DUI Wins

Nov 30, 2022	Case: 22-MM-017205	Judge Jacobus
Facts:	Police were called out to a bar because the defendant was causing a disturbance. When police arrived, the defendant was attempting to drive away. Officers noticed an odor of alcohol, a drowsy/fatigued look, he stumbled, and appeared clumsy. His speech was slow and he was clumsy with his documents. The defendant refused to do roadside tests and was arrested for DUI. He later refused a breath test. He was also charged with resisting arrest for failing to abide by officer commands. He was tasered due to failing to comply.
Defense:	The police reports exaggerated the defendant's level of impairment versus the videotape. The State Dropped the DUI and also Dismissed the resisting an officer charge.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Nov 29, 2022	Case: 22-CT-010239	Judge Farr
Facts:	The defendant was stopped after an officer saw him enter a roadway without stopping, make an illegal U-turn at a red light, and drive at a high rate of speed. The officer noticed an odor of alcohol along with an odor of burnt marijuana, slow/slurred speech, and lethargic movements. After refusing to perform roadside tests, he was arrested for DUI. He later refused a breath test.
Defense:	After several discussions with the prosecutor about the case, they Dropped the DUI.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Nov 18, 2022	Case: 22-CT-010001	Judge Oster
Facts:	The defendant was stopped for driving without a driver's side headlight. The officer noticed an odor of alcohol, watery eyes, and fumbling fingers. She then performed various field sobriety tests and was arrested for DUI. She later blew a .135 and .133 in the breath machine.
Defense:	After several discussions with the State regarding the evidence, the State Dropped the DUI.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Nov 18, 2022	Case: 22-CT-008192	Judge Oster
Facts:	The defendant was stopped for running a stop sign. The officer noticed an odor of alcohol, bloodshot/glassy eyes, and slurred speech. The defendant also admitted to having consumed alcohol. After performing roadside tests, he was arrested for DUI. He later refused the breath test.
Defense:	There was no probable cause to arrest the defendant based on the video tape. The State agreed and Dropped the DUI. He not only received No Conviction on his record, but also received no penalties other than court costs.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Nov 17, 2022	Case: 22-CT-012518	Judge Booras
Facts:	The defendant found by police passed out behind the wheel of his car. Officers observed an odor of alcohol, slurred speech, and he appeared unsteady on his feet. The defendant refused to do any roadside tests and was arrested for DUI. He later refused the breath test.
Defense:	There was a lack of probable cause to arrest the defendant based on a lack of evidence. The State agreed and Dropped the DUI.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Nov 15, 2022	Case: 22-CF-008467	Judge Twine-Thomas
Facts:	The defendant was stopped for making improper turns and weaving. The officer noticed an odor of marijuana, red/glassy eyes, and constricted pupils. The defendant stated he had smoked a joint a little while ago. The defendant only performed the HGN (eye test) and was arrested for DUI. He later refused a urine test. After his arrest, the police found cocaine and he was also charged with felony possession.
Defense:	Prior to trial, after several negotiations with the State, the State Dropped the DUI and the defendant received No felony conviction for the possession charge.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Nov 14, 2022	Case: 22-CT-005858	Judge Cohen for Silver
Facts:	The defendant was stopped for speeding. The defendant took over a minute to stop and passed over several areas where he could have stopped, even with lights and sirens behind him. Officers noticed an odor of alcohol, slurred speech, and glassy eyes. He appeared disoriented and had a flushed face. When asked how much he drank, he responded, "not much." The defendant performed the HGN (eye test) and began to do the walk and turn. He was very unsteady, refused to continue, and was arrested for DUI. He later refused the breath test. This was the defendant's Second DUI.
Defense:	When the defendant was stopped, he was immediately placed in handcuffs and ordered out of the car at gunpoint. The firm put forth to the State that the initial handcuffing was an unlawful seizure. Since all of the DUI observations were made after the illegal seizure, (i.e.the handcuffing), they were obtained unlawfully.
Result:	The State Dropped the defendant's Second DUI.

