Nearly 300 drivers arrested for DUI in King County during 3 week strech

I read an article this afternoon from the Seattle Times discussing the success of the "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" campaign.  Slowly but surely it sounds like it is working, although not at a rate law enforcement or the general public might want.  The excerpt is below but in the same time frame last year there were more than 80 DUI arrests made.  So that is 80 less DUI arrests in King County due to this enforcement.  I for one think that is progress, but you can decide.  Here is the article

A total of 292 drivers were arrested on suspicion of impaired driving in King County during a DUI enforcement campaign that ran from Aug. 16 through Sept. 2.
Last year, during the same time period, officers on routine and extra patrols arrested 374 people for DUI in the county, according to the Washington Traffic Safety Commission.
Statewide, the recent “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” enforcement campaign resulted in 1,420 arrests.

Participating law enforcement agencies in King County included police departments in Auburn, Bellevue, Black Diamond, Burien, Clyde Hill, Covington, Des Moines, Duvall, Enumclaw, Federal Way, Issaquah, Kent, Kirkland, Maple Valley, Mercer Island, Newcastle, North Bend, Port of Seattle, Redmond, Renton, Sammamish, SeaTac, Seattle, Snoqualmie, Tukwila and Woodinville. The Washington State Patrol also participated.

One of the things to keep in mind about this campaign and the Target Zero Task Force which consists of law enforcement officers targeting drunk driving in King County is that it's all federally funded.  Meaning if there isn't a progress shown then that funding probably will be cut off.  

Personally as a Seattle Criminal DUI lawyer I have been seeing more and more drivers arrested and charged with DUI who were well under the legal limit.  I suspect it is due to funding as well as the State Patrol saying they are getting tough on DUIs and showing an "x" amount of DUI drivers arrested and therefore saying its a success.

Remember the phrase "Driver sober or get pulled over" is not just a campaign.  It's the truth there is absolutely no such think as a "legal limit" anymore.  If you have a drop of alcohol in your system then you're fair game to get arrested.  Believe me I have seen it.  Clients with literally a blood alcohol level barely above 0.00 getting arrested and charged for DUI.   

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About the author: Matthew Leyba is a DUI lawyer in Seattle.  His practice focuses on representing those accused of DUI and other traffic related offenses.  If you have been arrested for a DUI call for a free 60 minute consultation to discuss your rights and how to protect them.

Extra DUI patrols this weekend in Seattle

Every major Holiday seems to bring extra DUI emphasis patrols.  This weekend is no different.  The end of summer is usually considered the labor day weekend, and with that come summer ending parties and gatherings and the start of college football.  Both the Seattle Police Department and every other major law enforcement agency are trying to capitalize on people making poor decisions as part of their "Drive hammered get nailed" DUI campaign. 

There will be extra DUI emphasis patrols in all major counties in Washington State.  Including King, Snohomish, and Pierce counties.  Additionally all municipal law enforcement agencies will be ramping up their weekend patrols.

As a Seattle DUI Attorney my advice is not to drink and drive.  Don't even have a drop of alcohol and get behind the wheel.  There is no such thing as a "legal limit" anymore and police are cracking down more and more than ever before.  It's not worth the risk.  Additionally the Prosecutors office is no longer offering reductions even on first time offenses unless there is a complete legal issue that could result in the case being dismissed or a major piece of evidence suppressed.  This includes DUI cases that are under the legal limit. 

However should you find yourself in the unfortunate position of being investigated for DUI.  Here are a couple of things to keep in mind.  Before you answer any questions.  Before you agree to take any field sobriety tests.  And before you agree to take any breath test.  Ask to speak with a DUI Attorney and contact my office in Seattle.  You can't talk yourself out of a DUI, so you might as well start to protect yourself and limit any evidence that may be used against you in the criminal case.  

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Matthew Leyba is a Seattle criminal defense attorney who focuses his practice on DUI defense in Western Washington and it's surrounding areas.

King County District Court - SW Division moving to RJC

If you have been charged with a DUI in King County and you have been going to Court in the SW Division down in Burien, then pretty soon you will be going to Court at the Regional Justice Center or RJC for short in Kent.  Likewise if you have been arrested for a DUI in South King County or even in the Seattle area by certain Target Zero Troopers then your arraignment will be at the RJC if your DUI is filed after the first of week of September.

I have to say I'm sorry to see this move being made.  Early in my career I worked as a public defender in SW District Court.  Some of my first DUI jury trials, and other trials were there.  It's a nice court location, with ample free parking, and it just happens to be next to the best Pho restaurant in Seattle.

The change is being made like all things these days due to budget cuts and the economy.  The Courthouse will still be operated by other municipalities but it's days of handling King County cases are gone.  With the 99 closure expected in the next few years maybe it's a good thing to travel to Kent instead of Burien.

Now don't get me wrong the RJC is not all that bad.  It's a much newer courthouse than the downtown King County courthouse.  It is a much nicer facility in a much nicer area.  It's not as big as the downtown Court, but it is still one of the bigger Courthouses in all of Washington State.

Additionally the move will also be much easier for the public defenders.  The Associated Counsel for the Accused the largest public defense firm in King County has an on office location in Kent.  So those attorneys will not have to travel from their office in Kent to Burien for one case.  Now they can walk over from their office to the RJC.  This will cut down significantly on travel time, and will free up more time for them to work on their cases.  Which is great news if you're currently represented by a PD at ACA.