Assistant Ann Arbor city attorney charged with drunken driving
An Ann Arbor senior assistant city attorney who prosecuted drunken drivers for years has been charged with first-offense operating while under the influence.
Robert William West, 57, is scheduled to be arraigned Dec. 21, Washtenaw County court records show. He could not be reached for comment today.
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."
Comments
Sandy Castle
Thu, Dec 10, 2009 : 9:16 p.m.
@Zulu. Did you actually read my postings, or do you always jump to your own conclusions and add drama to situations? I posted that Bob West is a caring, thoughtful person who does a great job for the City Attorney's office, and I know this from personal experience. I did NOT say that it's okay to drive drunk. I did NOT speculate on his situation at all. I did NOT say that Mr. West should be treated differently from other people. I DID say that he should receive the same respect that he gave out while he goes through the system. You, who do not know Mr. West, come up with some crazy conspiracy theories and do this while posting annonymously. Gain some credibility and post under your real name. Believe me, you'll be so much prouder of yourself for doing so. It's a great feeling to stand up for what you believe to be right using your own name.
KeepingItReal
Thu, Dec 10, 2009 : 8 a.m.
Sandy Castle/Joan Lowenstein Mary Ziegeler: Do you realize that Mr. West was stopped because obviously someone observed the fact that his driving was erratic which means that there is the possibility that he could have either hurt himself or someone else? How many times have we read the paper about someone who wiped out a whole family driving while drunk and we recoiled in disgust and declared that something needed to be done about people who drink and drive. If it were you or a family member a victim of such, would you be so understanding? Would the three of you feel so sympathy if this was a poor or a Black person? Do you realize how many people may have lost their driving privileges, jailed and had to pay severe fines as a result of their decision to drink and drive when they appeared before Mr. West. While renewing my license last summer, I observed a number of people who came before a license referee because of DUI violation(s) making appeals to get their license restored so they could drive themselves to work. I do not wish Mr. West any ill feelings at all just that the law is applied in the same manner as it would to a poor sole who is not "one of you" Ms. Lowenstein, as a public official, I am totally dissappointed in your public response to this matter.
racerx
Thu, Dec 10, 2009 : 2:18 a.m.
My apologies to Ms. Lowenstein, the council member who bounced a check was Jane Lumm, not Ms Lowenstein. My apologies to her.
tdw
Wed, Dec 9, 2009 : 7:34 p.m.
djim 12652 did he take a oath? he's not a judge.Seriously I don't know.If he is convicted ( although first time it should be droped to DWI like everyone else )he should be re-assigned.if he violated some type of "terms of employment" then he should get the apporiate punishment
Mary Ziegeler
Wed, Dec 9, 2009 : 5:51 p.m.
I would like to add my voice in support of Bob West. He is a great asset to the city attorney's office. I completely agree with Sandy Castle's and Joan Lowenstein's comments - Sandy Castle is exactly right that he deserves the same fairness and consideration he's shown to others.
djm12652
Wed, Dec 9, 2009 : 4:01 p.m.
All of the comments on what a nice guy he is, I find quite admirable. However, he took an oath as an officer of the Court to uphold the law...he should not be held to the same standards of law as the rest of us. If he is found guilty of DUI, he should not be allowed to prosecute other offenders.
drbookworm
Wed, Dec 9, 2009 : 11:18 a.m.
People do make mistakes. It's just bloody lucky for drivers who happened to be on the road at the same time Mr. West was driving while intoxicated, first offense, notwithstanding.
Melonhead58
Wed, Dec 9, 2009 : 9:30 a.m.
I do not agree that Mr. West should leave the City for this misdemeanor. I do agree that there should be a thorough investigation on this, as I would hope there is with every case...however, I don't think he should loose his job over this manner, as said, it is his first charge, and as many of you have commented...we are all presumed innocent until proven guilty. Put yourself in this position, wouldn't you want a fair trial and be allowed your civil rights? So, please be fair and just, and please do not make any judgments until he has his day in court. He has personally assisted me on a traffic violation in court, and was very fair and just, along with reminding me that the violation that was charged was indeed a bad call on my part. My husband and I know Bob personally, so please be very careful to not bad mouth him, as we know him as a very conscientious and law abiding citizen, let him have his day in court and the ability to keep his position. Thanks for allowing me to voice my opinion. Melonhead58
DagnyJ
Wed, Dec 9, 2009 : 8:52 a.m.
