Reported from goskagit.com regarding a DUI subject late last year.
Law enforcement officials believed the same man who stole an 18-pack of beer from a Mount Vernon convenience store was arrested just an hour later for DUI in Skagit County. The man was driving a Honda with a white bumper. The Skagit County DUI suspect’s identity was confirmed by video surveillance at the store where the theft occurred. The man could face theft and DUI charges.
For information on your Washington State DUI please contact our Snohomish County DUI attorneys, King County DUI attorneys, Island County DUI attorneys, or Skagit County DUI attorneys at 425-493-1115 or check out our website at http://www.washdui.com
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Skagit County DUIs - Must I appear at all court dates?
If you have been charged with a Skagit County DUI you MUST appear for the preliminary court appearance (your first court appearance). You must also appear for every subsequent court appearance - unless your attorney has you completed a "waiver of presence." This document, when executed properly, will save you from going to all following Skagit County DUI court appearances unless the Judge demands you be there or there is a final disposition. This knowledge can save you a lot of valuable time and stress in your Skagit County DUI case.
For information on your Washington State DUI please contact our Snohomish County DUI attorneys, King County DUI attorneys, Island County DUI attorneys, or Skagit County DUI attorneys at 425-493-1115 or check out our website at http://www.washdui.com
For information on your Washington State DUI please contact our Snohomish County DUI attorneys, King County DUI attorneys, Island County DUI attorneys, or Skagit County DUI attorneys at 425-493-1115 or check out our website at http://www.washdui.com
How to a Beat Skagit County DUI - Rule Number 1
If you have been charged with a DUI in Skagit County and wonder how you can defeat it, read on. Over the course of the next few weeks I will be blogging about the ways you can beat the DUI charge in Skagit County. However, the first thing I must address is what "beat" means. Defeating a DUI does not necessarily mean "dismissing" a DUI. Although our law firm does have many DUIs dismissed, it is rare and sometimes the product of luck, circumstance, or risk (ie. trial). The words "beat" or "defeat" in the DUI context means either dismissing or, more likely, amending (changing) the DUI charge to something less severe or harmful.
So, rule number 1 in "beating" a Skagit County DUI charge is understanding that the first goal is to end up with a result that is better than DUI.
Look for rule number 2 which will be posted tomorrow.
For information on your Washington State DUI please contact our Snohomish County DUI attorneys, King County DUI attorneys, Island County DUI attorneys, or Skagit County DUI attorneys at 425-493-1115 or check out our website at http://www.washdui.com
So, rule number 1 in "beating" a Skagit County DUI charge is understanding that the first goal is to end up with a result that is better than DUI.
Look for rule number 2 which will be posted tomorrow.
For information on your Washington State DUI please contact our Snohomish County DUI attorneys, King County DUI attorneys, Island County DUI attorneys, or Skagit County DUI attorneys at 425-493-1115 or check out our website at http://www.washdui.com
Monday, February 1, 2010
Most DUIs in Snohomish and Skagit County come from Tulalip Resort
By Jerry Cornfield
Herald Writer
OLYMPIA -- Tulalip Resort Casino bills itself as "the No. 1 place for fun," but it's not proud of its top ranking in the state among those who celebrate too much.
More people arrested in 2008 on suspicion of drunken driving said in a completely unscientific tally that the Tulalip Tribes' resort hotel or one of its two casinos was the last place they had a drink before meeting up with a law enforcement officer.
According to data compiled by the state Liquor Control Board, 59 people arrested for drunken driving last year told officers their last drink came at the Tulalip Resort Casino. One of those people even had a blood alcohol level of .305, nearly four times the legal limit.
"It's more than we wanted," said Brett Magnan, executive vice president of the Tulalip Resort Casino, where 4.3 million people visited in 2008.
The state Liquor Control Board develops the list by gleaning information from DUI arrest reports of city, county, tribal and state law enforcement officers.
No one contacted Friday could say how many people total had been arrested for drunken driving throughout the state by the various agencies.
The data is taken from reports made after an arrest, when officers ask a person how much they had to drink and where they had their last drink, said Sgt. Freddy Williams of the Washington State Patrol.
Not every person answers because they do have a constitutional right to remain silent, Williams said.
Even so, officers are not compelled to ask. And it was not clear whether the data includes whether a person said they had been drinking at home, work or elsewhere that was not a bar, such as at a softball game at a park or at a family reunion.
