Earlier this year, on February 1st, a commander from the Mountlake Terrace police department was arrested under suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI). Around 1:30 am that morning, troopers from the Washington State Patrol pulled over Commander Don Duncan and subsequently arrested him for DUI. Duncan, who is an 18-year-veteran of the department, was driving his own vehicle at the time and was formally charged for DUI on February 26th by a Snohomish County prosecutor. He has been on administrative leave since the arrest and remains on leave pending an internal investigation.
DUIs – No Exceptions
Anyone who pays attention to the news will notice stories of law enforcement officers, public officials, and other individuals of notoriety being arrested for driving under the influence. These stories often garner national attention – perhaps because, as so many believe, these individuals seem to be above the law. As we see in this Mountlake police commander's case, and the cases of so many before him, that simply isn't true.
Anyone can be arrested for drunk driving, and most people throughout the country know of at least one person who has been arrested for DUI. Although preferential treatment may have been given to officers who were stopped for DUI at one time in the past, the many cases that occur today make it clear that law enforcement throughout the nation give no special entitlements of exceptions when it comes to driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Protect Your Rights!
Anyone who is arrested and charged for DUI should only expect to be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. DUIs have become a top priority for prosecutors, and there is a strong movement to convict defendants, penalize them harshly, and set a clear example that drunk driving is not acceptable – for anyone or at any time.
At DUIHeroes, Lynnwood DUI Attorney Jonathan Dichter understands the ways in which DUI cases are being handled in Washington, and he's represented individuals from all walks of life. If you, a family member, or someone you know has been arrested for DUI, allow Attorney Dichter to protect your rights and fight on your behalf.
For more information about your case, defense, and how DUIHeroes can help, call 425-296-9358 for a FREE case evaluation.