DUI Wins

Apr 3, 2019	Case: 18-CT-001321	Judge Hill
Facts:	A caller dialed 911 stating someone was sleeping in a truck on her property. When police arrived, they found the defendant sleeping the pickup truck with engine on. The officers, upon awakening the defendant, observed an odor of alcohol, slurred speech, and she was non responsive to questions. Her eyes were bloodshot and she was very unsteady. Liquor was found in the car and she admitted to consuming a lot of alcohol. After performing poorly on field sobriety tests, she was arrested for DUI. She later refused the breath test.
Defense:	The State could not prove that the defendant was in actual physical control because she had no capability to operate the truck while sleeping. The DUI was Dismissed by the State.
Result:	The DUI was dismissed.

Apr 2, 2019	Case: 2018--CT-505068	Judge Adams
Facts:	A caller dialed the police to report that the defendant almost struck his vehicle and when he confronted him, the defendant appeared intoxicated. When police arrived, they saw the defendant pulling out and they stopped him. They observed an odor of alcohol, slurred speech, and he could not even stand up when outside the car. The defendant was unable to maintain his balance and almost fell. He denied drinking and admitted to taking prescribed medicine which were controlled substances. No roadsides were conducted for safety purposes. He was then arrested for DUI. He later refused the breath test, however, he provided a urine sample.
Defense:	The FDLE urine sample results contradicted the officer's initial conclusions.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Apr 1, 2019	Case: 2018-CT-020567	Judge Hanser
Facts:	The defendant was stopped for failure to maintain a single lane and speeding. The officer observed an odor of alcohol, extremely slurred/mumbled speech, and glassy eyes. He had a difficult time getting out of the vehicle and his reaction time was delayed. The defendant denied drinking alcohol and refused to perform any roadside tests other than HGN (eye test). He was arrested for DUI and later refused the breath test.
Defense:	The video contradicted the police reports as to the level of intoxication as written in the reports by the officer.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Mar 26, 2019	Case: 2018-CT-016920	Judge Jeske
Facts:	The defendant was stopped for weaving and speeding. The officer observed an odor of alcohol, slurred speech, and glassy eyes. He had lethargic movements and fumbled with his documents. He also admitted to taking some type of sleeping medication. After performing poorly on the field sobriety tests, he was arrested for DUI. The officer actually believed he was impaired by a chemical and/or controlled substance versus alcohol. The defendant then refused to provide a urine sample.
Defense:	Under Florida Statutes, the State must prove that the defendant was impaired by a specific chemical and/or controlled substance. Here, they could not prove the case due to the fact that the alleged sleeping medication was unknown. Thus, it was unknown by what substance actually impaired the defendant. The State Dismissed the DUI.
Result:	The DUI was dismissed.

