DUI Wins

Jan 9, 2019	Case: 2017-MM-001480	Judge Hamilton
Facts:	The defendant was stopped for speeding. The officer observed an odor of alcohol, watery eyes, and he was unsteady on his feet. He then performed poorly on the roadside tests. He was then arrested for DUI. After his arrest, he refused the breath test.
Defense:	The dash cam video contradicted the officer's reports as to his performance on the roadside tests and alleged level of impairment.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Jan 8, 2019	Case: 2018-CT-013429	Judge Conrad
Facts:	The defendant was stopped for swerving. The officer observed the defendant to have an odor of alcohol, slurred speech, and glassy eyes. The defendant had a hard time finding his registration and he admitted to having to drank beers. He performed poorly on the field sobriety tests and was arrested for DUI. After his arrest, he blew a .155 and a .151 in the breath machine.
Defense:	The firm pointed out to the State that the stop may be unlawful. There was no traffic that was affected by his driving and the officer did not write any specifics.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Jan 8, 2019	Case: 18-CT-503449	Judge Gagliardi
Facts:	The defendant was stopped for having a broken taillight, speeding, and driving on the wrong side of the road. The officer observed the defendant to have an odor of alcohol, bloodshot/watery eyes, and he admitted to having drank 6 beers. After performing the field sobriety tests, he was arrested for DUI. After his arrest, he blew a .11 and a .10 in the breath machine.
Defense:	After reviewing the officer's body camera, the defense observed that the officer misstated the law and coerced the defendant into performing the breath test. He advised him that he would be un-arrested and released if he blew under the legal limit. None of that had been written in his police report. This was brought to the attention of the prosecutor who agreed. Thus, with the possibility of the breath test being excluded by a defense pretrial motion, the State Dropped the DUI.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Jan 3, 2019	Case: 2018-CT-008128	Judge Shoemaker
Facts:	The defendant was stopped for weaving and speeding. Upon contact, the officer observed the defendant to have an odor of alcohol, bloodshot eyes, and dry lips. The defendant admitted to drinking and had to lean against his car. He then performed poorly on the roadside tests and was arrested for DUI.
Defense:	The firm announced ready for jury trial. A week prior to trial, the firm pointed out to the State that the defendant was a disabled vet. He had various medical issues including problems with his knees and mid-section. All of these issues contributed to his alleged poor performance on the field sobriety tests. Also, there was in car video which captured the defendant's performance on the roadside tests which the State did not produce. The defendant's speedy trial rights were not waived. The State Dismissed the DUI.
Result:	The DUI was dismissed.

Dec 18, 2018	Case: 2018-CT-010701	Judge Farr
Facts:	The defendant was stopped for weaving. The officer noticed an odor of alcohol, glazed eyes, and lethargic movements. He also swayed while he stood. He performed poorly on the roadside tests and was arrested for DUI. After his arrest, he blew a .174 and a .172 in the breath machine.
Defense:	The specifics of the weaving were not detailed. Since no one knew the distance traveled, how many times he weaved, or the time frame, the lawfulness of the stop was called into question.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Dec 12, 2018	Case: 2018-CT-001775	Judge Mcgarity
Facts:	The police were called after a homeowner heard noises coming from her bushes. Police responded and noticed the defendant driving a golf cart in the immediate vicinity. Upon contact, the officer noticed the defendant to have an odor of alcohol, slurred speech, and he admitted to having drank beers. He then performed the roadside tasks. He performed very poorly according to the officer's reports and he was arrested for DUI. This was the defendant's Third DUI arrest.
Defense:	Roadside tests are supposed to be conducted in a well lit area per the NHTSA regulations. Here, on video, they were conducted in a pitch black area. No one could even see how the defendant actually performed. The DUI was dismissed.
Result:	The DUI was dismissed.

Dec 12, 2018	Case: A96L8TE	Judge Riba
Facts:	An anonymous caller dialed 911 stating that he heard a female yelling at her male passenger to get out of her car. Police responded and made contact with the defendant who was in the driver's seat. They observed her to have an odor of alcohol, slurred speech, and she had a blank/dazed stare. She also had bloodshot eyes and swayed while she stood. She failed all the field sobriety tests and was arrested for DUI. After her arrest, she blew a .143 and a .144 in the breath machine.
