DUI Wins

Apr 7, 2025	Case: AKBGV7E	Judge Lawhorne
Facts:	The defendant was stopped after driving through a parking lot at a high rate of speed and slamming her brakes causing her to slow roll. Officers noticed an odor of alcohol, bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, and a sway to her stance. She was also emotional. She performed poorly on the HGN (eye test), finger to nose, estimation of 30 seconds, walk and turn, and one legs stand exercises. She was arrested for DUI and later blew a.158 and .142 in the breath machine.
Result:	After negotiations with the State regarding the evidence and the defendant, the State Dropped the DUI.

Apr 7, 2025	Case: AJF4JKE	Judge Lawhorne
Facts:	The defendant was stopped for driving the wrong way by driving southbound in the northbound lane. Officers observed an odor of alcohol, glassy/watery eyes, and slurred speech. After performing the HGN (eye test), walk and turn, and one leg stand, she was arrested for DUI. She later refused a breath test.
Defense:	After negotiations with the State regarding the evidence and the defendant, the State Dropped the DUI.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Apr 4, 2025	Case: 24-CT-014379	Judge Rich
Facts:	The defendant was stopped for speeding. Officers observed an odor of alcohol and bloodshot eyes. He refused to do any field sobriety tests and was arrested for DUI. He later refused a breath test. This was the defendant Second DUI within five years and he was also charged with a Second refusal to take a breath test.
Result:	The DUI was dismissed.

Apr 3, 2025	Case: 24-CT-004584	Judge Gould
Facts:	The defendant was involved in a traffic crash in an intersection. When officers arrived, they observed the defendant to have an odor of alcohol, slurred speech, unsteadiness, and droopy/glassy eyes. The defendant refused to do any field sobriety tests and was arrested for DUI. She later blew a .161 and .158 in the breath machine.
Defense:	After a review of the evidence, it was determined that the defendant was not the at fault driver in the crash. On tape, her speech was normal and she had no balance issues. There was a complete lack of probable cause to arrest her. After conversations with the State about the evidence, they Dropped the DUI.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Apr 3, 2025	Case: 24-CT-003886	Judge Gould
Facts:	The defendant was stopped for speeding (90 mph in a 60 mph zone). Officers noticed an odor of alcohol watery/bloodshot eyes, and she stated that she had consumed three rum drinks. Once out of the car, she appeared unsteady. She performed poorly on the HGN (eye test), walk and turn, and one leg stand exercises. She later refused a breath test.
Defense:	After negotiations with the State regarding the evidence and the defendant, the State Dropped the DUI.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Apr 3, 2025	Case: 24-CT-502120	Judge Paluck
Facts:	A BOLO (be on the lookout) went out that the defendant was driving all over the road. Officers spotted the defendant and observed him weaving all over the road. Officers noticed an odor of marijuana, red/glossy eyes, dilated pupils, and had a relaxed/carefree state of mind. The defendant stated that he had smoked pot before driving and exhibited a lack of concentration. The defendant refused to perform roadside tests and was arrested for DUI. He later refused a urine test.
Defense:	The firm announced ready for trial. We pointed out to the State that on tape the defendant's speech was normal and he had no balance issues. Just prior to trial and after conversations with the State, they Dropped the DUI.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Apr 2, 2025	Case: 24-CT-012393	Judge Taylor
Facts:	The defendant was stopped for swerving, braking inconsistently, and following too closely. Officers observed an odor alcohol, bloodshot eyes, slurred/thick speech, and a sway. Alcohol was also found in the car. He performed poorly on field sobriety tests such as the HGN (eye test), walk and turn, and one leg stand. He was arrested for DUI and later blew a .179 and .178 in the breath machine.
Defense:	After conversation with the State regarding the evidence and the defendant, the State Dropped the DUI.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Apr 2, 2025	Case: 24-CT-017450	Judge Taylor
Facts:	The defendant was stuck in a ditch trying to put the vehicle in reverse when police arrived. They noticed an odor alcohol, glossy/watery eyes, and slurred speech. He was unsteady on his feet and had fumbling fingers. The defendant refused to perform field sobriety tests and was arrested for DUI. He later refused a breath test.
