DUI Wins

Jun 26, 2020	Case: AB6TC6E	Judge Bedinghaus
Facts:	The defendant was stopped for allegedly cutting off a motorcycle. The officer noticed an odor of alcohol, watery/glassy eyes, and mumbled speech. He was also unsteady and admitted to having drank two beers. After performing the HGN (eye test), walk and turn, and finger to nose tests, he was arrested for DUI. Believing he may have also been impaired by a controlled substance, the officer requested urine in which the defendant tested positive for marijuana.
Defense:	Prior to trial the firm was able to show the State that the defendant had knee injuries which affected his performance on the roadsides. In addition, the State could not prove that he was impaired by marijuana as no DRE (drug recognition officer) evaluated the defendant and marijuana stays in one's system for 30 days. The State Dropped the DUI.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Jun 22, 2020	Case: 19-CT-056664	Judge Babb
Facts:	The defendant was stopped for an inoperable tag light. The officer noticed an odor of alcohol, red/glassy eyes, and she admitted to having consumed a couple of drinks. The defendant had clumsy dexterity and mumbled speech. After performing field sobriety tests, she was arrested for DUI. She later blew a .184 and a .172 in the breath machine.
Defense:	Many of the officer's observations, prior to and during the roadside tests, were contradicted by the video tape. The State Dropped the DUI.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Jun 11, 2020	Case: AALGFFE	Judge Berlin
Facts:	The defendant was found passed out in his car in a construction site after a call went out about a suspicious vehicle. Upon awakening the defendant, the officers observed an odor of alcohol, bloodshot/watery eyes, and dilated pupils. The defendant was unsteady exiting his car and swayed while he stood. According to the officer, he failed the field sobriety tests and was arrested for DUI. He later refused the breath test.
Defense:	The video of the roadsides and the defendant's entire demeanor contradicted the officer's reports as to the level impairment. The State Dropped the DUI.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Jun 2, 2020	Case: 20-CT-500329	Judge Swett
Facts:	The defendant was stopped for speeding and weaving. The officer observed an odor of alcohol, thick tongued speech, and bloodshot/watery eyes. She also had a flushed face. After performing field sobriety tests, she was arrested for DUI. The officer also called in a DRE (drug recognition expert) because he had a belief she was also impaired by a controlled substance in addition to alcohol. She then submitted to the DRE exam at the BAT facility.
Defense:	After the officer's DRE exam, the DRE officer concluded that she was impaired by controlled substances. The firm was able to show through further discovery that his conclusion was wrong. The State Dismissed the DUI.
Result:	The DUI was dismissed.

Mar 10, 2020	Case: 2019-CT-012318	Judge Conrad
Facts:	The defendant was stopped for speeding and cutting off another car. The officer observed the defendant to have an odor of alcohol, slurred speech, and bloodshot eyes. The defendant performed poorly on the roadside tests and was arrested for DUI. She later refused the breath test. The defendant also had a suspended license.
Defense:	Per the NHTSA manual on roadside tests, officers should use caution administering the walk and turn and one leg stand to people who may be severely overweight. On video, it was clear the defendant was having trouble performing the physical exercises due to weight issues. The State Dropped the DUI and also the suspended license charge.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Mar 10, 2020	Case: 19-CT-016734	Judge Conrad
Facts:	The defendant was stopped for weaving and almost hitting a police car. The officer observed an odor of alcohol, slurred speech, and watery eyes. He then performed the field sobriety tests, such as the HGN (eye test), walk and turn, and one leg stand. He was arrested for DUI and later refused the breath test.
Defense:	The officer made the defendant look like a very impaired person on his field sobriety test reports. This was contradicted by the video tape. The State Dropped the DUI.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Mar 9, 2020	Case: 2019-CT-048644	Judge Jacobus
Facts:	The defendant was stopped for weaving. The officer noticed an odor of alcohol, bloodshot eyes, and he swayed while he stood. He appeared unsteady and moved slowly. After performing very poorly on the roadside tests, he was arrested for DUI. He later blew a .217 and a .212 in the breath machine.
Defense:	The firm raised issues as to the lawfulness of the traffic stop. The State Dropped the DUI.
Result:	The State Dropped the DUI.

Mar 9, 2020	Case: 2019-CT-051738	Judge Jacobus
Facts:	The defendant was stopped for speeding. The officer observed an odor of alcohol, bloodshot eyes, and a flushed face. He also had slurred speech and a drowsy expression. He then performed roadside tests and was arrested for DUI. He later blew a .083 in the breath machine.
