DUI Wins

Jun 3, 2021	Case: 21-CT-000886	Judge Gutman
Facts:	The defendant was stopped for weaving, almost striking concrete curbs, and driving on lane markers. Officers observed an odor of alcohol, watery eyes, and he admitted to having drank vodka/Red Bulls. After performing various field sobriety tests such as the walk and turn, one leg stand, and HGN (eye test), he was arrested for DUI. He later blew. a .095 and a .095 in the breath machine.
Defense:	There is a .02 margin of error in the breath machine. Thus, the firm was able to put the defendant's breath alcohol results under the legal limit.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Jun 3, 2021	Case: 20-CT-009351	Judge Gutman
Facts:	The defendant was the at fault driver in a rollover crash. When officers arrived on scene, they observed an odor of alcohol, bloodshot eyes, thick/slurred speech, and a confused demeanor. The defendant was transported to the hospital where she refused to provide a blood sample. She was later charged with DUI.
Defense:	There was doubt as to whether any impairment observed was equally due to the severity of the rollover crash versus impairment by alcohol.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Jun 3, 2021	Case: 20-CT-008964	Judge
Facts:	The defendant was contacted by police after a caller stated that he was passed out in the drive thru lane at a fast food restaurant. Officers observed a strong smell of Marijuana, an odor of alcohol, and bloodshot eyes. He performed poorly on the roadside tests and he was arrested for enhanced DUI, because there was a child in the car. He later provided a urine sample which tested positive for Marijuana once analyzed by the FDLE lab.
Defense:	Due to contradictions in the police reports versus the video, the Sate Dropped the DUI.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Jun 3, 2021	Case: 21-CT-000352	Judge Gutman
Facts:	The defendant was stopped for driving with no lights. The officer noticed an odor of alcohol, bloodshot eyes, and an unsteady balance. After performing roadside tests, she was arrested for DUI. She later refused to provide a breath sample.
Defense:	Based on the video and written evidence, the firm put forth that there was a lack of probable cause to make the arrest.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Jun 2, 2021	Case: 20-MM-000704	Judge Wilson
Facts:	The police responded to a call about a reckless driver who appeared intoxicated and almost ran them off the road. Police spotted the vehicle in question, driven by the defendant, who had pulled over on the side of the road. When police made contact, they observed an odor of alcohol. He stated that he had drank rum and tequila, and he had extremely slurred speech. He was verbally abusive and also very belligerent. 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. He was also charged with making threats to law enforcement and willfully refusing to sign a summons.
Defense:	The officers did not corroborate any diving pattern prior to making contact and ordering him out of the car. Thus, the firm put forth that initial stop was unlawful. The State Dropped the defendant's Second DUI. The other two charges were dropped as well.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Jun 2, 2021	Case: 20-CT-011306	Judge Scott for Mcneil
Facts:	The defendant was stopped for weaving and straddling on the lane markers. The officer observed an odor of alcohol, bloodshot eyes, and slurred speech. The defendant admitted to having consumed beer and taking Klonipin (a controlled substance). After performing field sobriety tests, he was arrested for DUI.
Defense:	The defendant was stopped for weaving and straddling on the lane markers. The officer observed an odor of alcohol, bloodshot eyes, and slurred speech. The defendant admitted to having consumed beer and taking Klonopin (a controlled substance). After performing field sobriety tests, he was arrested for DUI.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Jun 1, 2021	Case: 20-CT-002478	Judge Conrad
Facts:	The defendant crashed his car into a mailbox and ended up in a ditch. The officer came into contact with the defendant about an hour and half later, down the road from the crash scene. The officer observed an odor of alcohol, slurred speech, and bloodshot eyes. The defendant performed poorly on roadside tests and was arrested for DUI. He later blew a .235 and a .233 in the breath machine. This was the defendant's Second DUI.
Defense:	The State could not prove that the defendant was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash due to the time frame and distance from the crash scene.
Result:	The State Dropped the defendant's Second DUI.

May 27, 2021	Case: 20-CT-011010	Judge Gutman
Facts:	The defendant was found by police sitting in his car with a flat tire and fresh damage to the passenger side mirror. He exited his car and began urinating in front of the officer. Officers observed an odor of alcohol, slurred/mumbled nonsensical speech, and glassy eyes. He became belligerent and had trouble following instructions. He couldn't perform any roadside tests and was arrested for DUI. He later refused the breath test.
Defense:	The firm raised issues with the State as to whether the the defendant was impaired prior to the vehicle being inoperable.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

May 24, 2021	Case: 20-CT-016247	Judge Panse
Facts:	The defendant was stopped for speeding, weaving, and cutting all over lanes of traffic. Officers observed an odor of alcohol, a flushed red face, and slurred speech. The defendant appeared nonresponsive to the officer’s questions. After performing roadside tests, she was arrested for DUI. She later refused the breath test. This was the defendant's Second DUI arrest.
Defense:	The firm pointed out to the State that on tape the officer had his mind made up to arrest the defendant prior to any DUI investigation being conducted. He was talking very fast and the defendant couldn't follow what he was saying. It was very clear that he was just going though the motions.
Result:	The State Dropped the defendant's Second DUI.

