Released on: January 31, 2008, 12:24 pm

Press Release Author: John Brangwin / Woods & Brangwin, PLLC

Industry: Law

Press Release Summary: King County DUI decision may impact North Central Washington.

Press Release Body: Wenatchee, WA – January 31, 2008 – Wenatchee attorneys John
Brangwin and Steve Woods are closely following the recent King County District Court
decision excluding breath test evidence in DUI cases. A three Judge panel in King
County ruled that all breath tests be suppressed due to systematic misconduct and
incompetence in the Washington State Toxicology Laboratory. The 29 page decision
may be found at: http://www.metrokc.gov/kcdc/ordgrbac.pdf

“While the King County decision is not binding on local courts, the decision will
undoubtedly be reviewed by local judges and may persuade them” John Brangwin said.
Woods and Brangwin have brought similar motions to suppress breath tests in all the
local courts of North Central Washington.

Oral arguments are set to take place in Douglas County District Court on February 20
and in Okanogan County District Court on March 3.

Brangwin reported that his office was able to avoid a hearing in Chelan County by
reaching plea bargains in light of the issue.

In East Wenatchee the City attorney has chosen, on a case-by-case basis, to simply
not offer the breath test as evidence, Brangwin said.

While breath test evidence is usually a key piece of evidence, DUI cases can proceed
forward without it. In such cases, prosecutors rely on evidence of poor driving and
lack of coordination as reported by the arresting officer.


Web Site: http://www.WenatcheeDUI.com

Contact Details: John M. Brangwin, Attorney at Law
Woods & Brangwin, PLLC
517 N. Mission, Suite 2A
Wenatchee, WA 98807-4378
Phone: 509-663-3915
http://www.wenatcheedui.com/
john@wblawfirm.com