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Posted on Tue, Oct 27, 2009 : 6:12 a.m.

Assistant Ann Arbor city attorney arrested on suspicion of drunken driving

By Lee Higgins

An Ann Arbor senior assistant city attorney who prosecutes drunk drivers was arrested for suspected drunk driving Sunday.

Bob West, who works in sobriety court in the 15th District Court, was stopped by a Washtenaw County sheriff's deputy at about 8 p.m. on Jackson Avenue near 3L's Drive in Scio Township.

Bob_West.jpg

Assistant City Attorney Robert West

Asked today whether he was driving drunk, West said no charges have been authorized, he hasn't seen the police report and he's entitled to the presumption of innocence. West said everything still needs to be sorted out.

"It's most unfortunate," he said. "I regret that it happened, but I think it was a private matter."

No other details about the stop were released by the Sheriff's Department. West's supervisor, City Attorney Stephen Postema, said he will be "dealing with this matter," and declined further comment.

West has been licensed to practice law in the state for nearly 30 years, according to the State Bar of Michigan.

Lee Higgins covers crime and courts for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at leehiggins@annarbor.com or 734-623-2527.

Comments

Awakened

Thu, Oct 29, 2009 : 5:39 a.m.

Bman... West was arrested outside of the City. He will be prosecuted by the Washtenaw County Prosecutor. He works for the City of Ann Arbor Attorney's Office. Different entities. His supervisor has no direct involvemnt with the criminal case and so would not have to recuse himself. He is I'm sure only referring to West's employment status. That said, I think West should be treated as anyone else would be in the same circumstance. And we should keep an eye out to make sure that he does not get a sweetheart deal. As for rehab...If you spend the night in jail for driving drunk you have by definition a drinking problem. I hope people take this as a lesson. Dont Drink or Dont Drive!

grimdaddy1

Wed, Oct 28, 2009 : 11:37 p.m.

correction every 31 minutes

grimdaddy1

Wed, Oct 28, 2009 : 11:32 p.m.

mike-Saline County Sheriff's Office in Mo give a stat of 1 person dies every 31 seconds in this country.

huh7891

Wed, Oct 28, 2009 : 7:21 p.m.

wow...the man is human imagine that.. he made a mistake.

Bman

Wed, Oct 28, 2009 : 6:37 p.m.

Where is the Freedom of information act request? I would expect this paper to file such a request. To be told this is being handled by his supervisor, is not comforting, in fact it angers me, that said supervisor has not recused himself. Jeremy has it right. West must have the book thrown at him, elsewise everything that he and the prosecuting attorney's office has stood for is bologna.

Old Salt

Wed, Oct 28, 2009 : 3:03 p.m.

I have just one question...Was there a breathalizer test and if so what was the reading?

treetowncartel

Wed, Oct 28, 2009 : 2:21 p.m.

Two points of clarity, first, mr. West is not a public official, he is a public employee, there is a big difference. Second, anyone who gets arrested for druunk driving the first time and does not have a prior record will not get time in jail. The jail is not full of first time drunk driver offenders.

Lawstress

Wed, Oct 28, 2009 : 2:01 p.m.

EVERYONE IS INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY. If guilty, I highly doubt that any city official would risk their job to unlawfully protect Mr. West. Common sense.

DC85

Wed, Oct 28, 2009 : 1:34 p.m.

I'm confused. Somebody please help me out here. The story starts out by saying that Mr. West was "arrested on suspicion of drunken driving" and then in the next sentence it says that Mr. West was "arrested for suspected drunk driving." When did law enforcement officers start charging people with "suspicion." Mr. West said "no charges have been authorized." What this actually means is that no prosecuting attorney has agreed to proceed with the case............yet but a charge of Driving Under The Influence has been filed against Mr. West by a law enforcement officer. This happened when Mr. West was arrested and (I'll bet) if you look at the arrest affidavit (charging document) you won't find the word "suspicion" with the "charge." Mr. West chose his words very carefully, as he should. Let's let the legal process take its course - Mr. West is entitled to that.

Basic Bob

Wed, Oct 28, 2009 : 8:28 a.m.

Too bad for him he got caught. He should be checking into a treatment facility by now, so his attorney can negotiate for a plea deal. I bet the city even covers the rehab in their medical benefits. He *might* get to keep his job when all is done.

MikeMartin

Tue, Oct 27, 2009 : 8:19 p.m.

AABob43- The fact is that drunken driving is and incredibly serious driving offense. People are killed every day by drunken drivers. It is not to brushed off as unfortunately "his worst day". How do we know this was "his worst day"? He just got caught this time. He is charged with prosecuting drunken drivers as some of the most serious cases that will come before our courts. If he is guilty (and he is innocent until proven so), but if he is guilty he is unfit for his job- period. Don't forget, an assistant city attorney is a public official, an employee of all of ours. Viewing the offense harshly is the right of any Ann Arbor resident.

