WASHINGTON STATE DUI BLOG

Was my Seattle DUI arrest videotaped?

Yes. Most of time - your Seattle DUI arrest will be on video. This includes a video in the Seattle Police Dept. (SPD) patrol car for the DUI stop/arrest and a separate video for the BAC (Breath Testing) room at the police station. The BAC video does not have sound and often the patrol car video will conveniently not show the roadside field sobriety tests (FST's). Nevertheless, most of the time the video's tend to be helpful to the defense. (i.e. the video shows that the 15-minute observation period was not complied with properly)

What are some of the things my DUI attorney will investigate?

There is no limit to what things your DUI attorney could investigate. He or she is just limited by their imagination and the facts of your case. This is just a starting point - every case will have it's unique facts.

However, here are some of the things, I would do in DUI or Physical Control cases:

• Interview the officer or trooper and any other witnesses;
• Interview the toxicologist and breath test technician (if case set for trial)
• Visit the scene of the roadside field sobriety tests (FST);
• Visit the location of the driving and stop;
• Review all breath/blood tests records; 
• Review client's medical records; 
• Review service history of client's vehicle; 
• Review client's mental health records/prescriptions;
• Review photographs of breath testing room;
• Review any photographs or videos of the incident;
• Take or obtain photographs of the FST and stop location;
• Map out client's driving;
• Create a time-line for the entire incident;
• Request through a Public Disclosure Request (PDR) the incident report, 911 tapes and patrol vehicle videos. 
• Review police report databases; 

Can I interview the officer that arrested me for DUI?

Yes. The defense is entitled to interview the officer and/or trooper and every other prosecution witness in every DUI or Physical Control case. Your attorney or the attorney's investigator should do this for your case. Sometimes, the interview is conducted in-person with a prosecutor present or simply over the telephone.