Defense:	Due to the margins of error in the breath machine, the firm was able to bring the defendant's breath alcohol under the .08 legal limit. The State Dropped the DUI.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Mar 9, 2020	Case: 2019-CT-029266	Judge Jacobus
Facts:	The defendant was pulled over for weaving. The officer observed an odor of alcohol, watery eyes, a flushed face, and slow movements. He then refused to perform roadside tests and was arrested for DUI. He later refused a breath test. This was the defendant's Second DUI.
Defense:	The officer did not advise the defendant of any adverse consequences, as required by law, when he refused the roadside tests. Thus, the defendant's refusal would have been suppressed. The State dropped the Second DUI to a civil infraction.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Mar 5, 2020	Case: 19-CT-013977	Judge Farr
Facts:	The defendant was stopped for weaving and braking erratically. The defendant had an odor of alcohol, bloodshot eyes, and he he swayed while he stood. The defendant only agreed to perform HGN (eye test) and then refused further testing. He was arrested for DUI and later refused the breath test.
Defense:	Under Florida law, an officer must explain that there are adverse consequences if you refuse to perform field sobriety tests. Here, the officer did not, so the refusal would have been excluded from evidence. The State Dropped the DUI.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Mar 4, 2020	Case: 19-CT-009766	Judge Jeske
Facts:	The defendant was the at fault driver in a rear end traffic crash. There was no odor of alcohol, however, the officer observed the defendant to have pinpoint pupils, slow/slurred speech, and he was falling asleep mid-sentence. He also had a very difficult time focusing. After failing roadside tests, he was arrested for DUI. He later provided a urine sample which tested tested positive at FDLE for various controlled substances. This was the defendant's Second DUI.
Defense:	Although the officer stated in his reports that the defendant was falling asleep, that was contradicted by the video where he seemed alert and awake. Also, the officer should have called for a DUI officer who specializes in detecting impairment by specific categories of drugs, called a DRE (drug recognition officer). That was not done. The State dropped the defendant's Second DUI.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Mar 4, 2020	Case: 19-CT-017527	Judge Myers
Facts:	The defendant was stopped for following another car too closely and speeding. The officer noticed an odor of alcohol, slurred speech, and unstable balance. The defendant performed poorly on roadside tests and was arrested for DUI. He later refused the breath test. This was the defendant's Second DUI.
Defense:	Prior to trial, the firm pointed out to the State that the the defendant had medical issues, yet the officer still had him do the one leg stand versus non physical exercises. Also, many observations were contradicted by the video as the defendant's speech was not slurred and he was not off balance. The State Dropped the DUI.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Mar 3, 2020	Case: 19-CT-045707	Judge Friedland
Facts:	A concerned citizen called police after observing the defendant chugging beers in a Publix parking lot and then drive off. Police then stopped the vehicle. The officer observed an odor of alcohol, bloodshot eyes, and he admitted to having drank 3 beers. He also had slurred speech and his dexterity was clumsy. He performed poorly on the roadside tests and was arrested for DUI. The officer asked for a blood test. The defendant agreed and the FDLE report later indicated a blood alcohol level .186 and .185.
Defense:	If an officer asks for a voluntary blood test outside of a hospital, the defendant must be informed that it is an alternative to a breath or urine test. Here, the officer did not inform the defendant of that. It was also unclear why the officer was even asking for blood versus taking him to jail to provide a breath test. Thus, the blood would have been suppressed from evidence. The State Dropped the DUI.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Mar 3, 2020	Case: 19-CT-021367	Judge Friedland
Facts:	The defendant was the at fault driver in a crash. He made a wide turn and hit someone head on. The officer observed the defendant to have an odor of alcohol, thick tongued speech, and glassy eyes. He swayed and was very unsteady. After performing the roadside tests, he was arrested for DUI. He later blew a .107 a and .106 in the breath machine.
Defense:	The video evidence contradicted a large majority of what as written in the reports. The State Dropped the DUI.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Mar 2, 2020	Case: 2019-MM-003600	Judge D. Roberts
Facts:	The defendant was at the wheel of her Boat when she was ordered by Florida Fish and Wildlife police come to the dock, as she was violating a restricted speed zone. The officer noticed an odor of alcohol and bloodshot eyes. The defendant stated she had consumed two drinks. She then performed roadside tests on the officer's boat. She was then arrested for Boating Under the Influence. The defendant refused the breath test after her arrest.
