Fort Myers DUI Lawyers | Parks & Braxton, PA 239-217-3723

OUR RECENT VICTORIES

Nov 2, 2023 Case: AH5O1YE Judge Lawhorne
Facts: The defendant was stopped on his motorcycle for making a right turn on red in violation of a no turn on red sign. The officer noticed an odor of alcohol, bloodshot/glassy eyes, and slurred/mumbling speech. He staggered, swayed, and appeared unsteady. The defendant stated he had drank one Bud Light 16 ounce beer. He performed poorly on various field sobriety tests such as the one leg stand, estimation of time, and finger to nose. He was then arrested for DUI. This was the defendant's Fourth DUI.
Defense: The firm provided the State with various medical records from the defendant. We pointed out that his speech was so slurred because he had suffered from throat cancer and that his why his speech sounded like it did. In addition, he had various back and knee problems causing him to appear very unsteady and off balance. He tried telling the officer all of this on tape. After several conversations the State regarding the evidence and the defendant's medical history, the State Dropped his Fourth DUI.
Result: The State dropped the DUI.
Oct 31, 2023 Case: 23-CT-006253 Judge Conrad
Facts: The defendant was found by police sitting in his running car while stuck on the railroad tracks. Officers observed an odor of alcohol, slurred/rambling speech, and bloodshot/glassy eyes. The defendant performed very poorly on roadside tests and was arrested for DUI. He later refused a breath test.
Defense: Many observations written in the police reports were over exaggerated as compared to the video tape evidence. After conversations with the State, they agreed and Dropped the DUI.
Result: The State dropped the DUI.
Oct 31, 2023 Case: 23-CT-006253 Judge Conrad
Facts: The defendant was found by police sitting in his running car while stuck on the railroad tracks. Officers observed an odor of alcohol, slurred/rambling speech, and bloodshot/glassy eyes. The defendant performed very poorly on roadside tests and was arrested for DUI. He later refused a breath test.
Defense: Many observations written in the police reports were over exaggerated as compared to the video tape evidence. After conversations with the State, they agreed and Dropped the DUI.
Result: The State dropped the DUI.
Oct 30, 2023 Case: 23-CT-001824-O Judge Amy Carter
Facts: The defendant lost control of his car and crashed into multiple parked vehicles. When the officers arrived, they noticed an odor of alcohol, bloodshot eyes, and slurred speech. He staggered while walking, appeared very unstable, and would stumble around. There was also feces in his pants. He refused to perform field sobriety tests and was arrested for DUI. He later blew a .174 and .172 in the breath machine.
Defense: Parks & Braxton filed a pretrial motion to suppress the breath test results. In our motion, we alleged that the defendant was coerced and misled into taking a breath test. The defendant is from Texas and had a Texas driver's License. On tape, at the breath testing facility, the officers were leading him to believe that if he refused a breath test, his license would also be suspended in Texas and that Florida's implied consent law also applied to Texas. That was misinformation. Based on that misinformation, he agreed to take the breath test. In addition, on tape, his speech was not slurred and he never staggered or appeared off balance. The Judge Granted the motion and suppressed (excluded) the breath test results from evidence. The firm then announced ready for trial. A few days before the trial date, the State Agreed to Drop the DUI.
Result: The State dropped the DUI.
Oct 30, 2023 Case: 23-CT-001824-O Judge Amy Carter
Facts: The defendant lost control of his car and crashed into multiple parked vehicles. When the officers arrived, they noticed an odor of alcohol, bloodshot eyes, and slurred speech. He staggered while walking, appeared very unstable, and would stumble around. There was also feces in his pants. He refused to perform field sobriety tests and was arrested for DUI. He later blew a .174 and .172 in the breath machine.
Defense: Parks & Braxton filed a pretrial motion to suppress the breath test results. In our motion, we alleged that the defendant was coerced and misled into taking a breath test. The defendant is from Texas and had a Texas driver's License. On tape, at the breath testing facility, the officers were leading him to believe that if he refused a breath test, his license would also be suspended in Texas and that Florida's implied consent law also applied to Texas. That was misinformation. Based on that misinformation, he agreed to take the breath test. In addition, on tape, his speech was not slurred and he never staggered or appeared off balance. The Judge Granted the motion and suppressed (excluded) the breath test results from evidence. The firm then announced ready for trial. A few days before the trial date, the State Agreed to Drop the DUI.
Result: The State dropped the DUI.
Oct 25, 2023 Case: AGP2DJE Judge Komninos
Facts: The defendant was stopped for running a red light. The officer noticed an odor of alcohol, glassy/watery eyes, and a flushed face. The defendant exhibited poor ability to understand and he had a sway to his stance. The defendant denied drinking any alcohol. He then performed various roadside tests and was arrested for DUI. He later refused a breath test.
Defense: After conversations with the State regarding the evidence and the defendant, the State Dropped the DUI.
Result: The State dropped the DUI.
