Judge OKs Release of Attorney's DUI Arrest Records
Motion denied in a Seattle attorney's attempt to block the release of her DUI arrest report. 52 year-old Anne Bremner is a Seattle-based attorney who often appears on television shows giving legal commentary on high-profile cases. Bremner claims that she was the victim of a hit and run accident, and experiencing head trauma that caused her to exhibit alcohol-related symptoms the night she was arrested. Police on the scene say the Bremner did not mention the accident, or any need for medical attention.
The Seattle Times reports that Bremner was pulled over for a flat tire when police suspected that she was over the legal alcohol limit. Bremner was arrested and held in jail for five hours before she was released. There have been no formal charges against Bremner. Bremner did not want the circumstances of her arrest released to the public over fears that the DUI arrest records would have a negative effect on her reputation and credibility as a legal expert.
Here is where Bremner acted to discredit her valid argument for blocking the release of the arrest records: she already commented to local media outlets regarding her arrest, and sent emails detailing the night to friends and associates. Granted, her account of the night is probably very different than that of the police report, she nevertheless feels comfortable talking about the night -- a factor the judge took into consideration.
Whether the publication of the DUI records would affect her reputation is conjecture at this point. Professional reputation is one of the top ways to build and keep clientele, and a major concern when a report charges a lawyer with questionable after-work behavior, such as drinking and driving. As an attorney, a DUI can also have an effect on an individual's standing with the state bar. Not surprisingly, Anne Bremner has already appealed the decision to release the DUI arrest records.
Related Resources:
- Popular Seattle lawyer Anne Bremner Accused of DUI (The News Tribune)
- Woody Allen vs. American Apparel: Lawsuit Limits When Reputation is On the Line (FindLaw's Injured)
- What Happens When You're Charged with a Crime (FindLaw)