DUI/BUI Articles and Opinions

Record Number of BUI Citations at Seafair 2007

The 2007 Seafair weekend has come and gone, and accelerating a trend which began in 2005, more boaters were arrested for operating their vessel under the influence of alcohol then ever before. According to both the Seattle Times and PI, over 130 boaters were arrested for BUI. Click here to read the full story of the Seafair 2007 BUI Arrests by Bill Kirk.

Integrity of Breath Testing Threatened in DUI Cases in Washington

Dr. Barry Logan, head of the agency responsible for assuring the reliability of breath testing in this state, has acknowledged that the lab manager of the State Toxicology lab falsely signed an undetermined number of legal certificates since 2002 saying she had checked the solution used to confirm that breath testing machines are accurately measuring the alcohol content of breath.  Not surprisingly, Dr. Logan has asserted that this conduct does not affect the accuracy of the breath testing machines involved, virtually every machine in the state.

Unfortunately, Dr. Logan has missed the point.  The issue is the integrity of the system.  The public, and of course the accused, have the absolute right to expect objective, accurate and TRUTHFUL information from every branch of government, but particularly from an agency whose reports can determine the fate of those citizens who are accused of a crime and whose liberty, reputation and career are threatened.

The article announcing this unfortunate turn of events can be found at http://www.theolympian.com/news/story/177077.html

Cowan Law Firm Partners Participate in National College for DUI Defense

Doug Cowan and Bill Kirk, partners at Cowan Smith Kirk Gaston participated in the 13th annual National College for DUI Defense (www.ncdd.com) held in Cambridge, Massachusetts in July.  The College is the premier DUI defense training program in America.  Kirk participated in the entire program, including several intensive workshops, and Cowan conducted four workshops on such diverse topics as Cross-examination of the State’s breath test expert, Cross examination of the Cop, Opening Statements and Closing Arguments, and Dealing with the Difficult Witness.  Cowan is a Founder, past Dean (1996-1997) and Fellow of the College.  Partner Vern Smith is a Founding Member. Kirk is a Sustaining Member, Guest Lecturer and State Delegate to the College for Washington. Partner Eric Gaston is a Graduate of the College.