Mar 26, 2019	Case: 2018-CT-017200	Judge Jeske
Facts:	The defendant was stopped for weaving. The officer observed an odor of alcohol, slurred speech, and bloodshot eyes. She staggered as she walked and also swayed. After performing the field sobriety tests, she was arrested for DUI. She later refused the breath test.
Defense:	The lawfulness of the traffic stop was called into question due to no danger being created by the defendant's driving pattern.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Mar 26, 2019	Case: 2018-CT-017242	Judge - Senior Judge for Judge Lefler
Facts:	The defendant was stopped for speeding and following too closely. The officer noticed an odor of alcohol and bloodshot eyes. She used the car for balance and had difficulty following instructions. After performing the roadside tests, she was arrested for DUI. After her arrest, she blew a .137 and a .135 in the breath machine.
Defense:	The defendant's performance on the roadside tests contradicted her breath test level. The video clearly showed that the defendant's breath alcohol level was lower at the time of driving.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Mar 21, 2019	Case: 2019-CT-001590	Judge Booras
Facts:	The defendant was stopped for running a red light and nearly striking numerous curbs. The officer noticed an odor of alcohol, slurred speech, and a blank stare. He also appeared shaky on his feet and had red/glossy eyes. After performing poorly on the roadside tests, he was arrested for DUI. He later blew a .140 and a .137 in the breath machine.
Defense:	On video, it was clear that there was a language barrier. The officer never even attempted to get an interpreter to translate the roadside instructions into the defendant’s native language. Thus, any mishaps were due to a language barrier, and not impairment by alcohol.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Mar 19, 2019	Case: 18-024295MU10A	Judge Gottlieb
Facts:	The defendant was stopped for having an inoperable headlight and tag light. Officers observed an odor of alcohol, slurred speech, and bloodshot/glassy eyes. The defendant also appeared unsteady. Numerous controlled substances were also found in the defendant's car. The defendant refused to perform field sobriety tests and was arrested for DUI. After his arrest, believing he was impaired by drugs and not alcohol, the police requested that he submit to a urine test. That urine test later tested positive for numerous controlled substances.
Defense:	The firm announced ready for trial. Prior to trial, the defense raised several evidentiary violations by the State. For example, the State failed to provide the urine test and expert witness list in a timely manner. On the day of trial, the State dropped the DUI.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Mar 19, 2019	Case: 18-024778MU10A	Judge Pole
Facts:	The defendant was stopped for running a red light. The officer observed an odor of alcohol, red/glassy eyes, and he fumbled with his paperwork. The police also observed a flushed face. The defendant refused to perform roadside exercises and was arrested for DUI. He later refused the breath test.
Defense:	Parks & Braxton announced ready for trial. Prior to trial, another video from the officers patrol car surfaced. Not only did it have the alleged driving pattern, but is also showed discrepancies with the officer's reports at the beginning of the traffic stop. On the day of jury trial, the State Dropped the DUI.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Mar 19, 2019	Case: 2018-CT-019216	Judge Farr
Facts:	The defendant was stopped for speeding and weaving. The officer noticed an odor of alcohol and glassy eyes. He admitted to consuming one beer. He then performed the roadside tests and was arrested for DUI. After his arrest, he blew a .119 and a .117 in the breath machine.
Defense:	The defendant's performance on the roadsides tests on videotape contradicted his breath alcohol level. It clearly showed he was absorbing alcohol and his breath level was lower at the time of driving.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Mar 19, 2019	Case: 2018-CT-019143	Judge Farr
Facts:	An anonymous caller dialed 911 stating that the defendant was swerving all over the road. When the police stopped him, they observed an odor of alcohol and bloodshot glassy eyes. The defendant was very unsteady outside the car and had a blank look. He refused roadside tests and was arrested for DUI. After his arrest, he blew a .172 and a .168 in the breath machine.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Mar 19, 2019	Case: 2018-CT-019294	Judge Farr
Facts:	The defendant was stopped for weaving. The officer noticed an odor of alcohol, bloodshot eyes, and he admitted to having consumed two drinks. He then performed poorly on the roadside tasks and was arrested for DUI. After his arrest, he blew a .123 and a .124 in the breath machine.
Defense:	The video contradicted the defendant's breath test results.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Mar 18, 2019	Case: 2018-CT-006548	Judge Green
Facts:	Officers were on an unrelated traffic stop when they observed the defendant pull up to a light on his Harley. The officer wrote that he observed the defendant slow down and seemed unable to control the bike. The defendant also had to place his feet on the ground, "ducked walked the bike, and nearly dropped the bike. Concerned, he told another officer to go stop the defendant to check his well being and see if he was impaired. Once stopped, the officers observed an odor of alcohol, mumbled speech, and bloodshot/watery eyes. He was unsteady and swayed while he stood. He admitted to drinking alcohol and his movements were slow and lethargic. He performed poorly on the field sobriety tests and was arrested for DUI. After his arrest, he blew a .116 and a .111 in the breath machine.
Defense:	Parks & Braxton filed a pretrial motion to suppress. In our motion, we alleged that the traffic stop was unlawful. At the motion hearing, we argued that there was no reasonable suspicion of a crime and no factual basis justifying any wellbeing check. The State called both officers to testify. Upon cross examination, the defense got both officers to contradict each other as well as impeach them with the police reports and the video tape of the defendant driving the bike after the light turned green. After hearing the testimony, watching the video, and reading the case law, the Judge Granted the motion and threw out all the evidence. The State subsequently Dismissed the DUI.
Result:	The DUI was dismissed.