Defense:	Parks & Braxton filed a pretrial motion to suppress. In our motion, we alleged that there was no lawful basis to initially seize and stop the defendant. Here the officer ordered the defendant to unlawfully roll down her windows and then turn off the car without any reasonable suspicion of a crime. Prior to the motion hearing, the State agreed with our legal position and Dropped the DUI.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Dec 10, 2018	Case: AAB71JE	Judge Bedinghaus
Facts:	The defendant was stopped for speeding. The officer observed the defendant to have an odor of marijuana coming from the car and his breath, bloodshot eyes, eyelid tremors and dilated pupils. He had slow reactions, laughing at times, and an inability to focus. He then performed field sobriety tests on tape and was arrested for DUI.
Defense:	The defendant's video contradicted all the observations that the officer had written about in regards to his level of impairment. Further, the State could not prove that the defendant had consumed the marijuana the day in question, as it stays in your system for up to thirty days.
Result:	The DUI was dismissed.

Dec 7, 2018	Case: 2018-CT-010831	Judge Panse
Facts:	The defendant was stopped for weaving. The officer observed the defendant to have an odor of alcohol, slurred/slow speech, and he swayed as he stood. He performed poorly on the field sobriety tests and was arrested for DUI. He later blew a .177 and a .176 in the breath machine.
Defense:	For some unexplained reason, the defendant's roadside tests were not captured on tape even though the driving pattern was recorded. Prior to any motion to dismiss for destruction of evidence being filed by the firm, the State Dropped the DUI.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Dec 7, 2018	Case: 2018-CT-011734	Judge Harper
Facts:	The defendant was stopped for stopping over the stop bar at a red light. The officer observed an odor of alcohol, slow speech, and he admitted to having drank beers. He stumbled and staggered while outside the vehicle. He did not perform to standards on the roadside tests and was arrested for DUI. He later blew a .194 and a .184 in the breath machine.
Defense:	The firm was able to point out many characteristics that would have caused the defendant to have messed up the field sobriety tests, such as his age and numerous injuries.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Dec 7, 2018	Case: 2018-CT-012349	Judge Shepherd
Facts:	The defendant was stopped for swerving. The officer noticed the defendant to have an odor of alcohol, red bloodshot eyes, and there were partially consumed beers in the vehicle. He performed very poorly on the field sobriety tests and was arrested for DUI. He later refused the breath test.
Defense:	The firm pointed out to the State that any mishaps on the field sobriety tests were due to a language barrier between the defendant and the officer.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Dec 5, 2018	Case: 18-CT-009730	Judge Myers
Facts:	The defendant was stopped because her passenger was hanging out of the window sitting on the door frame. The defendant was slow to stop her car, had an odor of alcohol, slurred speech, and red eyes. The defendant stated she had drank "a little bit." According to the officer, she failed the field sobriety tests and was arrested for DUI.
Defense:	On video, it was clear that the officer had the defendant doing to roadside tests on a slope. Per NHTSA requirements, the tests are supposed to be conducted on a level area. Here, the officer administered them in violation of the NHTSA requirements.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Dec 5, 2018	Case: 17-CT-017803	Judge Shepherd
Facts:	The defendant was stopped for passing two cars and crossing over the double yellow lane markers into oncoming traffic. The officer observed the defendant to have an odor of alcohol, rapid/stuttered speech, and red/glassy eyes. He admitted to having consumed two beers and had an orbital sway. He then performed the field sobriety tests. For example, he mixed up the letters while stating the alphabet. On the walk and turn, he stepped off the line, took an incorrect number of steps and walked normal instead of heel to toe as instructed. On the one leg stand, he put his foot down and swayed. He was arrested for DUI and later refused the breath test.
Defense:	At trial, during cross examination, the firm was able to get the officer to state that he had no independent recollection of any specific facts without referring to his reports. The firm also got the officer to admit on the stand that he didn't even know the actual DUI law, that one's normal faculties have to be impaired. The officer testified that the law as he understood it was that it is illegal to simply drink and drive. Also, on cross examination, firm got the officer to admit that he incorrectly instructed the defendant on the walk and turn. In the middle of cross examination, as the officer's credibility was being called into question and a recess was taken. The State then Dropped the DUI in the middle of trial and the defendant received no conviction on his record.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Dec 3, 2018	Case: 18-CT-001418	Judge Caraballo
Facts:	The defendant was the at fault driver in a rear end crash. When officers arrived, the defendant had already been transported to the hospital. There, they noticed the defendant to have an odor of alcohol, slurred speech, and bloodshot eyes. She also appeared confused and admitted to having drank vodka. The police asked for a blood sample and she refused. She was then charged with DUI.