Nov 8, 2022	Case: 22-CT-011546	Judge Damico
Facts:	Officers were called to a gas station about a possible impaired driver (i.e. the defendant). The defendant was seen exiting the gas station and an officer then observed him strike a curb. The defendant was very slow to stop even in lieu of police lights and sirens. The officer noticed the defendant to have an odor of alcohol, red/glassy eyes, and a blank stare. He stumbled getting out of the car, swayed while he stood, and had slurred speech. The defendant performed very poorly on roadside tests and was arrested for DUI. He later blew a .185 and .178 in the breath machine.
Defense:	The lawfulness of the stop was called into question. The unknown caller gave no specifics facts other than a possible impaired driver. Hitting a curb one time is not probable cause to conduct a traffic stop. Anyone who takes their eyes off the road for a second can bump a curb just like the defendant did.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Nov 7, 2022	Case: 22-CT-012800	Judge Conrad
Facts:	The defendant was stopped for speeding. The officer noticed an odor of alcohol, unsteadiness on her feet, and bloodshot/watery eyes. She then performed the HGN (eye test), walk and turn, and one leg stand roadside tests. She was subsequently arrested for DUI and later refused the breath test.
Defense:	Parks & Braxton pointed out to the State that none of the defendant's "normal faculties" were impaired as required by the Florida DUI statute 316.193. The firm had the State watch the video tape and they agreed.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Nov 7, 2022	Case: 22-CT-026689	Judge Atkin
Facts:	The defendant was stopped after the officer observed her driving onto the median and off the right-hand side of the road into the grass three separate times. Officers observed an odor of alcohol, glassy eyes, and slurred speech. The defendant started to do the field sobriety tests but refused to continue during the walk and turn. She was arrested for DUI and later refused a breath test.
Defense:	Under Florida law, a defendant cannot be requested to submit to a breath test until after being arrested for DUI. If an officer requests a breath test prior to the arrest, the refusal is excluded from evidence. Here, the officer asked the defendant for a breath test prior to her arrest for DUI. The State Dropped the DUI knowing they would not have the refusal to put into evidence.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Nov 3, 2022	Case: AEBN2WE	Judge Lawhorne
Facts:	The defendant was stopped for driving with no lights after dark. The officer noticed an odor of alcohol, slurred speech, and a flushed face. Her eyes were also bloodshot and watery. According to the officer, she failed the field sobriety tests and was arrested for DUI. This was the defendant's Second DUI.
Defense:	After viewing the video tapes, the firm put forth to the State during negotiations that there was a lack of probable cause to arrest the defendant. We based our arguments on her performance on the roadside tests as well as all observations made by the officer prior to the tests. The State agreed and Dropped the defendant's Second DUI.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Nov 2, 2022	Case: 22-CT-035994	Judge Peacock
Facts:	The defendant was stopped for not having his headlights on after dark. The officer noticed an odor of alcohol, slurred speech, and glassy eyes. The defendant then performed the HGN (eye test), walk and turn, and one leg stand exercises. He was then arrested for DUI and later refused the breath test.
Defense:	There was a lack of probable cause to arrest the defendant based on his performance on the roadside tests. Also, on tape, his speech was normal and not slurred.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Nov 2, 2022	Case: 22-CT-031152	Judge Peacock
Facts:	The defendant was found unconscious in his running truck in a bar parking lot. Upon awakening him, the officer noticed an odor of alcohol, watery eyes, and he appeared unsteady. The defendant refused to perform roadside tests and was arrested for DUI. He later refused a breath test.
Defense:	The defendant had no capability to operate his truck while he was sleeping. Thus, he could not have been in actual physical control. Also, he was trying to the do the right thing by coming out the bar, sleeping it off, and not driving.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Nov 2, 2022	Case: 22-CT-009245	Judge Jeske
Facts:	The defendant was stopped for speeding and driving in an erratic "jerky" manner. The officer noticed an odor of alcohol, slurred/erratic speech, and she appeared unsteady on her feet. After performing various field sobriety tests, she was arrested for DUI and later blew a .146 and .141 in the breath machine.