"We don't publicize the list because the data itself is hearsay," Liquor board spokesman Brian Smith said. "We use this data as a tool to help our law enforcement folks on where they may want to put their resources.
"We want to cut down on the number of DUIs and on the number of people getting overserved in bars," where the agency has jurisdiction, he said.
Another caveat of the list: Tulalip Resort Casino and the other businesses may not be where a person got drunk. It may only be their final stopover after drinking heavily elsewhere, Smith said.
Overall, the number of DUI arrests by State Patrol officers dropped in 2008 from 2007.
Preliminary figures for 2008 show there were 20,342 arrests statewide, of which 2,687 were in Snohomish County. In 2007, State Patrol officers arrested 22,253 people on suspicion of DUI, of which 3,554 of those were in Snohomish County.
Washington State Patrol already knows pretty well "where most of the drunks are coming from," Williams said.
There's a history of arrests and of collisions in which alcohol is a factor, he said.
As a result they've deployed extra patrols in different parts of the state, including the I-5 corridor through Marysville and Everett, he said.
Magnan's voice was steeped in frustration Friday as he described how the list doesn't reflect the Tulalips' efforts to keep overly inebriated patrons from leaving the casino and driving.
Free cab rides and free stays in the hotel kept hundreds of people off the road last year. And servers are trained to not provide alcohol to those who appear to have had too much, he said.
Sometimes these patrons get upset and head out the door to their car.
"We call police if a person who shouldn't be driving goes out to drive," he said, adding that such action undoubtedly increased their total.
Tulalip Resort Casino supplants Shotze's in Everett at the top of the state's list.
Shotze's Rack N' Roll held the dubious top ranking in 2007, when 67 people named the bar and restaurant as where they had a final drink before getting behind the wheel. This year the business dropped to sixth with its name showing up on 31 reports.
"I'm really glad we're down the list," owner Darryl Cloer said Friday.
He said he thinks a combination of increased training of servers and patrols in the area by Everett police is helping.
"And hopefully people are taking more responsibility this year," he said.
Other Snohomish County establishments near the top of the list are JR's Steakhouse & Bar in Marysville and Jet Bar and Grill in Mill Creek, each named by 19 people, and Foxy's Steak & Spirits in Everett, identified on 15 reports.
Snohomish County Sheriff John Lovick said Friday he couldn't criticize any firm that appears on the list.
"I know they're working hard," he said. "The businesses are working to be responsible, and the consumers need to be more responsible."
For information on your Washington State DUI please contact our Snohomish County DUI attorneys, King County DUI attorneys, Island County DUI attorneys, or Skagit County DUI attorneys at 425-493-1115 or check out our website at http://www.washdui.com
Herald Writer
OLYMPIA -- Tulalip Resort Casino bills itself as "the No. 1 place for fun," but it's not proud of its top ranking in the state among those who celebrate too much.
More people arrested in 2008 on suspicion of drunken driving said in a completely unscientific tally that the Tulalip Tribes' resort hotel or one of its two casinos was the last place they had a drink before meeting up with a law enforcement officer.
According to data compiled by the state Liquor Control Board, 59 people arrested for drunken driving last year told officers their last drink came at the Tulalip Resort Casino. One of those people even had a blood alcohol level of .305, nearly four times the legal limit.
"It's more than we wanted," said Brett Magnan, executive vice president of the Tulalip Resort Casino, where 4.3 million people visited in 2008.
The state Liquor Control Board develops the list by gleaning information from DUI arrest reports of city, county, tribal and state law enforcement officers.
No one contacted Friday could say how many people total had been arrested for drunken driving throughout the state by the various agencies.
The data is taken from reports made after an arrest, when officers ask a person how much they had to drink and where they had their last drink, said Sgt. Freddy Williams of the Washington State Patrol.
Not every person answers because they do have a constitutional right to remain silent, Williams said.
Even so, officers are not compelled to ask. And it was not clear whether the data includes whether a person said they had been drinking at home, work or elsewhere that was not a bar, such as at a softball game at a park or at a family reunion.
"We don't publicize the list because the data itself is hearsay," Liquor board spokesman Brian Smith said. "We use this data as a tool to help our law enforcement folks on where they may want to put their resources.
"We want to cut down on the number of DUIs and on the number of people getting overserved in bars," where the agency has jurisdiction, he said.
Another caveat of the list: Tulalip Resort Casino and the other businesses may not be where a person got drunk. It may only be their final stopover after drinking heavily elsewhere, Smith said.
Overall, the number of DUI arrests by State Patrol officers dropped in 2008 from 2007.
