Ann Arbor senior assistant attorney sentenced to probation in drunken driving case
An Ann Arbor senior assistant attorney convicted of drunken driving was sentenced to 12 months of probation and a suspended 90-day jail sentence.
If Robert West, 57, successfully completes his probation, he will not serve any time in jail, court records show. His sentence is consistent with a first-time offender, officials said.
West, 57, who spent years prosecuting drunk drivers, pleaded guilty last month to operating while visibly impaired.
Robert West
The terms of his probation include no use of alcohol or drugs, random testing, and court fines and costs.
West was scheduled to be sentenced today, but court records show the sentencing was moved up to Jan. 21.
West was suspended from the city attorney's office for eight days as a result of the incident and is no longer prosecuting drunken drivers in sobriety court in the 15th District Court. He continues to handle civil infractions and negligence and other lawsuits brought against the city, as well as legal matters for the city police and fire departments.
West was arrested by a Washtenaw County sheriff's deputy after an Oct. 25 traffic stop in Scio Township.
The plea has resulted in an investigation by the Attorney Grievance Commission, which will determine any action against West’s law license, officials said. It also triggered a 90-day suspension of West’s driving privilege.
Comments
Lokalisierung
Tue, Feb 2, 2010 : 5:27 p.m.
"think most first timers end up picking up trash on the highway, or shoveling snow for several months of weekends too." Absoulutly not. Were did you hear that?
djm12652
Sat, Jan 30, 2010 : 10:47 a.m.
@astrojetson...yeah if they are a sworn officer of the court!
AstroJetson
Sat, Jan 30, 2010 : 10:20 a.m.
@clownfish --- So now we should base a person's punishment on what they do for a living?
clownfish
Sat, Jan 30, 2010 : 9:44 a.m.
The thing is...he is not just "any first time offender." His job entails (or did) dealing with the results of drunk driving. He should KNOW BETTER than your average Joe Six Pack the dangers and foolishness of drunk driving. He should have served 30 days or paid a large fine.
cinnabar7071
Fri, Jan 29, 2010 : 10:08 p.m.
"Sounds about like the same punishment that it would be for any first time offender.." I think most first timers end up picking up trash on the highway, or shoveling snow for several months of weekends too. Either way he paid a big price. I know second hand it aint no picnic.
Lokalisierung
Fri, Jan 29, 2010 : 2:46 p.m.
Well finally this is over! He got what he deserved, no more no less. He drove drunk, got caught, he'll pay them man....all the people acting like this was the caper of a lifetime are really out of touch with how much this happens in this town. The only one that that is shady in this entire thing is the cop because he does in fact sound like he would have cut him a break. Having said that, I'm not schooled in OUIL recordings so possibly this is the kind of thing police often do to people when they get caught to keep them calm. If I remember correctly he blew a.16...the officer knew very well that he wasn't going to reduce.09 BAL by thr time he got to the station. heck, not even if he drove him to a station in Detroit.
Tom Joad
Fri, Jan 29, 2010 : 1:21 p.m.
If you listened to the audio from the arrest the officer was bending over backwards looking for a way to let him skate. If it had not been for the video/audio recording he may have let the guy leave his truck there and call his wife to pick him up. The deputy commented that everything is recorded and he even mentions a similar incident where another deputy was fired for cutting someone some slack...The deputy made himself appear sympathetic to the drunk's infraction but was unwilling to lose his job over it...that should not even have been a consideration. Arresting a drunk driver was and is the only option, and it shouldn't have been up for consideration. Towards the end of the audio you could hear the deputy chuckle and joke with the attorney "By the time we get to the station you might not even be over the BAC limit" that's troubling...
YpsilantiResident
Fri, Jan 29, 2010 : 1:05 p.m.
Sounds about like the same punishment that it would be for any first time offender.. Good job not cutting him any slack because of his profession. He should have been in trouble for trying to plead with the officer to let him go because he was an attorney. Officer should be commended.. Good work protecting and serving.