KeepingItReal

Tue, Oct 27, 2009 : 7:58 p.m.

AABob43: I like the jist of your letter and I certainly believe in second chances. As one of the scriptures says: "Let those among you who have not sin, cast the first stone." I believe in the power of forgiveness but I think the same standards that Mr. West has applied to others, he should apply to himself. If he is unwilling to do this, then he does not deserve to be in a position where he is passing judgment on others. It is easy for many of us to look at one person and believe that the law should be applied in its strictest sense and then to look at another person and say that we should bend the law for whatever reasons. I believe that if the offense is a first offense and not a grevious one, that there is a certain level of leniency that should be applied. However, it should apply in all situations, not selective ones.

AAbob43

Tue, Oct 27, 2009 : 7:46 p.m.

Bob West is a good man and a good public servant. He has shown reason, fairness and discretion on many occasions. In a college town, there are lots of opportunities for reasonableness and second chances to defendants. Mr. West has shown such reason. I expect that Mr. West expects no less than he has afforded to others: the presumption of innocence, due process, and the same reasonableness and diversionary programs that would be available to any other person, if those apply. Any of the commenters would want no less for themselves, or for a friend or relative. "Piling on" is not flattering. People make mistakes and errors of judgment. Maybe Mr. West did that; maybe not. If he did, his final judgment needn't be based on his worst day. One error shouldn't erase a long history of service. Nor should it bring that service to an end. Should Mr. West have erred here, it may make him a better City Attorney in the end.

MikeMartin

Tue, Oct 27, 2009 : 5:09 p.m.

If guilty- he should receive the same punishment as any other offender, this is true, nether more or less harsh. If guilty- he should also lose his job. How could he legitimately prosecute for driving infractions if he is found guilty of one of the most serious and dangerous driving offenses?

dms

Tue, Oct 27, 2009 : 2:11 p.m.

Mr. West is a public official. Being a public official means that in many areas of his life he waives the right to his behavior being a "private matter." This is especially true when his private behavior is carried out in public or when his private behavior is illegal and possibly in direct conflict with his role as a public official. I don't know if he was driving under the influence. This is yet to be determined through our legal system. He IS innocent until proven guilty. What I take issue with is his expectation of privacy in this matter and the tone of his comment.

uawisok

Tue, Oct 27, 2009 : 2:07 p.m.

Oh he's family...the cops and atty's cover for each other all the time...the law is just for the little folks!!

KeepingItReal

Tue, Oct 27, 2009 : 2:05 p.m.

No local judge should be allowed to hear this case especially one that Mr. West has practiced before. I would be willing to bet that Mr. West will get away with a slight spanking on the wrist with a sly wink. Jeremy, it doesn't matter to me that you are African American. The issue to me is the equitable application of the law and if you don't think that's important to deal with in the here and now, please visit Washtenaw County Jail and you will see so many young men who have faced the same problem that Mr. West is now confronted with. Some don't have a license as a result of their offense and have to bum a ride to work or elsewhere, if they have a job...some don't have adequate legal representation because of a lack of funds and wound up doing time for their offense, which we as a community foot the bill for their incarceration. We should all be concern about the equitable application of the law regardless of the offenders' status in our community. Man, this is an exciting topic!

ownrdgd

Tue, Oct 27, 2009 : 1:11 p.m.

Throw the book at him,no plea deals! Never happen First offense,clean record,big shot lawyer,He'll get a nothing sentence.If he gets Melinda Morris for the judge. I know he'll get probation

jeremy

Tue, Oct 27, 2009 : 12:59 p.m.

zulu, I am african american. I just think we have to get over the issue of race if we are to evolve as a people. I understand the reality of what is going on in our society but I dont allow myself to get on the level of those that have been oppressors. I am, we are, above that. Remember there is someone greater than we who is the final judge and Im trying to keep my slate as clean as possible when i get there. Fight the fight, but kill them with kindness.

KeepingItReal

Tue, Oct 27, 2009 : 12:45 p.m.

Jeremy, I think its very inappropriate for you to tell me what I should or should not comment on. What are you? The thought police? If you do not like my commentary, please do not read them. Otherwise, do not put yourself into the position of displaying your racist, reactionary behavior.

AlfaElan

Tue, Oct 27, 2009 : 12:44 p.m.