Oct 25, 2023 Case: AGP09EE Judge Komninos
Facts: The defendant was stopped for speeding. The officer noticed an odor of alcohol, bloodshot eyes, a sway, and he was emotional. The defendant denied drinking but admitted to smoking pot earlier in the evening. He then performed poorly on roadside tests and was arrested for DUI. He later blew a .135 and .134 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.
Oct 25, 2023 Case: AGP09EE Judge Komninos
Facts: The defendant was stopped for speeding. The officer noticed an odor of alcohol, bloodshot eyes, a sway, and he was emotional. The defendant denied drinking but admitted to smoking pot earlier in the evening. He then performed poorly on roadside tests and was arrested for DUI. He later blew a .135 and .134 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.
Oct 25, 2023 Case: AGP2DJE Judge Komninos
Facts: The defendant was stopped for running a red light. The officer noticed an odor of alcohol, glassy/watery eyes, and a flushed face. The defendant exhibited poor ability to understand and he had a sway to his stance. The defendant denied drinking any alcohol. He then performed various roadside tests and was arrested for DUI. He later refused a breath test.
Defense: After conversations with the State regarding the evidence and the defendant, the State Dropped the DUI.
Result: The State dropped the DUI.
Oct 24, 2023 Case: 22-CT-502875 Judge Gagliardi
Facts: The defendant was the at fault driver in a multi vehicle crash. When officers arrived, they noticed an odor of alcohol, unsteadiness on his feet, and he admitted to drinking some beer and cocktails. His speech was mumbled and not understandable and his eyes were red and watery. He refused to perform roadside tests and also refused a breath test. He was then arrested for DUI.
Defense: The firm filed two pretrial motions. The first was to exclude the refusal to perform field sobriety tests. Under Florida law, an officer must advise a defendant of any adverse consequences for refusing. Here, none were given, and the Judge granted our motion excluding the refusal to perform roadside tests. We also filed a motion to exclude the refusal to provide a breath sample. Under Florida law, a breath test can only be requested after a lawful arrest. Here, the officer requested a breath test prior to arrest. The Judge also granted that motion excluding his breath test refusal. The firm announced ready for trial and the State Dropped the DUI.
Result: The State dropped the DUI.
Oct 24, 2023 Case: 22-CT-502241 Judge Gagliardi
Facts: Police were called to an apartment complex regarding the defendant being passed out in his car. The caller also advised there were several beer cans located in the car. When police arrived, they awoke the defendant, identified themselves as police and made verbal requests to exit the car. The defendant responded by saying "go fuck yourselves." Once the defendant was extricated from the car, the officers observed an odor of alcohol, a flushed face, bloodshot eyes, and stuttered/slurred speech. The defendant was then asked to perform field sobriety tests and responded by saying "fuck you, I am a veteran." He was then arrested for DUI and later refused a breath test. This was the defendant's Second DUI.
Defense: The firm filed a pretrial motion to suppress all the evidence based on an illegal search and seizure. In our motion, we alleged that the officers unlawfully ordered the defendant to exit his car without any reasonable suspicion of a crime (i.e. DUI observations). Those DUI observations were not made until after the defendant was unlawfully extricated out of the car for no reason other than sleeping. It should also be noted, this is the same complex where the defendant resides. The Judge granted the motion and threw out all of the evidence. The State Dismissed the defendant's Second DUI.
Result: The DUI was dismissed.
Oct 24, 2023 Case: 22-CT-502875 Judge Gagliardi
Facts: The defendant was the at fault driver in a multi vehicle crash. When officers arrived, they noticed an odor of alcohol, unsteadiness on his feet, and he admitted to drinking some beer and cocktails. His speech was mumbled and not understandable and his eyes were red and watery. He refused to perform roadside tests and also refused a breath test. He was then arrested for DUI.
Defense: The firm filed two pretrial motions. The first was to exclude the refusal to perform field sobriety tests. Under Florida law, an officer must advise a defendant of any adverse consequences for refusing. Here, none were given, and the Judge granted our motion excluding the refusal to perform roadside tests. We also filed a motion to exclude the refusal to provide a breath sample. Under Florida law, a breath test can only be requested after a lawful arrest. Here, the officer requested a breath test prior to arrest. The Judge also granted that motion excluding his breath test refusal. The firm announced ready for trial and the State Dropped the DUI.
Result: The State dropped the DUI.
Oct 24, 2023 Case: 22-CT-502241 Judge Gagliardi
Facts: Police were called to an apartment complex regarding the defendant being passed out in his car. The caller also advised there were several beer cans located in the car. When police arrived, they awoke the defendant, identified themselves as police and made verbal requests to exit the car. The defendant responded by saying "go fuck yourselves." Once the defendant was extricated from the car, the officers observed an odor of alcohol, a flushed face, bloodshot eyes, and stuttered/slurred speech. The defendant was then asked to perform field sobriety tests and responded by saying "fuck you, I am a veteran." He was then arrested for DUI and later refused a breath test. This was the defendant's Second DUI.