Defense:	Many observations written in the police reports contradicted the video tape. After negotiations, the State Dropped the DUI.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Nov 2, 2022	Case: 22-CT-006655	Judge Jeske
Facts:	The defendant was stopped for driving southbound in the northbound lane. The officer observed an odor of alcohol, slurred speech, and bloodshot eyes. He admitted to drinking, was unsteady, and had a bracelet on from a bar. He performed poorly on roadside tests and was arrested for DUI. He later blew .199, .177, and .183 in the breath machine.
Defense:	Under Florida law, two breath samples are required within a .02 margin of error of each other. Here, there were three because the first two were outside the margin of error. Due to discrepancies in the breath results, inconsistencies in the evidence, and several negotiations, the State Dropped the DUI.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Nov 2, 2022	Case: 22-CT-004767	Judge Jeske
Facts:	The defendant was found passed out in his truck by police. Upon awakening him, they noticed an odor of alcohol, slurred speech, and the defendant stated he had been partying. An open bottle of beer was also found in his truck. After performing poorly on roadside tests, he was arrested for DUI. He later blew a .182 and .181 in the breath machine.
Defense:	The legality of the initial seizure of the defendant by ordering him out of his truck was called into question.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Nov 2, 2022	Case: 22-CT-030015	Judge Peacock
Facts:	The defendant was stopped after being observed by the police drifting within his lane. He was also crossing over lane markers and speeding. Officers noticed an odor of alcohol, bloodshot eyes, and he seemed confused. He swayed, appeared clumsy, and admitted to having consumed two drinks. He then performed numerous roadside tests and was arrested for DUI. He later blew a .161 and .149 in the breath machine.
Defense:	After several conversations with the State regarding the evidence, the State Dropped the DUI.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Nov 1, 2022	Case: 21-CF-012805	Judge Barbour
Facts:	The defendant was stopped by police at gunpoint after two civilians stated via 911 that the defendant was following them and pulled a gun on them. Within a minute of the 911 call, police located the defendant and stopped his car. After being ordered out, the police placed handcuffs on him and kept him detained. While cuffed, the officer noticed an odor alcohol, he admitted to having drank 3-4 beers, and he had red/glassy eyes. He was asked to perform roadside tests and was arrested for DUI. He later refused a breath test. This was the defendant's 4th DUI and he was charged with Felony DUI. He was also charged with two counts of aggravated assault with a firearm.
Defense:	Parks & Braxton took pretrial depositions of the witnesses. At depo, the civilian witnesses who stated that the defendant pulled a gun were impeached with their pretrial statements which contradicted the depo testimony. In addition, the police did not find any gun. The two aggravated assault charges were Dismissed. As to the Felony DUI, the defendant was unlawfully detained as the police kept him handcuffed after not finding any gun. All of the DUI observations were made after the illegal detention. In addition, the officer's testimony was also impeached at the depo.
Result:	The State Dropped the defendant's 4th Felony DUI.

Oct 31, 2022	Case: 21-CT-020132	Judge Bryson
Facts:	The defendant was stopped for weaving and speeding. The officer noticed an odor of alcohol, slurred speech, and he swayed while standing. The defendant, when asked if he had been drinking, admitted to having consumed 2, 3, or 4 beers. The defendant refused to perform any field sobriety tests and was arrested for DUI. He later blew a .184 and .171 in the breath machine.
Defense:	After a year of discussions and negotiations with the State about the evidence, they Dropped the DUI.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Oct 31, 2022	Case: 22-CT-008720	Judge Panse
Facts:	The defendant was the at fault driver in a rear end crash. The officer noticed an odor of alcohol, bloodshot eyes, and he used his vehicle for balance. He admitted to having drank a glass of vodka and almost fell over. He then performed various roadside tests. For example, on the walk and turn, he stepped off the line, took 19 steps (versus the required 9), and lost his balance. On the one leg stand, he fell over on the ground. He was then arrested for DUI and later refused a breath test.
Defense:	We pointed out due the defendant's age being over 70 years old, and various medical conditions, the impairment observed on the roadsides could have as easily been due to those factors versus alcohol.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.