Monthly Archives: March 2012

43 DUI Arrests Over St Patrick’s Day

During a 24-hour period over the St. Patrick’s Day weekend, State Patrol troopers say they arrested 43 drunks behind the wheel – and the strangest case was a woman busted for blocking the King County Jail entrance. Just before 2 a.m. on March 18, a trooper trying to get into the jail entrance saw it… Continue Reading »

Firearm Laws – Should they be Stricter?

The shootings of three children over the past month have gun-safety advocates demanding tougher firearms laws in Washington. But on the opposite side of the bench, gun-rights supporters say no law can prevent the mistakes that led to the shootings of the children, two of which were killed, the other of which was left with… Continue Reading »

State Patrol Officer Hit by Drunk Driver

A WSP trooper has a close call after an alleged drunk driver nearly ran him over last Saturday. The trooper had just stopped another alleged DUI driver on the southbound shoulder of SR-101 when a car came barreling down the highway and smashed into his patrol car, according to WSP. The trooper, who’s a three-year… Continue Reading »

Proposed DUI Changes Awaiting Governor Approval

On March 8, 2012 the Washington State Legislature approved a host of changes to state laws against driving under the influence (“DUI”) of alcohol or drugs. The proposed laws awaiting the governor’s signature would: (1) keep felony DUI-related convictions on a person’s criminal record permanently; (2) require impaired drivers who get their licenses reinstated to… Continue Reading »

To Legalize or to Not Legalize, That is the Question

Legalization of Marijuana? Some are in favor, others not so much. Washington State’s effort is outlined in Initiative 502 (I-502). I-502 would ultimately license and tax a private marijuana industry. Adults over 21 would be allowed 1 ounce of marijuana bought from a licensed store. Users would be allowed to drive with marijuana’s active ingredient,… Continue Reading »

St. Patty’s Day Patrol

Pierce County law enforcement agencies will be teaming up next Saturday, March 17th to help keep local roads safe. Last year, according to Pierce County authorities, a similar patrol resulted in more than 30 arrests. Following each arrest, law enforcement officers will hit up bars and residences where drunk drivers say they had been drinking… Continue Reading »

Washington DUI Laws Expanded

State lawmakers have been continuously working towards increasing penalties and fines for those who drive under the influence of alcohol and drugs, or commit vehicular homicide. To that end the Washington state Legislator in Olympia recently agreed to unanimously pass a bill cracking down on people driving under the influence. The new legislations expanded Washington… Continue Reading »

WA Amongst Worst in DUI Fatalities

Washington has one of the highest DUI fatality rates in the nation, according to Mothers Against Drunk Driving. The advocacy group also gives Washington 3 out of 5 stars when it comes to keeping drunk drivers off the roads. MADD says there were 206 DUI-related traffic deaths in Washington state in 2009, making up about… Continue Reading »

Attorney Criminally Charged

Even attorneys can be criminally charged; attorneys are not immune from criminal allegations. Case in point – a Bellevue attorney, George Atwater, was recently charged with wire fraud for alleged involvement in embezzling $10 million from an investor in an Indonesian oil-and-gas scheme. Mr. Atwater was vice president and general counsel of Laramie Petroleum as… Continue Reading »

Fired Spokane Officer Gets Job Back

A Spokane police officer fired in 2009 after driving drunk while off duty, hitting a pickup with his truck and leaving the scene of the collision is likely to be rehired and get more than two years of back pay – totaling about $275,000. The Spokesman Review reports that in a settlement mediated by the… Continue Reading »