Defense:	After negotiations with the State regarding the evidence and the defendant, the State Dropped the DUI.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Apr 1, 2025	Case: 24-CT-015491	Judge Gutman
Facts:	The defendant was stopped for driving the wrong way in traffic. Officers noticed an odor of alcohol, slurred speech, and glassy eyes. He was also unsteady on his feet and admitted to having drank alcohol prior to driving. He performed poorly on the HGN (eye test), walk and turn, and one leg stand exercises. He was then arrested for DUI and later blew a .195 and .189 in the breath machine.
Defense:	After negotiations with the State regarding the evidence and the defendant, the State Dropped the DUI.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Mar 31, 2025	Case: 24-MM-011708	Judge Koenig
Facts:	The defendant was found passed out and unresponsive in a Circle K parking lot. When officers finally got the defendant to respond, they noticed an odor of alcohol, he struggled to open his eyes, and his speech was not understandable. He was disoriented and couldn't even form a sentence. He refused to perform field sobriety tests, but was too intoxicated to perform them anyway. He was arrested for DUI and later refused a breath test. He was also charged with resisting an officer without violence for not obeying their commands. This was the defendant's Second DUI.
Defense:	The firm provided mitigation to the State regarding the defendant. After conversations with the State, they Dropped his Second DUI and Dismissed the Resisting charge.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Mar 31, 2025	Case: 24-CT-002452	Judge Poblick
Facts:	The defendant was stopped for weaving all over the road and driving at inconsistent speeds. Officers observed an odor of alcohol, a flushed face, bloodshot/watery eyes, and slurred speech. When asked how much he had drank, he stated "not much at all." He also appeared lethargic and confused. The defendant refused to perform any roadside tests and was arrested for DUI. He later refused a breath test.
Defense:	After negotiations with the State regarding the evidence and the defendant, they Dropped the DUI.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Mar 25, 2025	Case: 24-MM-048849	Judge Skinner
Facts:	A call went out about a hit and run accident. Officers located the defendant and noticed an odor of alcohol, bloodshot/watery eyes, and a slight sway. The defendant performed various field sobriety tests such as HGN (eye test), one leg stand, and the walk and turn. He was arrested for DUI and later blew a .108 and .101 in the breath machine. The defendant was also charged with domestic battery for an incident that occurred shortly before the DUI arrest the same night.
Defense:	On tape, the defendant performed much better on the roadside tests than as described in the reports. Additionally, he was not the aggressor in the battery and it was determined that the other party started the fight. Finally, the breath test results were not turned over until months after the DUI arrest in violation of the discovery rules. The State Dropped the DUI and the defendant received no criminal conviction and only had to pay a fine. The Battery was Dismissed as well.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Mar 25, 2025	Case: 24-CT-053179	Judge Skinner
Facts:	The defendant was stopped for weaving all over the road. Officers noticed an odor of alcohol, glossy eyes, and mumbling/slurred speech. The defendant performed the HGN (eye test), walk and turn, and one leg stand exercises. He was then arrested for DUI and later refused a breath test.
Defense:	After negotiations with the State regarding the evidence and the defendant, the State Dropped the DUI.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Mar 25, 2025	Case: 24-CT-054994	Judge Skinner
Facts:	The defendant was stopped for driving with no lights on after dark. Officers noticed an odor of alcohol and she stated she had drank a Jack and Coke. After performing the HGN (eye test), walks and turn, and one leg stand exercises, she was arrested for DUI.
Defense:	An odor of alcohol alone is not enough to give an officer reasonable suspicion to request filed sobriety tests. As the roadside tests were obtained unlawfully, the State Dropped the DUI.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Mar 24, 2025	Case: 23-017147MU10A	Judge Lerner-Wren
Facts:	The defendant was passed out behind the wheel of his vehicle in the middle of the street. The car was running and his foot was on the brake. When the police tried to wake him up, he hit the police car in front of him. After exiting the car, the defendant looked and sounded extremely lethargic. The officers asked the defendant if he had consumed any alcohol. He explained that he had two tequila drinks. After observing bloodshot eyes, slurred speech and an odor of alcohol, the officers asked the defendant to perform field sobriety tests. After performing the HGN (eye test), the one leg stand, the walk and turn, and the Romberg balance test (estimation of time), he was arrested for DUI. He refused to submit to a breath test.