The real goal is to make Mr. West accountable for his actions, and to help him do whatever he needs to do so he does not drive while impaired again. That's what he seeks in defendants who he faces in court. And that's why it's called sobriety court--because it is about supporting and promoting sobriety, with an emphasis on sobriety while driving. He's not a bad guy, just someone who made a mistake and will now be accountable for it.
billy
Wed, Dec 9, 2009 : 8:45 a.m.
Oh let the the guy go! So he drove drunk. He works for the prosecuting attorney so he should get a free pass. After all, we don't want this guy to lose his job. It might ruin his life. He might have to work at taco bell or something if he gets fired!
Bob W
Wed, Dec 9, 2009 : 7:49 a.m.
He does deserve the same rights as the rest of us. Let's wait for the trial and outcome. However, if convicted I do believe resignation is the order of the day given his position. As for the fact that this is just a misdomeaner, that's part of the problem. We are WAY too easy on drinking drivers.
KeepingItReal
Wed, Dec 9, 2009 : 6:28 a.m.
Joan Lowenstein/Sandy Castle: It's people like you that have two views of the justice system that resort to name calling when one of your kind get caught up in the legal system and others disagree with your thoughts about how the law should be applied. Just because Mr. West, in your opinions have been a model employee/citizens (if you read the last post, apparently he has placed someone else life in danger in the recent past through his behavior) does not mean he should get a free pass before the law. Tell that to any number of people that has appeared before him and they will tell you that they did not have important people to advocate for them and they had to suffer the consequence of the law. It seems that when poor people or someone black commits an offense, our system of justice has no problem in applying the letter of law. However, when someone like Mr. West commits an offense against the community, there is all kinds of consideration given to them. Joan Lowenstein, I knew there was a reason I did not vote for you and it has now become quite apparent. Also Sandy Castle/ Joan Lowenstein, it is my understanding that AnnArbor.com allows posters to use aliases as long as they use the same alias. If either of you have a problem with this policy, take it up with AnnArbor.com com an dnot those of us that choose to do so.
Sweap06
Wed, Dec 9, 2009 : 5:46 a.m.
This shouldn't be his first offense, he put me in an accident 4 years ago when he pulled out in front of me from a side street with his truck. He had to take a breathalyzer then and blew just under the limit. We both ended up with wrecked cars, and unfortunately I ended up with a broken foot. He should have learned from that. I hope his bad luck has finally caught up to him...
Basic Bob
Wed, Dec 9, 2009 : 5:25 a.m.
Sobriety court? Shouldn't they call it drug and alcohol court? The City Attorney's office is handling this correctly by moving Mr. West to civil court. Mr. West should be allowed to stay even if he is convicted. He is charged with a misdemeanor, not a felony.
racerx
Wed, Dec 9, 2009 : 1:19 a.m.
As a former city employee, I also know Bob West. He is all that Sandy Castle has said of him. However, if convicted the city should consider his removal. I worked with an employee who came to work on several occassions under the influence for years without any retribution. A couple of police offficers were also fired when they were convicted of DUI. Yes, we all have moments of stupidity in life, however, "some" people have been fired from the city for lessor reasons. To give a pass for his one moment would be a farce, again, IF convicted.
B138
Wed, Dec 9, 2009 : 12:43 a.m.
HA HA! Poor little Guy! Poor fella! Right now there is collective cheer from all the people Mr. West threw the book at for "one momentary laps of reason". Time to take a big bite of the preverbial S-sandwich and find out what its like to be down here with the rest of us pal!
a2baggagehandler
Tue, Dec 8, 2009 : 10:55 p.m.
You drink You drive You lose
Sandy Castle
Tue, Dec 8, 2009 : 10:04 p.m.
