Personal Injury and Criminal Defense Legal Blog
Category – DUI
Washington State Patrol Troopers were busy Wednesday Morning, Making four DUI arrests
In the morning commute, Washington State Patrol Troopers arrested four people for Driving Under the Influence, one for alcohol and the other three for impairment to drug use. One suspect was investigated following a traffic accident with a school bus. Two other suspects were criminally charged with possession of marijuana.
Washington State Schools Superintendent was arrested and faces criminal charge of DUI
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Randy Dorn has been charged with one count of driving under the influence, a criminal offense. Aaron Walls, prosecutor for the city of Orting in Pierce County, said he decided to file the charge after reviewing police reports and other evidence, which he said he received at the end of the day Tuesday. The criminal charge is a gross misdemeanor, with a maximum penalty of one year in jail and a $5,000 fine. According to State Patrol records, Dorn submitted to two breath tests showing a blood-alcohol level of .11.
Traffic Stops Could Result in Blood Tests
According to examiner.com, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is promoting a new program that will allow properly trained law enforcement officers to take blood samples from individuals whom they suspect of driving under the influence and being intoxicated. In Washington, it was recently ruled by the court that officers have the right to force a blood draw from individuals whom they suspect of driving while under the influence; as it was determined that a person’s blood is considered evidence and therefore capable of being seized. Though an individual may initially refuse such testing, a warrant can be obtained requiring the individual to submit so as to determine blood alcohol concentration.
While the article says that individuals have the right to refuse to submit to alcohol tests in the form of breathalyzers and other chemical testing, it does point out the important detail that a person’s blood is considered evidence. While penalties for refusing more traditional testing take the form of license suspension, refusal of one’s blood is not a valid option. For residents in Arizona, when given the option of either submitting to traditional testing or having one’s blood drawn, individuals have become more compliant with the former, opting for administered chemical tests over blood submissions. Refusal rates for submitting to chemical tests have dropped from 20% to 8 or 9% since it was deemed that blood testing could be obtained one way or the other.
Of the many arguments against law enforcement officials drawing blood while out in the field, the main objections stem from the idea that law enforcement officials may not be properly trained, and test results, therefore, may not be entirely accurate. While it stands to be determined whether or not mobile blood testing can provide safe and accurate results, it is important for all motorists to realize that they have rights that should not be infringed upon by anyone.
If you have been accused of driving while under the influence, please do not hesitate to contact the criminal defense attorneys at McNeese & Trotsky, PLLC. Our skilled Washington DUI lawyers will examine every detail of your arrest to ensure that your rights were not infringed upon, and will mount the strongest possible defense given the circumstances of your case. If you stand accused, please don’t hesitate to contact us today at 888-282-6977 for a free case consultation.
Source Article:http://www.examiner.com/x-8543-SF-Health-News-Examiner~y2009m9d15-Cops-drawing-blood-in-DUI-fight
Women Charged with DUI More and More Often
According to The Seattle Times, the number of women that are being charged with driving under the influence is on the rise, while the number of men is actually decreasing. While men still consume more alcohol on a regular basis than women do, the gap between them is narrowing, as police are reporting increased instances of female DUI.
Speculation abounds as to the reasons why women DUI charges are becoming more of a regular occurrence. Some analysts suggest that women are being forced to accept more financial responsibilities in the home, possibly due to loss of employment sustained by their spouses during such turbulent times in our economy. Others suggest that women, as opposed to men, are more secretive about drinking habits, and that this notion is simply coming to light as of late as law enforcement has become considerably more privy to watching out for women driving under the influence. In any event, these mitigating circumstances all lead to women driving more often, or at least driving sooner after consuming alcohol or some other inhibitive substance.
Another alarming detail that this article mentions is the fact that women are not engaging in driving under the influence while alone. Unfortunately, many women are choosing to engage in reckless driving practices while their children are in the car with them. The rigors of a busy schedule, and the stress that financial matters and other household issues can create has undoubtedly led to poor judgment, and consequently puts all other motorists on the road in grave danger of becoming another accident statistic.
However, it is important to remember that mitigating factors should not be disregarded as reasoning as to why driving under the influence afflicts a person. In the event that you are charged with driving under the influence, it is vital that you have a Seattle DUI defense attorney on your side that can sort through the details and ensure that you are afforded every right in which you are entitled to. At McNeese & Trotsky, PLLC, our skilled criminal defense attorneys will see to it that you are provided with the strongest possible defense. If you or a loved one is facing DUI charges, please don’t hesitate to call us today at 888-282-6977 for a free consultation.
Source Article:http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2009613225_apuswrongwaycrashwomendrinkers.html