Massachusetts DUI Lawyer Paul B. Watkins, a former police officer and Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) appeared as guest speaker before the Essex County Bar Association Advocates tonight. He addressed a group of Essex County DUI Lawyers regarding effective cross-examination of quasi-expert police officer witnesses who are certified as drug recognition experts.
Massachusetts DUI prosecutors have attempted to utilize police officers as expert witnesses for their opinions as to whether or not a DUI defendant was under the influence of drugs. Mainly due to the growing number of DUI arrests nationwide, there is no greater use of police officers as expert witnesses in criminal trials than in this relatively new area of drug recognition. A new class of Massachusetts Drug Recognition Experts just graduated and more classes have been scheduled. These police officers will be on the streets, eager to apply their training by making arrests for OUI Drugs.
In cases where a driver suspected of drunk driving may exhibit signs and symptoms of intoxication, but a preliminary breath test (PBT) shows little or no alcohol, the arresting officer may call for a police officer specially trained in the area of drug recognition in order to further the investigation. This officer is later called as a witness and allowed to give his or her “expert” opinion regarding whether or not the DUI defendant was operating under the influence of drugs. In Massachusetts, the crime of DUI drugs carries the same harsh penalties as DUI alcohol. These include license suspensions, fines, fees, probation, mandatory use of the unreliable ignition interlock device for repeat offenders and, in some cases, incarceration.
At tonight’s meeting, Paul instructed the Massachusetts DUI lawyers on how to aggressively defend against DUI Drugs by cross-examining police officers who have been trained as Drug Recognition Experts. Just as it takes specialized training to arrest and effectively prosecute those suspected of DUI Drugs, it takes the same type of training to successfully defend against those charges. As a former police officer who has made a number of DUI arrests and Drug Recognition Expert,
Attorney Paul Watkins will be valuable resource for Massachusetts DUI Lawyers. In addition to representing DUI defendants in cases across the Commonwealth, Paul will make himself available to testify as a defense expert witness in DUI drug cases throughout New England. His unique education, training, background, and experience will help level the playing field so that the prosecutors are not the only ones with a Drug Recognition Expert at their disposal.
