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Seattle Seahawk Marshawn Lynch: DUI Case Dismissal Denied

Written by David O
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Seattle Seahawk Marshawn Lynch: DUI Case Dismissal Denied

This past Friday, Seattle Seahawk running back, Marshawn Terrell Lynch, was denied by California Judge, Yolanda Northridge, to dismiss his 2012 DUI charge.  Lynch’s DUI attorney also made a motion to suppress evidence during the same court appearance but Judge Northridge also declined the motion.

Marshawn Lynch, aka “Beast Mode”, has been fighting this DUI charge since the Summer of 2012.  He was pulled over by the California Sate Patrol early morning on July 14th for erratically driving in and out of lanes.  According to state patrol officers, Lynch was behind the wheel of a white Ford van and almost side-swiped two other cars while traveling on Interstate 808.  The state patrol officers suspected Lynch had been drinking and began investigating him for possible DUI (driving under the influence).

Allegedly, the power house football player failed the DUI sobriety tests.  He was arrested and taken to the Alameda County Sheriff Department’s North County Jail in Oakland where he submitted to a breath test, which of course came up positive and was over the legal limit of .08.  Official charges of DUI were filed against Lynch on July 18th and he and his DUI defense lawyer plead not guilty to those charges in August 2012.

Beast Mode has been fighting his DUI charge for over a year now and will continue to do so, since Judge Northridge denied his DUI dismissal.  As of now he has a jury trial date set for December 27th, just two days before the Seahawks final regular season game against the Rams on December 29th.  Lynch’s DUI lawyer plans on continuing the case into the new year so court dates won’t interfere with critical football games.

We will keep you updated on Marshawn Lynch’s DUI trial and case outcome.  We will also keep you posted on NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell’s reactions to the case results.  If found guilty, Lynch may face harsh NFL punishments especially since he will be a repeat offender in the eyes of Goodell.  Over three years ago, Goodell suspended Lynch for three games due to a misdemeanor weapons conviction.  Since then, Marshawn Lynch has stayed out of trouble except for this 2012 DUI charge.

Good Luck Beast Mode with your DUI case, and Go Hawks!

 

Written by S.O

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Washington State Drinking Laws You Might Not Know About

Written by David O
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Washington State Drinking Laws You Might Not Know About

Have you ever been to a restaurant or bar and noticed the bartender just keeps serving an obviously intoxicated person more drinks?  Sure it seems the patron accepting the drinks is on cloud 9 having a great time and the bartender hopes their tip will increase with each new drink made, but what both of these people are unaware of is that over service of alcohol is illegal in the State of Washington.  Or have you ever seen a bartender turn and take a quick shot during a hectic night of work?  Seems like they should be allowed to drink when the bar is that crazy busy, however, drinking while at work is illegal too.

Here are a few Washington State laws pertaining to drinking alcohol that you might not know about.

1.  Over Service of Alcohol (RCW 66.44.200, WAC 314.16.150)

  • Alcohol may not be sold to an individual that is intoxicated.
  • An individual that is obviously intoxicated may not possess alcohol, open or unopened.
  • All alcohol must be removed from an overly intoxicated individual and further service of alcohol must be refused.
  • An intoxicated customer may remain at your business as long as they do not possess alcohol, this allows time for them to sober up and prevent situations like DUI (driving under the influence).

2.  Disorderly Conduct by Business Owners, Staff, or Customers (WAC 314.11.015)

  • Businesses can not allow disorderly conduct by customers, owners, or employees, they must call police if a fight breaks out etc.
  • No owner or employee may drink alcohol while working, this includes on site DJ’s, musicians, and karaoke operators.
  • Business owners and employees are not allowed to be intoxicated at their place of employment no matter if they are working or not working.

3.  Minors, Individuals Under The Age of 21(RCW 66.44.270, RCW 66.41.310, WAC 314.11.020, WAC 314.16.150)

  • Alcohol may not be sold to an individual under the age of 21 years.
  • Individuals under the age of 21 are prohibited to possess alcohol, even if the alcohol container is closed or sealed.
  • Minors are not allowed in age-restricted areas, taverns, or lounges.

Establishments that do not abide by these laws and have histories of DUI, complaints, and police referrals are often targeted by the Washington State Liquor Control Board.  The Liquor Control Board will monitor these businesses through undercover operations to observe and watch for law violations.  They will also investigate through compliance checks where they will send minors into establishments to purchase alcohol.  If laws are broken, the Liquor Control Board may issue fines, revoke licenses, and in worst case scenarios, shut a business down.

 

Written by S.O

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High School Bus Driver Charged with DUI, Reckless Endangerment, and 36 Counts of Child Abuse

Written by David O
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High School Bus Driver Charged with DUI, Reckless Endangerment, and 36 Counts of Child Abuse

Unbelievable newsworthy story originating out of Westminster Colorado, where high school bus driver, Burton Carpenter, allegedly consumed alcohol before getting behind the wheel of the bus to drive 30 high school football players to their September game.  Needless to say, police were called and Carpenter was arrested for DUI (Driving Under the Influence).

According to a Mountain Range football coach, Carpenter was so intoxicated that he couldn’t drive the bus straight, he was straddling lanes, and had to be directed back into the school parking lot where he crashed into a parked pickup truck.

A bystander claimed, Carpenter gloated that he had been drinking vodka from a 32oz. Gatorade bottle.

When Colorado police arrived on the scene, they noted Carpenter’s eyes were bloodshot, his speech was slurred, and when he exited the bus he fell down the steps catching himself on the side of the bus.  Police reported his BAC (Blood Alcohol Content) level was .20, over twice the legal DUI limit and claimed Carpenter openly admitted to drinking Vodka before driving.

Carpenter was arrested and taken to the police station.  In addition to being charged with DUI, Burton Carpenter was also formally charged with reckless endangerment and 36 counts of child abuse.  He is due back in court sometime in December.

The Adams School District reported they run criminal background checks on all bus drivers and Carpenter’s was clean when they hired him under a year ago.  However, police discovered he had lost his prior job as a nurse due to substance abuse problems.

My guess is Burton would be a good candidate for a deferred prosecution.  In Washington State, a deferred prosecution is a special program for those suffering with alcoholism.  The deferred prosecution is a five-year program which includes court supervision, monitoring and two years of alcohol/drug treatment.  If an individual successfully completes the five-year program without any violations the charge of driving under the influence (DUI) will be dismissed.  This is a great program for some because it creates a win win.

 

Written by S.O

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