Preliminary figures for 2008 show there were 20,342 arrests statewide, of which 2,687 were in Snohomish County. In 2007, State Patrol officers arrested 22,253 people on suspicion of DUI, of which 3,554 of those were in Snohomish County.
Washington State Patrol already knows pretty well "where most of the drunks are coming from," Williams said.
There's a history of arrests and of collisions in which alcohol is a factor, he said.
As a result they've deployed extra patrols in different parts of the state, including the I-5 corridor through Marysville and Everett, he said.
Magnan's voice was steeped in frustration Friday as he described how the list doesn't reflect the Tulalips' efforts to keep overly inebriated patrons from leaving the casino and driving.
Free cab rides and free stays in the hotel kept hundreds of people off the road last year. And servers are trained to not provide alcohol to those who appear to have had too much, he said.
Sometimes these patrons get upset and head out the door to their car.
"We call police if a person who shouldn't be driving goes out to drive," he said, adding that such action undoubtedly increased their total.
Tulalip Resort Casino supplants Shotze's in Everett at the top of the state's list.
Shotze's Rack N' Roll held the dubious top ranking in 2007, when 67 people named the bar and restaurant as where they had a final drink before getting behind the wheel. This year the business dropped to sixth with its name showing up on 31 reports.
"I'm really glad we're down the list," owner Darryl Cloer said Friday.
He said he thinks a combination of increased training of servers and patrols in the area by Everett police is helping.
"And hopefully people are taking more responsibility this year," he said.
Other Snohomish County establishments near the top of the list are JR's Steakhouse & Bar in Marysville and Jet Bar and Grill in Mill Creek, each named by 19 people, and Foxy's Steak & Spirits in Everett, identified on 15 reports.
Snohomish County Sheriff John Lovick said Friday he couldn't criticize any firm that appears on the list.
"I know they're working hard," he said. "The businesses are working to be responsible, and the consumers need to be more responsible."
For information on your Washington State DUI please contact our Snohomish County DUI attorneys, King County DUI attorneys, Island County DUI attorneys, or Skagit County DUI attorneys at 425-493-1115 or check out our website at http://www.washdui.com
Seattle Police officer arrested for DUI
03:48 PM PDT on Friday, April 29, 2005
(© KING5.com)
BREMERTON, Wash.– A Seattle Police officer was arrested for suspicion of drunken driving earlier this month, the Washington State Patrol confirmed Friday.
Scott Moss, who until recently was a department spokesman and one of the public faces of the SPD, was pulled over at about 2 a.m. April 2 on Kitsap Way outside Bremerton, according to the WSP.
Moss was allegedly going 10 mph. over the posted speed limit of 35 mph.
According to the Patrol, the trooper noticed signs that Moss had been drinking and also learned that Moss was a Seattle Police Officer.
Moss was arrested after he failed a field sobriety test and his car was impounded. Moss later took a blood alcohol content test, the results of which were not made available.
He was then taken to a nearby relative's house where he was cited for DUI and released.
The citation said Moss acted in a professional and polite way and cooperated with the trooper.
For information on your Washington State DUI please contact our Snohomish County DUI attorneys, King County DUI attorneys, Island County DUI attorneys, or Skagit County DUI attorneys at 425-493-1115 or check out our website at http://www.washdui.com
(© KING5.com)
BREMERTON, Wash.– A Seattle Police officer was arrested for suspicion of drunken driving earlier this month, the Washington State Patrol confirmed Friday.
Scott Moss, who until recently was a department spokesman and one of the public faces of the SPD, was pulled over at about 2 a.m. April 2 on Kitsap Way outside Bremerton, according to the WSP.
Moss was allegedly going 10 mph. over the posted speed limit of 35 mph.
According to the Patrol, the trooper noticed signs that Moss had been drinking and also learned that Moss was a Seattle Police Officer.
Moss was arrested after he failed a field sobriety test and his car was impounded. Moss later took a blood alcohol content test, the results of which were not made available.
He was then taken to a nearby relative's house where he was cited for DUI and released.
The citation said Moss acted in a professional and polite way and cooperated with the trooper.
For information on your Washington State DUI please contact our Snohomish County DUI attorneys, King County DUI attorneys, Island County DUI attorneys, or Skagit County DUI attorneys at 425-493-1115 or check out our website at http://www.washdui.com
Washington State COP arrested for DUI
Yes, those law enforcement officers who arrest you for DUI can also get arrested. Chech back here for an upcoming list of law enforcement who have been charged with DUI in Snohomish County, Skagit County, Island County and King County.
