DUI Wins

Sep 14, 2021	Case: 21-CT-023554	Judge Jacobus
Facts:	The defendant was the at fault driver in a parking lot fender bender. The eyewitness at the scene identified the defendant as the driver. The defendant and her friend then switched seats. When officers made contact, the defendant was now in the passenger seat. She was asked to step out of the car. Once out, officers observed her to have an odor of alcohol, mumbling speech, and slow movements. She then performed poorly on roadside tests and was arrested for DUI. She later refused the breath test.
Defense:	The defendant denied ever being the initial driver involved in the crash. Questions were then raised by the firm as to the accuracy of the eyewitness’s identification.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Sep 14, 2021	Case: 21-CT-000298	Judge Jeske
Facts:	The defendant was stopped after he crossed over the dotted white line on three different occasions. The officer then observed an odor of alcohol, bloodshot eyes, and fumbling fingers. He also had slurred speech and admitted to having drank alcohol. After performing field sobriety tests, he was arrested for DUI. He later refused the breath test.
Defense:	There was no reasonable suspicion to believe that the defendant was impaired for simply crossing over the line 3 times within a quarter of a mile. It could have been something as innocent as changing the radio station or looking down at one's phone for a second.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Sep 14, 2021	Case: 21-CT-023358	Judge Silverman
Facts:	A "BOLO" went out about a reckless driver weaving in and out of traffic. When officers spotted the defendant (the driver in question), they observed her swerving and slowing down. Upon contact, the officers observed the defendant to have an odor of alcohol, she fumbled with her documents, and had slurred speech. She also staggered and stumbled while outside the car. After performing very poorly on roadside tests, she was arrested for DUI. She later blew a .237 and a .236 in the breath machine.
Defense:	Issues were raised by the firm regarding the lawfulness of the traffic stop such as whether the caller was anonymous, and the amount of corroboration visualized by the officer.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Sep 13, 2021	Case: 21-CT-011689	Judge Collins
Facts:	The defendant was involved in a single car crash. Her car ran off the road into the bushes. When officers arrived, they noticed the defendant to have an odor of alcohol, very slurred speech, and watery eyes. She had slow/lethargic movements and swayed. She then performed poorly on roadside tests and was arrested for DUI.
Defense:	Officers had on body worn cameras. On tape, the defendant's speech was not slurred and she did not appear unsteady. They it made it seem like her performance on the field sobriety tests was worse on paper than what appeared on tape. The firm brought all this to the prosecutor's attention.
Result:	The State Dropped the DUI.

Sep 9, 2021	Case: 21-CT-000648	Judge Wansboro
Facts:	The defendant was stopped for driving the wrong way and having no headlight. The officer observed an odor of alcohol, a blank stare, and watery eyes. She also had constricted pupils and slurred speech. She then performed poorly on various field sobriety tests and was arrested for DUI. She later blew a .117 and a .115 in the breath machine.
Defense:	There was no dash camera or body worn camera. Since the reports were vaguely written, the State Dropped the DUI.
Result:	The State Dropped the DUI.