Mar 18, 2019	Case: 2018-CT-000355AX	Judge Singer
Facts:	The defendant was stopped for straddling the center line. Once stopped, the officer noticed an odor of alcohol, slurred speech, and he handed the deputy his passport instead of his drivers license. A DUI unit was called who made similar DUI observations. The defendant then performed the roadside tests. For example, on the walk and turn, he stepped off the line and missed heel to toe. On the one leg stand, he put his foot down. He was then arrested for DUI and later refused the breath test.
Defense:	The firm announced ready for trial. Just prior to trial, the firm pointed out numerous inconsistencies in the officer's reports. For example, he wrote the defendant stepped off the line many times which was in contradiction to the video. Also, the DUI officer concluded that the defendant was intoxicated per his report before he ever even got to the scene and came in contact with the defendant. The State Dropped the DUI on the day of trial.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Mar 14, 2019	Case: 2018-CT-025559AXXX-XX	Judge Babb
Facts:	The defendant was stopped for weaving, crashing his tire up against a curb, and nearly striking another vehicle. The officer observed an odor of alcohol, bloodshot/watery eyes, and he swayed while he stood. He stated he had drank three IPA beers and also exhibited confusion. After performing the HGN (eye test), walk and turn, and one leg stand exercises, he was arrested for DUI. He later refused the breath test.
Defense:	There was no video tape or body worn camera. The defendant stated that the officer was exaggerating and not telling the truth so the firm pointed out numerous inconsistencies in the officer's reports and the vague description of the field sobriety tests to the State.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Mar 13, 2019	Case: 2018-CT-019159	Judge Mcneil
Facts:	The defendant was found passed out in his car. Upon awakening the defendant, the officer observed an odor of alcohol, slurred speech, and blood shot eyes. The defendant was unsteady and was not making sense. He performed poorly on the roadside tests and was arrested for DUI. After his arrest he refused a breath test.
Defense:	There was no reasonable suspicion of crime justifying ordering the defendant to roll down the windows upon awakening him. Thus, all the evidence would have been thrown out due to that initial illegality.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Mar 7, 2019	Case: 2018-CM-007918	Judge Vogel for Judge Lefler
Facts:	The defendant was stopped for driving in the wrong lane of travel on a divided highway. The defendant was observed to have an odor of alcohol, slurred speech, and he admitted to having drank a shot and couple of beers. After performing the HGN/VGN (eyes tests), walk and turn, and one leg stand exercises, he was arrested for DUI. He later refused a breath test. In a search incident to arrest, marijuana and paraphernalia were found and he was also charged with possession.
Defense:	The video contradicted the officers reports as to the specifics of the field sobriety tests. Prior to any trial, and after negotiations, the State Dropped the DUI and he also received no conviction on the possession charges.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Mar 5, 2019	Case: 2018-CT-016852	Judge Vogel for Judge Lefler
Facts:	The defendant was stopped for weaving all over the road. The officer noticed an odor of alcohol, glassy/watery eyes, and slurred speech. He was slow to respond to questions and was lethargic. He performed poorly on the roadside tests and was arrested for DUI. After his arrest, he blew a .136 and a .130 in the breath machine.
Defense:	The video contradicted the officer's police reports in all aspects, from the driving pattern, observations, and through his performance on the field sobriety tests.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Mar 4, 2019	Case: M18-022571	Judge Alvarez-Zane
Facts:	The defendant's boat was stopped and boarded by police after an allegation of careless boating. The defendant was the boat captain and there were at least 4 other passengers on the boat. Officers noticed the defendant to have an odor of alcohol, bloodshot eyes, and he fumbled with his items. He also was off balance and avoided eye contact. He then performed several field sobriety tests such as the palm pat, hand coordination, and finger to nose tests. According to the officer, he failed and was arrested for boating under the influence. He later refused the breath test.
Defense:	The firm listed everyone who was on the defendant's chartered boat that day. They all stated that they told the police he was not drinking at all. They all came to court and told the State he was not drinking as he was the boat captain. The officers reports were vague and contradictory. The State Dismissed the DUI.
Result:	The DUI was dismissed.

Feb 26, 2019	Case: 2018-MM-010001	Judge Herr
Facts:	A call went out about a disturbance at a bar. When police arrived, they found the defendant sitting in his car. Upon being asked to step out, they observed an odor of alcohol, slurred speech, and bloodshot eyes. He then performed poorly on the roadside tests and was arrested for DUI. After his arrest, he blew a .196 in the breath machine.
Defense:	The officers never took any steps to verify the veracity of the call prior to ordering the defendant out of the car. Thus, there was no reasonable suspicion of a crime justifying ordering him out of the car.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.