Having known Bob West as a friend of a friend for years, I haven't known him to drink excessively at any of the parties I have been to. Having known a number of lawyers outside of the job, what happens in the courtroom is work, and his responsibility is to the city and the public so I am sure he has been hard on some and made deals with others. That's the job, and I have been told by more than one lawyer that in the courtroom personal feeling have to be set aside. On the other hand if he was over the limit he should get the same treatment as any other first time offended. I believe that is still license suspension or restriction and some type of counseling.

grimdaddy1

Tue, Oct 27, 2009 : 12:36 p.m.

"The variables that could push you over the legal limit are so varied" not realy, your weight does effect it but not as much as your metabolism and eating has very little effect on your BAC. so realy once you know how many drinks (most people 2 or 3 in 1 hour) then you know when your driving drunk.

Live with Art

Tue, Oct 27, 2009 : 12:28 p.m.

People... really be honest with yourselves. Almost every legal adult has gotten in a car after having consumed a drink. The variables that could push you over the legal limit are so varied, from food consumed to weight, that at one time or another we probably all could have been ticketed if stopped. Were we wrong, yes, did we stop, you answer for yourselves. He was wrong and should suffer the consequences, but throwing stones does not excuse any of our own past behavior or make you right.

Live with Art

Tue, Oct 27, 2009 : 12:22 p.m.

People really be honest with yourselves. Almost every legal adult has gotten in a car after having consumed a drink. The variables that could push you over the legal limit are so varied, from food consumed to weight, that at one time or another we probably all could have been ticketed if stopped. Were we wrong, yes, did we stop, you answer for yourselves. He was wrong and should suffer the consequences, but throwing stones does not excuse any of our own past behavior or make you right.

jeremy

Tue, Oct 27, 2009 : 12:15 p.m.

zulu, OJ + money= not guilty of murder. It works both ways. Please stop with the racist comments on here.

Linda

Tue, Oct 27, 2009 : 11:55 a.m.

Don't know the man but from reading all the posts he does not seem like a bad person, he just has a bad job. Also I do not believe its a racial thing. If he was driving while drunk he must face the costs no matter what they are.

michigan48103

Tue, Oct 27, 2009 : 11:39 a.m.

He looked like he had been drinking in the Picture, was that the picture taken when he was arrested. No one will find out what happens to him I am sure he will find a way to keep the rest of the story private. Maybe he will be different the way others are treated by him now that he has been on the other side.

EDM450

Tue, Oct 27, 2009 : 11:26 a.m.

I would hope he is given all the consideration he gave me when I was prosecuted by him in 2007. He was very kind towards me, and I will never forget that.

a2grateful

Tue, Oct 27, 2009 : 11:21 a.m.

I'm glad none of the commentators in this blog are judges. There is absolutely nothing to rejoice in here... and venom helps nothing.

crward

Tue, Oct 27, 2009 : 11:05 a.m.

When will journalists refer to the act of being drunk when driving to "drunken driving" rather than "drunk driving"? Drunk driving actually refers to driving a drunk around while "drunken" actually refers to the state of being inebriated while driving.

treetowncartel

Tue, Oct 27, 2009 : 9:35 a.m.

A conviction of him alone would not amount to expungement of anyone else he prosecuted. That is way off base.

walker101

Tue, Oct 27, 2009 : 9:16 a.m.

Spoken like a true Attorney, now he'll walk in another mans shoes.

wuttha

Tue, Oct 27, 2009 : 8:53 a.m.

If this is true...the definition of irony...

KeepingItReal

Tue, Oct 27, 2009 : 8:20 a.m.

Is this the same Robert West that allowed Tate Forcier to go free on driving with a suspended license after he was stopped for a moving violation in Ann Arbor and it was discovered that his license had been suspended in California for not paying two moving violations. If so, apparently Mr. West does not believe in the equitable application of the law for everyone. I know of any number of cases in Ann Arbor where individuals have been stopped for DUI and the penalty has been quite severe. It will be interesting to see how things turn out for Mr. West. After all, Janis Bobrin, a public official in Washtenaw County not only was stopped for drunken driving several times, she wrecked public property in the process and got away with it scott free, plus the voters reelected her to another term as Drain Commissioner. Somehow, when an offender is poor or black, those in authority have no hesitation about applying the law. When the offender is someone in authority or white, there is all sorts of gray areas in the law that allows these people to escape with a minimum of punishment and no lingering aftermath. It will be interesting to see how this case turns out. As far as I am concerned, Mr. West is no longer fit to sit in judgement of others with a similar offense.

Wickster

Tue, Oct 27, 2009 : 8:19 a.m.

A classic example of "Do as I say-not as I do"

Craig Lounsbury

Tue, Oct 27, 2009 : 7:34 a.m.

evidently he lacks L Brooks Patterson's clout.

happy

Tue, Oct 27, 2009 : 7:20 a.m.

