Happy New Year. Effective midnight, January 1, 2009 any driver facing a suspension under either RCW 46.61.5055 or RCW 46.20.3101 is eligible for the Ignition Interlock License. The applications for the Ignition Interlock License and the work vehicle waiver form are availale via this link: DOL IIL...

We're about one month into the world of the IIL and the more we learn, the less we know.  I have been tracking hundreds of emails from our colleagues about the timing problems for many of our clients.  Specifically, the time lapse between application and actually receiving the IIL. Currently, DO...

Starting January 1, 2009, a major change is taking place as it relates to the deprivation of drivers' licenses for those arrested and/or convicted of DUI.  Under the current version of RCW 46.20.391, any driver who is suspended or revoked, may apply for an Occupational Restricted License (ORL) af...

Cowan Kirk Gaston partners BIll Kirk and Eric Gaston both lectured at the annual DUI Defense seminar sponsored by the Washington Foundation for Criminal Justice held in Seattle on January 12th.  The seminar is one of the most well attended seminars of its kind in the country, with approximately 3...

This is the first of what I expect to be several blogs.  I want to use this forum to discuss the implementation of the Ignition Interlock License.  (See RCW 46.20.385). As mentioned at the WFCJ Seminar on December 12th, while I'd like to have the answers for all the questions that inevitably will...

William Kirk just returned from Paradise Island, Bahamas, where he spoke at the 2009 National College of DUI Defense Winter Session.  Bill spoke about 4th and 5th Amendment Suppression Issues on day one of the two day seminar.  Joining Bill as speakers were Donald Ramsell of Illinois, Lenny Stamm...

Cowan Kirk Gaston partner Bill Kirk has been invited to lecture at the Winter Session of the National College for DUI Defense in January on legal issues arising from the 4th and 5th Amendments to the United States Constitution.  It is the third time he has been asked to join the College's faculty...

Over the weekend, a crash occurred when a woman hit a motorcycle cop. The collision occurred on southbound I-5 near 188th St on Saturday night. Both vehicles were southbound in the 10:45pm collision. According to state troopers, the woman was driving under the influence of either drugs or alcoho...

When defending a motorist with a disability, counsel should consider whether or not the results of some or all of the field sobriety tests should be excluded for failure to comply with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. [1] The ADA states in relevant part: No qualified individual ...

1968 was the most important year of my legal career.  I graduated from law school, passed the bar exam, and the people of the state of Washington passed Initiative 242, the implied consent law.  I immediately understood the significance of the first two events.  However, the import of the electio...