Playing Fair? Washington District Court Judge Recused from 123 DUI Cases

A Whatcom County District Court Judge in the state of Washington has been ordered to recuse himself from 123 drinking and driving cases after a number of prosecutors raised red flags of potential bias in cases  involving DUI defenses similar to ones filed by Jonathan Rands during his career as a defense attorney, Denver Pratt reports for the Bellingham Herald.

In a spat between both parties with significant “political dimensions,” 50 affidavits of prejudice were filed against Rands in cases where motions were filed regarding specific types of DUI breath tests. Prosecutors have targeted everything from his experience as a defense attorney to the timing of his swearing in and legitimacy of the cases he has so-far overseen. A Superior Court judge determined that Rands began overseeing the DUI court too early in January, before he had judicial authority. After the ruling on Monday, Rands said he would comply and recuse himself.