Everyone should be measuring the City Attorney's office response. West should be held accountable and it's sickening that he is so arrogant about this incident. Looking forward to more detailed information regarding breathalizer and blood alchohol testing. How he wiggles out of this will prove a good lesson for the rest of the drinkers in town! If convicted, he should be FIRED!

cinnabar7071

Tue, Oct 27, 2009 : 7:07 a.m.

What no professional courtesty? He must have pissed off the officers in past.

Chris 8 - YPSI PRIDE

Tue, Oct 27, 2009 : 5:02 a.m.

Without question, this man needs to immediately step down from and further prosecution of anyone until this matter gets resolved. If he is found guilty everyone who he prosecuted should have their case reviewed for possible expungement. Also there would be no excuse for him to do less then the maximum amount of time allowable by law in jail if he is found guilty. This is disgusting.

frozenhotchocolate

Mon, Oct 26, 2009 : 9:23 p.m.

Went to school with his daughter, got me out of an MIP once, he is awsome. Don't worry, he will face charges as anyother citizen, just to a lesser extent.

Urban Sombrero

Mon, Oct 26, 2009 : 9:04 p.m.

@youwhine--if you spend your life upholding the law and holding others to that standard, you had damned well better not only uphold that standard yourself, but exceed it. Mr. West failed at both. And, should be held accountable.

YouWhine

Mon, Oct 26, 2009 : 8:51 p.m.

Sounds like some of you ought to spend a few hours watching Mr. West at work. Despite his hard-nosed claims in the article about not making deals, that is ALL this guy does for a living. Everybody that goes before him gets SOME kind of a deal.

djm12652

Mon, Oct 26, 2009 : 8:36 p.m.

vd/pd...your statement "Even if the charge is true, most who read this have been guilty of the same" may very well be true, however Mr. West, as a sworn officer of the Court has taken an oath to uphold the law so he, along with other attorneys, Judges, et al are held to a higher standard. How can we as law abiding citizens have faith in the process when those we expect to enforce the laws are allegedly violating them? When we allow that standard to be lowered, so goes our standards of our judicial process.

Craig Lounsbury

Mon, Oct 26, 2009 : 8:34 p.m.

"He should be treated as everyone else." I disagree. People in positions of authority like that should be held to a higher standard than "everyone else". It comes with the territory.

Urban Sombrero

Mon, Oct 26, 2009 : 8:25 p.m.

Private matter? You have got to be kidding me. This man is not above the law. Who the heck does he think he is? I agree with jeremy----throw the book at him!

I'm Ron Burgandy

Mon, Oct 26, 2009 : 8:13 p.m.

For a guy that doesn't like to cut deals, I sure hope he follows his own rule and doesn't get a deal himself if he's guilty.

anon505

Mon, Oct 26, 2009 : 7:54 p.m.

In 2008, an estimated 11,773 people died in drunk driving crashes involving a driver with an illegal BAC (.08 or greater). These deaths constitute 31.6 percent of the 37,261 total traffic fatalities in 2008. (Source: NHTSA, 2009)(from madd.org) This is not a private matter. It is a matter of life and death.

djm12652

Mon, Oct 26, 2009 : 7:37 p.m.

Hmmm....wonder if he was given a breathalyzer? And when he gets stopped..."it's a private matter"? I wonder how many of the people he prosecuted "regretted it happened"? What a loser...willing to break the very laws he pretends to uphold!

The Picker

Mon, Oct 26, 2009 : 6:38 p.m.

Lee, we need a little more info, was this a Saturday post College football tailgate or a Sunday post NFL infraction (alleged)

vd/pd

Mon, Oct 26, 2009 : 6:18 p.m.

We are innocent until proven guilty. Let the facts prevail. Even if the charge is true, most who read this have been guilty of the same. Do any of you know how much you need to drink to be charged with DWUI? You would be surprised how little you need to drink. He should be treated as everyone else. Most first offenders are offered a plea of impaired. If this is not his first charge, well then so bad so sad.

clark

Mon, Oct 26, 2009 : 6:17 p.m.

Ah, yes, the same merciless traffic attorney who's catchphrase is "if you did it, you did it." See: http://blog.mlive.com/annarbornews/2008/03/excuses_excuses_hes_heard_them.html Say it with me, altogether now: K-A-R-M-A!

cookie

Mon, Oct 26, 2009 : 6:01 p.m.

I have to agree with Jeremy. His livelihood is doing the same to others who are breaking the law knowing they are, just a matter of time before they get caught. He is not above the law. You drink and drive you lose. He's a prosecuting attorney for pete's sake and goes for the juggler on those who get caught just like he did. No leniency for him!!!

jeremy

Mon, Oct 26, 2009 : 5:41 p.m.

throw the book at him. no plea deals or reduced charges....