Defense:	Bloodshot eyes can also have come from being on the water and in the sun, not just alcohol. Based on odor and bloodshot eyes, there was no reasonable suspicion of a crime (i.e. no impairment) to even request field sobriety tests to begin with. Also, when the officer did the eye test (HGN), he got an angle of onset in her eyes prior to 45 degrees. This meant that the defendant may been under the legal limit at the time of driving the boat. This is based on a theory called Tharp's Formula. The State dropped the BUI and the defendant received no conviction on her record.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Feb 18, 2020	Case: 19-CT-503983	Judge Paluck
Facts:	The defendant was found passed out and unresponsive. EMS was called and they got the defendant to regain consciousness. They then brought him into the ambulance for treatment. Police arrived on scene and noticed the defendant to have an odor of alcohol, mumbled speech, and glassy eyes. He seemed confused, clumsy, and was falling asleep. He performed poorly on the field sobriety tests and was arrested for DUI. He later refused the breath test.
Defense:	Under Florida Statute 901.15, an officer must observed all elements off a misdemeanor crime, such as a DUI. In a DUI, the officer must see the defendant behind the wheel when there is no crash. Here, no officer observed the defendant behind the wheel as he was coming out of the ambulance when police arrived. Thus, the arrest was unlawful pursuant to the above mentioned statue. The State Dropped the DUI.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Feb 12, 2020	Case: 19-CT-002783	Judge Sestak
Facts:	The defendant was found passed out at a gas pump. The defendant advised he was too drunk to drive so he pulled over. Officers noticed an odor of alcohol, glassy eyes, and he was very unsteady. The defendant advised he had been drinking alcohol all day. He refused roadside tests and was arrested for DUI. He later refused the breath test.
Defense:	On video, the officer received a cell phone call during the DUI investigation. Prior to asking the defendant to do roadsides, the officer is heard telling the caller on the cell phone, referring to the defendant, that he was "gonna snatch his ass and read him implied consent.” In other words, he already had his mind made up he was going to arrest him prior to any investigation. This was brought to the State's attention who hadn't watched the video. The State Dropped the DUI.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Feb 11, 2020	Case: 19-CT-017389	Judge Conrad
Facts:	The defendant was stopped for driving at a slow rate of speed (15 mph in a 30 mph zone). The officer noticed an odor of alcohol, slurred speech, and he swayed while he stood. The defendant was very unsteady on video and non responsive. The defendant could not perform any roadside tests due to his intoxication level. He was arrested for DUI and later refused the breath test. This was the defendant's Second DUI.
Defense:	In order to violate Florida's Statute by driving too slow, one must affect and/or impede other traffic. The firm provided case law to the State that the stop was unlawful. The State Dropped the defendant's Second DUI.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Feb 10, 2020	Case: 19-CF-009983	Judge K. Fernandez
Facts:	The defendant was the at fault driver in a traffic crash whereby he left the scene. When officers finally caught him, they observed the defendant to have slow/slurred speech, and constricted pupils. He also had blood shot eyes, swayed, and was nodding off. The officers believed he was impaired by a chemical or controlled substance. He then performed very poorly on the roadside tests and was arrested for DUI. After his arrest, officers found liquid, which they believed to be liquid hydrocodone, to which the defendant did not have a prescription. He was he was also charged with Felony possession. This was also the defendant's Second DUI.
Defense:	First, the firm was able to prove that the drug was not hydrocodone and the officers were wrong. The felony was Dismissed. Also, to convict a defendant of DUI, one has to be impaired by alcohol and/or a chemical and/or a controlled substance. Here, the State could not prove what substance (i.e. not hydrocodone) was impairing the defendant. The State Dropped the defendant's Second DUI.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Feb 10, 2020	Case: 19-021218MU10A	Judge Evans
Facts:	The defendant was stopped for both speeding and weaving. He admitted to drinking three beers and had slurred speech. In addition, the officer observed an odor of alcohol, bloodshot eyes and a flushed face. The defendant refused to perform any field sobriety tests or a breath test. A few months after this case, the defendant was arrested again on a new charge of DUI. The prosecutor filed a motion to revoke the defendant's bond and have him incarcerated. Counsel presented the video which contradicted many of the officer's conclusions.
Defense:	Rather than revoke the defendant's bond, the prosecutor agreed to drop the DUI on the first case. The second case is still pending.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.