Sep 2, 2021	Case: 21-CT-002081	Judge Conrad
Facts:	A caller dialed 911 and stated that the defendant was driving the wrong way. A deputy located the vehicle driven by the defendant. Upon contact, the officer noticed an odor of alcohol, red/watery eyes, and slurred speech. She also had unsteady balance and her movements were lethargic. After performing poorly on the roadside tests, she was arrested for DUI. She later refused the breath test.
Defense:	Since the caller only described an alleged traffic infraction, the officer had to have seen some type of erratic driving pattern or infraction to seize the defendant. Since he did not, the lawfulness of the traffic stop was called into question.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Sep 1, 2021	Case: 19-011331MU10A	Judge Carpenter-Toye
Facts:	The defendant was stopped for speeding. The officer observed an odor of alcohol, bloodshot eyes, and he had a cup of whiskey in the center console. The defendant also stumbled and admitted to having drank whiskey. After performing field sobriety tests, he was arrested for DUI. He later blew a .096 and a .093 in the breath machine.
Defense:	Parks & Braxton announced ready for trial. There were numerous inconsistencies in the officer's reports, as well as the video. Also, with the .02 margin of error on the breath machine, we were able to place the defendant's breath alcohol results under the legal limit. On the morning of trial, the State Dropped the DUI and the defendant received no conviction on his record.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Sep 1, 2021	Case: 21-CT--000588	Judge Sestak
Facts:	The defendant drove toward a dead end where an FHP happened to be sitting in his car. After the defendant realized it was a dead end, he turned around. The trooper then initiated a traffic stop. The officer noticed an odor of alcohol, watery eyes and mumbled speech. The defendant performed very poorly on the roadside tests and was arrested for DUI. He later blew a .206 and a .197 in the breath machine.
Defense:	The firm advised the prosecutor prior to any motions being filed that there was no probable cause to stop the defendant. The State Agreed and Dropped the DUI to a civil infraction and the defendant received no conviction or points on the civil infraction.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Aug 31, 2021	Case: 20-CT-038546	Judge Friedland
Facts:	The defendant was rear ended by another car. When officers arrived, they noticed the defendant to have an odor of alcohol, mumbled speech, and red/glassy eyes. The defendant was then taken to the hospital where she refused to provide a blood sample. She was then charged with DUI. This was the defendant's Second DUI.
Defense:	The officers’ reports contradicted each other. In one report, he wrote that the defendant had mumbled speech, but in another one he wrote the defendant had good speech. Due to the fact that the defendant was not the cause of crash, no roadsides were conducted, and the officer's credibility was called into question, there was a lack of probable cause to arrest the defendant. The State Dropped the defendant's Second DUI.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Aug 31, 2021	Case: 21-CT-010804	Judge Friedland
Facts:	The defendant was stopped for speeding. The defendant failed to stop within a reasonable time after the officer turned on his police lights. The officer then observed an odor of alcohol, red/watery eyes, and he lacked motor skills. The defendant stated he drank 2 beers and 3 Vegas Bomb shots. After performing roadside tests, he was arrested for DUI. He later refused the breath test.
Defense:	Many of the observations written by the officer were contradicted by the dash camera video tape.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Aug 31, 2021	Case: 21-MM-010014	Judge Friedland
Facts:	The defendant was stopped after a caller told 911 that the defendant was "high as a kite." When officers made contact, they observed the defendant to have slow/slurred speech and slow/lethargic movements. Believing he was impaired by drugs and not alcohol, he was asked to perform roadside tests. He performed very poorly and was arrested for DUI. He later refused a urine test.
Defense:	Under Florida law (Fla. Statute 316.193) to prove a DUI, the State must prove that a defendant be impaired by alcohol, and/or a specific chemical and/or controlled substance. Here, the State could not prove either of the above. One cannot just be impaired to be convicted of DUI.
Result:	The DUI was dismissed.

