From the Annals of it Could Happen to Anyone

A King County Drug Court Diversion Program case manager was recently arrested and charged with driving under the influence – not just once, but twice. Drug court diversion program case managers are intermediaries between treatment agencies and the drug court; they collect information about how patients are progressing and present it to the court. Case managers also act as the court’s treatment experts and give recommendations for patients’/ defendants’ therapy.

According to reports, the case manager’s first DUI incident occurred on February 26, 2011 in Carnation, Washington. He was stopped for driving through a stop sign, and thereafter investigated for DUI. Allegedly, his breath test results were .18, more than double the legal limit in Washington State.

The second DUI incident involving the case manager occurred on June 30, 2011, according to reports; he was pulled over and arrested in Bothell, Washington. Allegedly he refused to provide a breath sample; he smelled of alcohol, and had two beer-bottle caps on his person. His eyes were watery, droopy and bloodshot, and his cheeks were flushed, according to reports. Both cases have now been filed in King County, and the case manager has retained counsel to assist him in dealing with those matters.

Do the actions of one individual call into question the integrity of the entire program itself? In short, yes. Undoubtedly, the DUI incidents and the attendant fallout from them can (and most likely will) impact the case manager’s ability to perform his job duties. Should the case manager really be allowed to pass judgment over people that are in the drug diversion program? Is he not throwing 10,000 pound boulders at glass houses? It would only stand to reason that if our government chooses to implement programs to help those using (or who are otherwise addicted to) drugs, that we have absolute 100% integrity in operating those program(s). Is it reasonable to expect (or to believe) that one who works with drug diversion defendants can do the very thing that he is telling those folks not to do? Of course not, right? That would be silly and hypocritical, right? Or is it? See, anyone can be arrested and charged with DUI. Perhaps one should be cautious before picking up that 10,000 pound boulder. Pragmatism is bliss, and modesty and compassion are virtues that should be implemented at every turn because before you know it, “the shoe may be on the other foot,” as they say — just ask a recently charged King County Drug Diversion Program case manager.

Because of the significant implications a DUI arrest and/or conviction can have, it is imperative that a person charged with DUI in Washington State immediately retain a qualified Seattle DUI lawyer or a qualified Bellevue DUI lawyer. In many instances, a qualified Seattle DUI lawyer can significantly reduce the impact that a DUI charge will have on an individual’s life. The right Seattle DUI attorney will be worth his/her weight in gold when protecting a person’s rights, freedom and future. The Seattle DUI attorneys that make up the litigation team of SQ Attorneys are dedicated to defending those accused of drunk driving. They have the experience, knowledge and resources to successfully defend your case. Unlike other law firms that practice in many areas of the law, SQ Attorneys is focused on criminal defense representation with an emphasis on DUI defense in Western Washington.

If you or a loved one is faced with a DUI charge in Western Washington, you deserve the assistance of a reputable and qualified Seattle DUI attorney who will relentlessly defend your case. You deserve a Seattle DUI lawyer who has an intimate understanding of Washington DUI laws and the legal issues that could win your case. You deserve a Seattle DUI attorney who is not afraid to stand up against the prosecution and aggressively fight for your rights and interests. SQ Attorneys is the right Western Washington DUI law firm for the job. Call for a free initial consultation – (206) 441.0900 (Seattle); (425) 998-8384 (Eastside) – it will be the best decision you make all day.

Leave a reply