Assistant Ann Arbor city attorney charged with drunken driving

Bob West

The case has been assigned to 14A District Judge Richard Conlin, said Steve Hiller, deputy chief assistant prosecutor for the Washtenaw County Prosecutor's Office.

West faces up to 93 days in jail if convicted of the misdemeanor charge. He's scheduled to appear at 8:30 a.m., most likely at 14A-3 District Court in Chelsea.

City Attorney Stephen Postema said he is still investigating the matter. But West is no longer prosecuting cases in sobriety court in the 15th District Court, Postema said. Senior Assistant City Attorney Kristen Larcom is handling that docket, he said.

West was arrested Oct. 25 after being stopped by a county sheriff's deputy at 8 p.m. on Jackson Avenue near 3L's Drive in Scio Township. Deputies have not released details of the stop.

The sheriff's department rejected a Freedom of Information Act request by AnnArbor.com seeking the incident report and other information, citing an ongoing investigation. AnnArbor.com filed another FOI request today after learning West has been charged. The charge was authorized by prosecutors Dec. 1, court records show.

West continues to prosecute civil infractions in the 15th District Court and handles negligence and other lawsuits brought against the city, as well as any legal matters for the police and fire departments, Postema said.

West has been licensed to practice law in the state for nearly 30 years, according to the State Bar of Michigan. He has been working for the city for more than 10 years, Postema said.

"He's done an outstanding job for the city," Postema said. "Bob is an excellent attorney, well-regarded by all of the judges in the county."