Sunshine_Valentine - you are right, there are many here who would disagree with me, and most I probably saw during my time working for the 15th District Court, where I was able to witness firsthand how competent Mr. West was at his job. But I wouldn't know them by their names, would I, since most of the people who post here do so while hiding behind an annonymous byline. It's always easy to post nasty, and often unfactual statements when no one can know who you are. The downside is it cuts into your credibility. Washtenaw County, and Ann Arbor City, have a very fair and competent criminal justice system and it will do it's job, as it has done for years. It will do the same job for Mr. West that it has done for every other person passing through it. We are very lucky in Washtenaw County to have so many good clerks, judges, lawyers and others in our criminal justice system who work diligently to apply justice to our little piece of the world.
Joan Lowenstein
Tue, Dec 8, 2009 : 9:51 p.m.
Our system isn't about retribution. The court system will decide the outcome of the charge. It is awfully cruel to want a man to lose his job after a long career because of one mistake and awfully cowardly to hide behind pseudonyms to criticize someone you don't know. Bob West has not only an excellent reputation in his legal work but also many years of public service.
stan
Tue, Dec 8, 2009 : 9:13 p.m.
I'd like to know what West's BAC was before throwing any stones. This is something we will hopefully find out when the report is obtained. If he was right at the legal limit, I would definitely be a little more lenient. Other than that, I agree with I_love_ann_arbor: he should be treated the way he treated people who were charged with the crime that he is now charged with.
I_love_ann_arbor
Tue, Dec 8, 2009 : 6:14 p.m.
Mr. West should be treated in the same manner that he treated those he has prosecuted. If he is such a strong voice against alcohol consumption and driving, he knows what he should do: RESIGN! You can't seriously expect to prosecute people still. Please resign before this become a media circus and a waste of OUR taxpaying dollars.
jcj
Tue, Dec 8, 2009 : 6:01 p.m.
I do not know Mr West but I would hope he gets the same treatment any other 1st time offender gets. Nothing more nothing less.I do not drink at all so I am generally not very sympathetic towards drunk driving. But I suspect that there will be more than one poster here that has driven after drinking. My point is that he should not be treated better or worse than any other 1st time offender.
sunshine_valentine
Tue, Dec 8, 2009 : 4:45 p.m.
Sandy Castle - There are many who would disagree with you. Ann Arbor has a heavy-handed and unfair system of ticketing, towing, and criminal charges.
djm12652
Tue, Dec 8, 2009 : 4:12 p.m.
As a less than liberal in Ann Arbor, I guess I am a foreigner...but if it drives like a drunk duck, it's a drunk duck.
Cash
Tue, Dec 8, 2009 : 4:08 p.m.
A lot of posters here from Iran? Guilty until proven innocent eh? And even then, people aren't convinced. Here in the US we presume innocence. But it's nice to see we get posters from foreign countries too. Welcome.
Umich2008
Tue, Dec 8, 2009 : 4:04 p.m.
First offense can also mean he has pled to lesser offenses. Who knows. But it does take several weeks for all drunk driving offenses to come through the prosecutors office. Nothing extraordinary there. If justice doesn't work for those who work within it, it works for no one. Presumption of innocence? You expect that from the court officers, but you won't give it? Ann Arbor and its typical hypocrissy lives.
tdw
Tue, Dec 8, 2009 : 3:57 p.m.
First offense means first time charged nothing elese
happy
Tue, Dec 8, 2009 : 3:54 p.m.
Thanks to annarbor.com for bird-dogging the FOIA. Now that he's been charged with a DUI, shoudn't he RESIGN from his position?
djm12652
Tue, Dec 8, 2009 : 3:42 p.m.
As a sworn Officer of the Court, he is to be held to a higher standard than civilians. I'm sure Mr. West is fully aware of his obligation to uphold the law.
Sandy Castle
Tue, Dec 8, 2009 : 3:36 p.m.
Bob West has been an asset to the Ann Arbor City Attorney's office for many years. He has done a fabulous job of balancing the prosecution of many different types of cases. He is a caring, thoughtful man, who took the time to listen to the people that he was prosecuting and he treated them fairly and with respect. People make mistakes and he deserves be treated with the same respect and consideration that he showed as a prosecutor while he works his way through through the system. I hope that the people who read this article will remember that when writing their responses.