Aug 30, 2021	Case: 21-CT-006470	Judge Damico
Facts:	The defendant was stopped for swerving in and out of traffic and almost hitting a house after a 911 caller relayed what they had seen. Upon contact, the officers noticed the defendant to have an odor of alcohol, glassy eyes, and slow dexterity. She was unstable, her speech was mumbled, and she had slow comprehension. She performed poorly on the roadside tests such as the walk and turn and one leg stand. She was then arrested for DUI and later blew .166, .134, and .145 in the breath machine.
Defense:	The officer did not see any driving pattern upon stopping the defendant. Thus, he had no corroboration to legally justify the traffic stop. Thus, the lawfulness of the traffic stop was called into question.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Aug 30, 2021	Case: 21-CT-007232	Judge Damico
Facts:	A caller dialed 911 stating that the defendant was driving all over the road and speeding. When the officer spotted the defendant, he also observed weaving and speeding. Upon coming in contact with the defendant after the traffic stop, he observed the defendant to have an odor of alcohol, thick tongued speech, and watery eyes. He also appeared unsteady. After refusing to perform roadside tests, he was arrested for DUI. He later refused the breath test.
Defense:	The defendant stated he had major back issues which would have contributed to any unsteadiness. In addition, his speech was not slurred on tape.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Aug 19, 2021	Case: 21-CT-002716	Judge Moses-Stephens
Facts:	The defendant was stopped for speeding, weaving, and almost striking a police car. Officers observed the defendant to have an odor of alcohol, slurred speech, and a hard time locating his documents. He also stated he had drank 4 to 5 beers. After performing various field sobriety tests, he was arrested for DUI. He later blew a .166 and a .164 in the breath machine.
Defense:	English is not the defendant's first language. Officers made no attempts to get an interpreter to assist in the DUI investigation so the defendant could properly understand.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Aug 18, 2021	Case: 21-CT-018173	Judge T. Brown
Facts:	The defendant was stopped for excessive speed and failing to maintain her lane of travel. Officers noticed the defendant to have an odor of alcohol, glassy eyes, and slurred speech. She had difficulty maintain her balance and swayed while standing. After performing roadside tests such as the one leg stand and walk and turn, she was arrested for DUI.
Defense:	Many observations such as slurred speech and balance issues were contradicted by the defendant's video tape. This was brought to the State's attention by the firm. The State Dropped the DUI and the defendant received no criminal conviction on her record.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Aug 18, 2021	Case: 20-CT-055614	Judge Jacobus
Facts:	The defendant was stopped for weaving all over the road, almost hitting a parked vehicle, and following too closely. Upon contact, officers observed convoluted and confusing statements. His eyes fluttered and they were glassy. The defendant was very aggressive and belligerent with the officers. After refusing roadside tests, he was arrested for DUI as the officers concluded he was impaired by drugs and not alcohol. He later refused breath and urine tests.
Defense:	Under Florida DUI statute 316.193, the State must prove that a defendant is impaired by a specific chemical and/or controlled substance. One just can’t be impaired by something. The State could not prove the case and Dropped the DUI. The defendant received no criminal conviction.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Aug 18, 2021	Case: 21-CT-010035	Judge T. Brown
Facts:	The defendant was stopped for speeding. Officers observed an odor of alcohol, bloodshot eyes, and slurred speech. He also had a flushed face and had a sway to his stance. The defendant admitted to having dank wine. After performing various field sobriety tests, he was arrested for DUI. He later blew a .146 and a .140 in the breath machine.
Defense:	Due to many inconsistencies in the evidence, the State Dropped the DUI.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Aug 17, 2021	Case: 20-CT-009003	Judge Jeske
Facts:	The defendant was involved in a traffic crash after he wiped out on his motorcycle and slid into another car. When officers arrived, they observed an odor of alcohol, slurred speech, and he stumbled on his feet. He also had glassy/watery eyes. The defendant refused to perform roadside tests and was arrested for DUI. He later refused the breath test. This was the defendant's Second DUI arrest.
Defense:	When asking the defendant to perform roadside tests, the officer misstated the law by telling him that one consents to roadsides when they get their driver's license. Under Florida law, the only thing that pertains to one's consent when they get a driver's license is a breath, urine, or blood test.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Aug 17, 2021	Case: 20-CT-009314	Judge Jeske
Facts:	The defendant was observed by the officer sitting in her car with the engine running behind a business establishment. Police responded to a call about a mentally ill person. When officers made contact with the defendant, they observed an odor of alcohol, numerous cans of alcohol that were crushed and empty, difficulty following directions, and slurred speech. She also gave unusual and inconsistent statements. She then performed poorly on roadside tests and was arrested for DUI. She later refused the breath test.
Defense:	On tape, officers had made statements to each other on the body cameras about whether the defendant was impaired by a mental illness or alcohol. This was not written in any police reports. Had the firm not watched the tapes, it never would have been discovered or brought to the prosecutor's attention. Thus, there was reasonable doubt as to whether she was impaired by alcohol or a mental illness.
Result:	The DUI was dismissed.

Aug 10, 2021	Case: 20-CT-007979	Judge Gutman
Facts:	The defendant was the at fault driver in a rear end crash. The officer observed an odor of alcohol, bloodshot eyes, and slurred speech. The defendant also struggled to find her documents. She refused to perform roadside tests and was arrested for DUI. She later refused the breath test. This was her Second DUI and also Second refusal.
Defense:	At the civil administrative DMV hearing, the officer testified under oath how the defendant was practically a falling down drunk. This testimony was contradicted by the video tape. The State Dropped her Second DUI and dismissed the refusal charge.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.