Total DUI

Earlier this week, Total DUI detailed how problems at the Washington State Toxicology Laboratory, including questions about a mixture solution testing the accuracy of breathalyzers, could affect certain DUI cases. For more of a back story, Washington DUI attorneys had begun arguing for the dismissal of DUI cases or at least the reduction of charges after it was learned that the manager of the state toxicology lab had been signing papers saying that she had tested the ethanol-water solution when in fact she hadn't done so.

With that said, Eastern Washington Whitman County prosecutors, fearing that certain DUI charges wouldn't hold up in court, have agreed to plea bargains in 30 of 80 Washington DUI cases. This decision on Wednesday could loom large throughout the state, as other county prosecutors may be forced to make similar concessions in wake of the problems at the state toxicology lab. It has been estimated that this initial hearing about the breathalyzer results in Whitman County could affect hundreds of DUI cases in the state!

The Shoddy work does not stop with just the solution problems. I believe the other problems far outweigh the Breath tests. How about the blood work that they are trying to keep secret?? How about the stomach contents and cause of death toxicology that is being hidden?? That whole lab system is a mess and as the recent 3 judge panel said in their finding that the director needs to be fired and the whole structure needs to be fixed. My own experience as a retired police officer tells me that the operation needs to be taken from the WSP. Even a private contractor would be better. There is a shodow of doubt cast on every case they have touched. The sloven work on even one case is not acceptable. Someone's life is going to be impacted by this shoddy, uncaring system. Another example of why Lady Justice wears a blindfold while holding the scales of "JUSTICE".