Defense: The firm filed a pretrial motion to suppress all the evidence based on an illegal search and seizure. In our motion, we alleged that the officers unlawfully ordered the defendant to exit his car without any reasonable suspicion of a crime (i.e. DUI observations). Those DUI observations were not made until after the defendant was unlawfully extricated out of the car for no reason other than sleeping. It should also be noted, this is the same complex where the defendant resides. The Judge granted the motion and threw out all of the evidence. The State Dismissed the defendant's Second DUI.
Result: The DUI was dismissed.
Oct 19, 2023 Case: AH5PQQE Judge Hessinger
Facts: The defendant was stopped for speeding and failing to maintain a single lane. The officer noticed an odor an alcohol, very slurred speech, and glassy eyes. She stumbled while exiting the car and swayed while standing. She only agreed to perform HGN (eye test), argued with the police, and was then arrested for DUI. The defendant was also charged with resisting an officer without violence because she would not listen to the police at the breath testing center. In addition, she was charged with Felony Bribery because she told the police she would pay them to take the cuffs off. Furthermore, she was also charged with Felony battery on a law enforcement officer because she allegedly struck an officer in the chest at the breath testing center. She later refused a breath test.
Defense: After conversations with the State regarding the evidence and the defendant, the State Dismissed the two felony charges and Dropped the DUI. She also received no conviction on the resisting charge.
Result: The State dropped the DUI.
Oct 19, 2023 Case: AH5PQQE Judge Hessinger
Facts: The defendant was stopped for speeding and failing to maintain a single lane. The officer noticed an odor an alcohol, very slurred speech, and glassy eyes. She stumbled while exiting the car and swayed while standing. She only agreed to perform HGN (eye test), argued with the police, and was then arrested for DUI. The defendant was also charged with resisting an officer without violence because she would not listen to the police at the breath testing center. In addition, she was charged with Felony Bribery because she told the police she would pay them to take the cuffs off. Furthermore, she was also charged with Felony battery on a law enforcement officer because she allegedly struck an officer in the chest at the breath testing center. She later refused a breath test.
Defense: After conversations with the State regarding the evidence and the defendant, the State Dismissed the two felony charges and Dropped the DUI. She also received no conviction on the resisting charge.
Result: The State dropped the DUI.
Oct 18, 2023 Case: 23-CT-038491 Judge Ingram
Facts: Police were called out to a disturbance. Upon contact with the defendant, he appeared very intoxicated. The officer noticed an odor of alcohol, a flushed face, watery eyes, and he was swaying. His movements were also very slow. The officer told him not to drive and go home. The defendant did not listen and then walked to his car, opened the driver's door and attempted to get in the driver's seat. The officer saw this and yelled at him to stop. The defendant was then detained. He then performed very poorly on the roadside tests and was arrested for DUI. He later refused a breath test.
Defense: The firm pointed out to the State that on the body worn cameras you could see the defendant open the door but he never actually got into the driver's seat. Thus, he could not have been in actual physical control and never should have been arrested for DUI. The State agreed and amended the charge to a Failure to Obey an Officer's Command.
Result: The State dropped the DUI.
Oct 18, 2023 Case: 23-CT-003889 Judge Taylor
Facts: The defendant was stopped for speeding. The officer noticed an odor of alcohol, bloodshot eyes, and slurred speech. 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 and later blew a .146 and .142 in the breath machine.
Defense: After conversations with the State regarding the evidence and the defendant, they Dropped the DUI.
Result: The State dropped the DUI.
Oct 18, 2023 Case: 23-CT-038491 Judge Ingram
Facts: Police were called out to a disturbance. Upon contact with the defendant, he appeared very intoxicated. The officer noticed an odor of alcohol, a flushed face, watery eyes, and he was swaying. His movements were also very slow. The officer told him not to drive and go home. The defendant did not listen and then walked to his car, opened the driver's door and attempted to get in the driver's seat. The officer saw this and yelled at him to stop. The defendant was then detained. He then performed very poorly on the roadside tests and was arrested for DUI. He later refused a breath test.
Defense: The firm pointed out to the State that on the body worn cameras you could see the defendant open the door but he never actually got into the driver's seat. Thus, he could not have been in actual physical control and never should have been arrested for DUI. The State agreed and amended the charge to a Failure to Obey an Officer's Command.
Result: The State dropped the DUI.
Oct 18, 2023 Case: 23-CT-003889 Judge Taylor
Facts: The defendant was stopped for speeding. The officer noticed an odor of alcohol, bloodshot eyes, and slurred speech. 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 and later blew a .146 and .142 in the breath machine.
Defense: After conversations with the State regarding the evidence and the defendant, they Dropped the DUI.
Result: The State dropped the DUI.
Oct 17, 2023 Case: 23-CT-004892 Judge Gutman
Facts: The defendant was stopped for driving with no lights on. The officer noticed an odor of alcohol, glassy eyes, and an unsteady stance. He also had a wristband on from a club. Due to some physical injuries, he performed a seated battery of field sobriety tests such as a finger to nose while seated, a palm pat, and HGN (eye test). He was then arrested for DUI and later refused a breath test.
Defense: Many observations written in the police reports about the specifics of the field sobriety tests were contradicted by the video tape. He was also not unsteady on tape and his speech was normal as well.
Result: The State dropped the DUI.
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