SPOKANE -- A lieutenant with the Spokane County Sheriff's Office was arrested on a DUI charge early Friday after the man crashed his Lincoln Navigator into a tree and then a power pole in Liberty Lake.
Stephen Jones was arrested by the Washington State Patrol at the hospital where he was being treated for a head laceration after the early morning crash near the intersection of 3rd and Molter Road in Liberty Lake. Someone called 9-1-1 to report there had been a one-vehicle rollover crash at the location and a power pole was down across the road, knocking out power to the neighborhood.
When officers arrived on the scene they noticed Jones was "exhibiting signs of alcohol impairment". While he was at the hospital being treated a blood draw was done by the Washington State Patrol and Jones was released afterward.
“It is typical for us not to book people that we arrest for DUIs,” Washington State Patrol Trooper Troy Briggs said. “In fact in Spokane County close to 73-percent of the people we arrest for DUI are cited and released so they’re not boThe blood evidence was forwarded to the State Crime Lab for analysis to confirm whether or not Jones was legally intoxicated. The results won't be back for up to 30 days.
Meanwhile members of the local law enforcement community are dismayed at the news that one of their own was involved in a DUI.
“It shouldn’t happen to policemen, when it does its disappointing but I know a lot of people were surprised it was Steve,” Spokane County Sheriff’s Sergeant Dave Reagan said.
According to court documents, this type of behavior is something Jones' wife says she's very familiar with.
In a statement filed last July as part of the couple’s divorce she said, “I believe Mr. Jones has a substantial alcohol abuse issue. He does not come home many nights as he becomes too drunk to drive although there are many nights where he does drive while intoxicated."
In a response to his wife’s claims Jones said “I do not abuse alcohol" adding that "Mrs. Jones and I both enjoy a glass of wine or a beer after work."
Jones, who has been a member of the sheriff's office since 1984, took the day off and didn't show up to work, Sergeant Dave Reagan said in a sheriff's office release. Jones is currently serving in an administrative position in the department where he oversees the Sheriff's Reserve Program, Explorers Program and school resource deputies.
The sheriff’s office doesn’t anticipate any changes to his work status.
Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich is attending a conference in Georgia this week and has been advised of the situation. In order to prevent the appearance of bias the Washington State Patrol has taken over the DUI investigation. oked into jail.”
For information on your Washington State DUI please contact our Snohomish County DUI attorneys, King County DUI attorneys, Island County DUI attorneys, or Skagit County DUI attorneys at 425-493-1115 or check out our website at http://www.washdui.com
SPOKANE -- A lieutenant with the Spokane County Sheriff's Office was arrested on a DUI charge early Friday after the man crashed his Lincoln Navigator into a tree and then a power pole in Liberty Lake.
Stephen Jones was arrested by the Washington State Patrol at the hospital where he was being treated for a head laceration after the early morning crash near the intersection of 3rd and Molter Road in Liberty Lake. Someone called 9-1-1 to report there had been a one-vehicle rollover crash at the location and a power pole was down across the road, knocking out power to the neighborhood.
When officers arrived on the scene they noticed Jones was "exhibiting signs of alcohol impairment". While he was at the hospital being treated a blood draw was done by the Washington State Patrol and Jones was released afterward.
“It is typical for us not to book people that we arrest for DUIs,” Washington State Patrol Trooper Troy Briggs said. “In fact in Spokane County close to 73-percent of the people we arrest for DUI are cited and released so they’re not boThe blood evidence was forwarded to the State Crime Lab for analysis to confirm whether or not Jones was legally intoxicated. The results won't be back for up to 30 days.
Meanwhile members of the local law enforcement community are dismayed at the news that one of their own was involved in a DUI.
“It shouldn’t happen to policemen, when it does its disappointing but I know a lot of people were surprised it was Steve,” Spokane County Sheriff’s Sergeant Dave Reagan said.
According to court documents, this type of behavior is something Jones' wife says she's very familiar with.
In a statement filed last July as part of the couple’s divorce she said, “I believe Mr. Jones has a substantial alcohol abuse issue. He does not come home many nights as he becomes too drunk to drive although there are many nights where he does drive while intoxicated."
In a response to his wife’s claims Jones said “I do not abuse alcohol" adding that "Mrs. Jones and I both enjoy a glass of wine or a beer after work."