Defense:	In order to ask for blood, one exception is that the breath test must be impracticable and/or impossible. Here, there was no showing as to any time frame as to how long the defendant was going to be released to get her to the station or jail for a breath test. Thus, the police had no lawful right to request a blood test and the defendant's refusal would have been inadmissible.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Nov 30, 2018	Case: 2018-CT-009117	Judge Eissey
Facts:	Police were notified after a Duffy's employee notified them that there was an intoxicated male leaving the establishment who had just fallen and hit his head. Police located the defendant who was the person in question and stopped his vehicle. The officer noticed an odor of alcohol, slurred speech, and bloodshot eyes. He admitted to having drank wine. He performed very poorly on roadside tests and was arrested for DUI. He later refused the breath test.
Defense:	In order to stop a vehicle based on a tip such as the one in question, there must be other specific facts from the caller other than a simple conclusory statement such as an "intoxicated male." Thus, the lawfulness of the stop was called into question.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Nov 29, 2018	Case: 2018-CT-028475	Judge Babb
Facts:	The defendant was stopped for running a red light and weaving. The officer observed an odor of alcohol, red eyes, and the defendant admitted to having drank two beers. The defendant then performed the field sobriety tests which were not videotaped. According to the officer, he performed poorly and was arrested for DUI. He later refused the breath test.
Defense:	Just prior to trial, the defense presented evidence to the State about the defendant's prior injuries to his knees. He had surgeries and had titanium in one leg. This evidence showed that any balance issues that the defendant had on the field sobriety tests could have been as easily due to his injuries versus alcohol.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Nov 13, 2018	Case: 15-14807MU10A	Judge Carpenter-Toye
Facts:	The defendant was stopped after he was observed driving into the middle of an intersection which had a red light. The officer observed him to have an odor of alcohol, bloodshot/red eyes, and he admitted to having consumed three vodka and cranberry cocktails. He performed very poorly on the field sobriety tests. For example, on the one leg stand, he put his foot down numerous times, swayed, and counted incorrectly. On the walk and turn, he missed heel to toe, stepped off the line, and took an incorrect number of steps. He was then arrested for DUI. He later refused the breath test.
Defense:	Parks & Braxton filed a pretrial motion to suppress the field sobriety tests. In our motion, we alleged that the defendant was "coerced" into performing the otherwise voluntary tests. The Judge granted the motion and excluded all the roadsides from evidence. The State then appealed, however, the firm defended the Judge's ruling and won on appeal. The State then Dropped the DUI and the defendant received no conviction on his record.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Nov 13, 2018	Case: 18-CT-502448	Judge M. Gonzalez
Facts:	The defendant was stopped after he ran a stop sign causing other traffic to have to brake to avoid a crash. The officer observed an odor of alcohol, bloodshot eyes, and he stated that he had "drank a few at home." The defendant's speech was mumbled, he swayed, and he used the car door for balance. He then performed very poorly on the roadside tests. For example, on the walk and turn, he stepped off the line, took an incorrect number of steps, and did not touch heel to toe. He was arrested for DUI and later refused the breath test.
Defense:	A defendant can not be coerced into performing field sobriety exercises which are voluntary and not lawfully required by statute. Here, the officer made it clear to the defendant that if he did not perform the roadside tasks, he would be immediately arrested. This was pointed out to the State by the firm. The State agreed that the roadsides would have been excluded from evidence and Dropped the DUI.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Nov 8, 2018	Case: Lefler	Judge 18-CT-5271
Facts:	The defendant was the at fault driver in a rear end crash. When the officer arrived, he observed the defendant to have an odor of alcohol, glassy eyes, and slurred speech. The defendant admitted to having drank two beers and he let the officer perform the HGN (eye test) on him. He refused to perform all other field sobriety tests and was arrested for DUI. He later refused the breath test.
Defense:	The firm pointed out that the officer's reports contradicted each other. For example, in one report he wrote that he observed slurred speech versus the other whereby he failed to check the slurred speech box.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Nov 8, 2018	Case: 18-CT-6782	Judge Lefler
Facts:	The defendant was stopped for running a stop sign and speeding. Upon contact, the officer noticed the defendant to have an odor of alcohol, slurred speech, and bloodshot eyes. The defendant used the door for balance, swayed as he stood, and he admitted to having drank 5 beers. According to the officer, he performed poorly on the roadside tests and was arrested for DUI. This was the defendant's Second DUI arrest.
Defense:	The video contradicted the officer's written reports. For example, on the videotape, the defendant's speech was not slurred and he was not off balance. The high level of impairment on the field sobriety tests that he wrote about did not equate to the defendant's performance on the video tape.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.