More]

10. DUI Prosecutors Must Call The Actual Lab Witnesses Who Did Tests

    Jul 11, 2011 —

    On June 23, 2011, in a long awaited and heavily contested opinion, the United States Supreme Court ruled that DUI Prosecutors must actually call forensic witnesses to prove their cases instead of just using pieces of paper with a statement on it.  In Bullcoming V. New Mexico, the Court said that defendants have a right … [More]

11. Breath Testing At Seattle Area High School Prom?

    Jun 1, 2011 —

    Prom season is upon us and with that inevitably comes concerns over underage drinking. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Reports that a whopping 60% of all fatal traffic accidents occur during prom season, KOMO news reports. Washington High School, apparently aware of this, is considering having each student submit to a breathalyzer test to … [More]

12. Stiffer Laws on DUI Sentencing From the 2011 Washington Legislature

    May 4, 2011 —

    Like the seasons, new DUI laws come every year allowing legislators to stand and say that they were tough on drunk drivers.  This year  HB 1789 claims to take steps to increase sentencing laws for DWI offenses. Under this new bill, if the offender has prior felony DUI convictions, any subsequent DUI offense will be … [More]

13. There’s An App For That DUI Checkpoint

    Apr 7, 2011 —

    Let’s say you are out in a bar, and regrettably have had a few to many. Concerned about your drive home, you turn on your smartphone and get the lowdown on any DUI checkpoints in your area. Smartphone users now have the ability to check what roads not to take to avoid any sobriety checkpoints … [More]

14. Alcohol Evaluations For Washington State DUIs

    Mar 30, 2011 —

    There is no question that being charged with a DWI is a traumatic experience. In order to satisfy court requirements for alcohol and drug related arrests, an alcohol evaluation may be necessary. These evaluations are conducted by a state certified chemical dependency agency, and strike fear in the hearts of many. The evaluation is designed … [More]

15. St. Patrick’s Day DUI Patrols Arrest 29 Drivers In Seattle and King County Washington

    Mar 24, 2011 —

    Washington State Patrol joined forces with local police in Kings County on Thursday night. During a 12-hour period on St. Patrick’s Day, police arrested 29 drivers for driving under the influence. This is more than double the usual number of arrests on a Thursday evening, thus far this year. To add to the normal Thursday … [More]

16. Seattle DUI Fraud? Or Does Fraud Matter?

    Mar 23, 2011 —

    Steve Miletich and the Seattle Times wrote a follow up article discussing why the issue of fraud matters in DUI cases.  Kevin Trombold is quoted.  You can read the article here. … [More]

17. Seattle DUI Cases Suspended

    Mar 22, 2011 —

    As of Monday, the City Attorney’s office is reviewing the past and present DUI cases based on allegations that some DUI cases may have been mishandled. Local News | City suspends DUI cases while police investigate rubber-stamping of arrests | Seattle Times Newspaper The investigation is based on accusations that arrest reports were not screened … [More]

18. The Toxicologist’s New Suit

    Mar 15, 2011 —

    In Hans Christian Andersen’s childhood story The Emperor’s New Clothes, the naked Emperor is pressured to proclaim his new clothes visible when in fact even he could not see them.  The two tailors who swindled him used the fear that he would be seen as unfit for his position as Emperor or simply stupid to … [More]

19. Class Action Lawsuit Challenges Breath Test Results

    Mar 10, 2011 —

    A class action lawsuit was filed in Vancouver, Canada last week, challenging penalties given to drivers under new drunk driving legislation. Class-action lawsuit challenges DUI charges As of September 20, new legislation came into effect that penalizes a driver who is driving with a blood concentration of between .05 to .08. If the breathalyzer finds … [More]

20. Target Zero Sets its Sights on Super Bowl Fan

    Feb 16, 2011 —

    If you enjoyed a Super Bowl party several Sundays ago you may have seen them on the roadside. Target Zero was out in force in King, Pierce and Snohomish Counties  for Super Bowl Sunday, looking for Super Bowl fans that had too much to drink. Three dozen offices were out on patrol in the hours … [More]

21. Texting While Driving – New Laws

    Feb 15, 2011 —

    Horrible things happen every day.   And there is a legislative congressman or woman waiting to write a new law to claim victory come election time.  Well thought policy changes often don’t come from horrible crimes that make for good headlines.    But the fact is now law enforcement has text messaging to add the … [More]

22. New Report Shows 1 in 12 Over .08 Breath Alcohol Leaving Major Sporting Events

    Jan 25, 2011 —

    Not surprisingly, people that tailgated before a game were 14 times more likely to be over a .08 breath level. Younger fans (under 35) were more likely to be over the .08 level … [More]

23. Thousands of Washington State Drivers Arrested for Holiday DUIs

    Jan 14, 2011 —

    The Washington Traffic Safety Commission funded more than 25 extra patrols over the holiday season, including the “Drive Hammered, Get Nailed” campaign in Kings County. These patrols were created to specifically look for people who had too much holiday fun, traveling from office Christmas parties, Christmas functions and family get-togethers. More than 3,577 alleged drunk … [More]

24. New Washington State DUI Laws Should Be Proposed Today

    Jan 10, 2011 —

    January 2011 will bring new DUI laws … [More]

25. A California Man with 19 DUI Convictions Faces Jail Time

    Dec 31, 2010 —

    19 DUI Convictions William Beal, 65, from Santa Rosa, California has 19 DUI convictions and is now facing a 3 year jail sentence for violating terms of probation for his most recent DUI arrest. Beal was convicted of his 19th DUI in early December for a DUI that occurred back in July. His extraordinary number … [More]