Jones, who has been a member of the sheriff's office since 1984, took the day off and didn't show up to work, Sergeant Dave Reagan said in a sheriff's office release. Jones is currently serving in an administrative position in the department where he oversees the Sheriff's Reserve Program, Explorers Program and school resource deputies.
The sheriff’s office doesn’t anticipate any changes to his work status.
Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich is attending a conference in Georgia this week and has been advised of the situation. In order to prevent the appearance of bias the Washington State Patrol has taken over the DUI investigation. oked into jail.”
For information on your Washington State DUI please contact our Snohomish County DUI attorneys, King County DUI attorneys, Island County DUI attorneys, or Skagit County DUI attorneys at 425-493-1115 or check out our website at http://www.washdui.com
Prosecutors push to reinstate breathalyzer readings as evidence in King County DUI cases
As reported by Denise Whitaker of Komo News. Get ready for another long hard ride folks! This BAC suppression issue applies to King County DUI cases but you may remember the same issues were raised in Skagit County DUI cases (Judges initially rejected the ruling then reconsidered), in Island County DUI cases (Judges went against the grain - what is new in Island Co- and denied the motion stating that even though the BACs are flawed they are good enough for Island Co), and in Snohomish County DUI cases (ruled in favor of defendants then later Judge Goodwin changed his mind).
SEATTLE -- There's a push to get breathalyzer readings reinstated as admissible evidence in courtrooms in Washington state.
Breathalyzers haven't been allowed as evidence following a 2-year-old ruling that stemmed from major problems at the state toxicology lab.
But things have changed since. For starters, the Read the old lab chief is gone; the lab has a new boss. And the lab has earned international accreditation.
And King County Prosecutor Dan Satterberg believes it's time to once again allow breathalyzer readings in court.
King County prosecutors handle as many as 5,000 DUI cases a year. And for the past two years, they've had to prosecute those cases without breath test results after the court ruled sloppy work at the state toxicology lab made those tests inaccurate and unreliable.
But Satterberg says
But defense attorneys aren't so convinced.
Attorney Kevin Trombold claims the system is still flawed as the tests contain a margin of error that the state lab still does not report.
"Without knowing that, we don't know if we're convicting innocent people or we're letting guilty people go free," he said. "We just don't know. So they have the ability to quantify that, but they're choosing not to."
According to Trooper Ken Denton, however, the lab does report any margin of error when attorneys make a request. By law, the error rate can be no more than 5 percent.
Satterberg has identified nine cases in which he believes the breathalyzer test results should be permitted, and plans to cite those cases in his argument before the court.
"I'm convinced that the toxicology lab has taken sufficient steps to make the product - and that is the breath alcohol reading - a reliable product," he said.
For information on your Washington State DUI please contact our Snohomish County DUI attorneys, King County DUI attorneys, Island County DUI attorneys, or Skagit County DUI attorneys at 425-493-1115 or check out our website at http://www.washdui.com
SEATTLE -- There's a push to get breathalyzer readings reinstated as admissible evidence in courtrooms in Washington state.
Breathalyzers haven't been allowed as evidence following a 2-year-old ruling that stemmed from major problems at the state toxicology lab.
But things have changed since. For starters, the Read the old lab chief is gone; the lab has a new boss. And the lab has earned international accreditation.
And King County Prosecutor Dan Satterberg believes it's time to once again allow breathalyzer readings in court.
King County prosecutors handle as many as 5,000 DUI cases a year. And for the past two years, they've had to prosecute those cases without breath test results after the court ruled sloppy work at the state toxicology lab made those tests inaccurate and unreliable.
But Satterberg says
But defense attorneys aren't so convinced.
Attorney Kevin Trombold claims the system is still flawed as the tests contain a margin of error that the state lab still does not report.
"Without knowing that, we don't know if we're convicting innocent people or we're letting guilty people go free," he said. "We just don't know. So they have the ability to quantify that, but they're choosing not to."
According to Trooper Ken Denton, however, the lab does report any margin of error when attorneys make a request. By law, the error rate can be no more than 5 percent.
Satterberg has identified nine cases in which he believes the breathalyzer test results should be permitted, and plans to cite those cases in his argument before the court.
"I'm convinced that the toxicology lab has taken sufficient steps to make the product - and that is the breath alcohol reading - a reliable product," he said.
For information on your Washington State DUI please contact our Snohomish County DUI attorneys, King County DUI attorneys, Island County DUI attorneys, or Skagit County DUI attorneys at 425-493-1115 or check out our website at http://www.washdui.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)