Defense:	Based on the initial portion of the video, it was clear that the defendant was lethargic and a bit out of it. However, the State was required to prove that the defendant was impaired from alcohol as opposed to merely being tired. On the walk and turn test, the officer picks up a pad to take notes and completely blocked the camera from videotaping the defendant's performance. In addition, the officer embellished in his report the defendant's performance on the other tests. The firm rejected all offers and announced ready for trial. The charges were dismissed.
Result:	The DUI was dismissed.

Mar 24, 2025	Case: 24-075350MU10A	Judge Evans
Facts:	The defendant was detained for driving on a flat tire. The officer observed glassy eyes, sweating and constricted pupils. The defendant admitted to taking an Ambien. The deputy was a DUI and Drug Recognition Expert, and after believing the defendant was under the influence of the Ambien he began a DUI investigation. The defendant performed a series of 5 different field sobriety tests and was arrested for DUI. The defendant provided a urine sample which was positive for controlled substances.
Defense:	Despite the presence of the controlled substance in his urine, the video was entirely inconsistent with the way the deputy wrote his report. The defendant was cooperative throughout the investigation. The defendant was presented with several offers including a reduced charge with points on his license. The firm announced ready for trial and the defendant walked away with no conviction on his record for any offense.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Mar 18, 2025	Case: 24-CT-017969	Judge Gutman
Facts:	The defendant was the at fault diver in a rear end crash. Officers noticed an odor of alcohol, slurred speech, sluggish reflexes, and she appeared unsteady. She then performed various roadside tests such as the walk and turn, one leg stand, and HGN (eye test). She was then arrested for DUI.
Defense:	Many observations written it the reports were contradicted by the video. On tape, she was not unsteady, her speech was not slurred, and she did not appear sluggish. After negotiations, the State Dropped the DUI.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Mar 18, 2025	Case: 24-CT-017820	Judge Weis
Facts:	Civilians at a bar called the police that the defendant threw a traffic cone at a parking attendant and was highly intoxicated. Police came in contact with the defendant as he was driving off. They noticed an odor of alcohol, blood shot eyes, and his speech was very slurred. He had difficulty answering basic questions due to his intoxication level. An open bottle of vodka was observed on the passenger seat. The defendant refused to perform any field sobriety tests, was arrested for DUI and later refused a breath test. This was the defendant's Second DUI.
Defense:	The officer stated in his police reports that he advised the defendant of the adverse consequences for refusing field sobriety tests. However, on tape, he never did. Thus, the officer's credibility was called into question. The State Dropped the defendant's Second DUI.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Mar 18, 2025	Case: 24-CT-013301	Judge Gutman
Facts:	The defendant was stopped for running a stop sign, weaving, and driving at inconsistent speeds. Officers noticed an odor of alcohol, glassy/bloodshot eyes, and slurred speech. When asked how much he had to drink, he replied, "not much at all." After performing the HGN (eye test), walk and turn, and one leg stand exercises, he was arrested for DUI. He later refused a breath a test.
Defense:	After conversations with the State regarding the evidence and the defendant, the State Dropped the DUI.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Mar 17, 2025	Case: 24-CT-503813	Judge Gonzalez
Facts:	The defendant was stopped for having no illuminated driver's side light. Officers noticed an odor of alcohol, bloodshot eyes, and slurred speech. The defendant only performed the HGN (eye test) and refused to do any other field sobriety tests. He was arrested for DUI and later refused a breath test.
Defense:	During negotiations, we pointed out to the prosecutor that on video, none of the defendant's normal faculties were impaired. Thus, there was no probable cause to arrest him. After a few conversations, the State Dropped the DUI.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.