May 20, 2021	Case: ABW48OE	Judge Szematowicz
Facts:	The defendant was stopped for weaving. Officers observed an odor of alcohol, bloodshot/watery eyes, and a dazed look. Her speech was mumbled, she swayed while she stood, and she fumbled with her documents. After performing various field sobriety tests, she was arrested for DUI. She later blew. a .103 and a .098 in the breath machine.
Defense:	Due to the .02 margin of error in the breath machine, the firm was able to place one of the defendant's breath results under the legal limit. In addition, when the officer performed the HGN (eye test) on the defendant, he did not get an angle of onset prior to 45 degrees. What that means is that the defendant could have been under the legal limit at the time of driving pursuant to Tharpe's formula. Also, many observations the officer wrote were contradicted by the video tape.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

May 18, 2021	Case: 21-CT-001454	Judge Farr
Facts:	The defendant was stopped for being stopped in a lane of traffic asleep at the wheel. Officers noticed the defendant to have an odor of alcohol, slurred speech, and bloodshot eyes. He also was unsteady and admitted to having drank alcohol. He then performed roadside tests and was arrested for DUI. He later blew. a 133 and a .126 in the breath machine.
Defense:	The initial seizure by police was unlawful when they ordered him out of the car because they made no DUI observations while he was still seated in the car.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

May 18, 2021	Case: 20-CT-008692	Judge Farr
Facts:	The defendant was stopped after he almost collided with a police car. Officers observed an odor of alcohol, slurred speech, and he appeared sleepy. They also noticed slow/deliberate movements, watery eyes, and a dazed/blank stare. After performing various field sobriety tests, he was arrested for DUI. He later refused the breath test. This was the defendant's Third DUI arrest.
Defense:	Many observations the officer wrote in his reports were contradicted by the video tape.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

May 12, 2021	Case: 20-CT-011107	Judge Farr
Facts:	The defendant was stopped for driving the wrong way and swerving. The officer noticed an odor of alcohol, glassy eyes, and slurred speech. He was asked to perform roadside tests to which he refused. He was then arrested for DUI. He later refused the breath test. This was the defendant's Second DUI.
Defense:	The credibility of the officers was called into question as to whether or not the defendant actually had an odor of alcohol. One officer can he heard on tape saying he did not smell anything even as he was up close. Also, the defendant's speech did not appear slurred on tape.
Result:	The State Dropped the Defendant's Second DUI.

May 7, 2021	Case: 20-004566MU10A1	Judge Szematowicz
Facts:	The defendant was the at fault driver in a rear end crash. Officers observed an odor of alcohol and bloodshot/watery eyes, After performing various field sobriety tests such as the walk and turn and one leg stand, he was arrested for DUI. He later refused the breath test.
Defense:	On tape, it was clear the arresting officer was being trained by a field training officer. At one point on tape, after all the roadside tests were completed by the trainee, the trainee was overheard saying to his superior, "I am not sure." The arresting officer can be heard, "use your training and experience. " Well, he has none.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

May 6, 2021	Case: 20-004566MU10A	Judge Solomon
Facts:	The defendant was the at fault driver in a crash and then fled the scene. When officers caught the defendant, they observed an odor of alcohol, glassy eyes, and he had a hard time keeping his eyes open. He appeared very unsteady, used the car door for support, and had a dazed look. The defendant refused to perform roadside tests and was arrested for DUI and leaving the scene of an accident. He later refused the breath test.
Defense:	The firm filed a pretrial motion to suppress any and all of the defendant's statements to police based on a violation of Miranda. On the day of the motion, the State agreed to Drop the DUI. He also received no conviction on the leaving the scene of an accident charge.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

May 6, 2021	Case: 20-CT-016822	Judge Eissey
Facts:	The defendant crashed his car into another car after backing out of a driveway. Officers observed the defendant to have an odor of alcohol, slightly slurred speech, and he admitted to having drank beer. He was unsteady and had trouble focusing. He kept repeating the same story over and over. After performing field sobriety tests, he was arrested for DUI. He later blew a .123 and a .127 in the breath machine.
Defense:	legal issues were raised by the firm about whether the defendant was coerced into taking a breath test.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

May 5, 2021	Case: 20-CT-008124	Judge Gutman
Facts:	The defendant was stopped for weaving. The officer observed an odor of alcohol, glassy eyes, and he used his truck for balance. After performing only the HGN (eye test) , he refused to perform any others. He was then arrested for DUI and later refused the breath test.
Defense:	Parks & Braxton raised issues as to a lack of probable cause to make the arrest based on the video tape evidence.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

May 5, 2021	Case: 20-CT-011110	Judge Gutman
Facts:	The defendant was stopped for speeding and crossing over lane markers. The officer observed an odor of alcohol, bloodshot/glassy eyes, and a flushed face. He admitted to having drank beer. He was also unsteady and he swayed while standing. After performing roadside tests, he was arrested for DUI. He later blew a .156 and a .145 in the breath machine.
Defense:	The firm raised various contradictions in the reports versus the video tape.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Apr 27, 2021	Case: 20-CT-012321	Judge Conrad
Facts:	The defendant was stopped for driving the wrong way down a one way street. The officer noticed an odor of alcohol, watery/bloodshot eyes, and slurred speech. The defendant refused to perform roadside tests and was arrested for DUI. He later refused the breath test.
Defense:	Parks & Braxton raised issues as to the lawfulness of the arrest due to a lack of probable cause.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Apr 20, 2021	Case: 20-CT-012002	Judge Farr
Facts:	The defendant was found passed out in the driver's seat of his car in the middle of an intersection. Upon awakening the defendant, officers observed an odor of alcohol, slurred speech, and watery/glassy eyes. He also had displaced motor skills and was unsteady. After performing roadside tests, he was arrested for DUI. He later blew a .197 and a .188 in the breath machine.
Defense:	The firm brought contradictions between the reports and the video to the State's attention.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.