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

OUR RECENT VICTORIES

Aug 10, 2022 Case: 22-CT-003255 Judge Jeske
Facts: The defendant was stopped for speeding and weaving. The officer noticed an odor of alcohol, bloodshot eyes, and a flushed face. He also had clumsy movements, swayed, and was unsteady on his feet. After performing various field sobriety tests such as the walk and turn and one leg stand, he was arrested for DUI. He later blew a .114 and .111 in the breath machine.
Defense: Although the defendant blew just over the legal limit, his video performance of the field sobriety tests showed he may have been lower than .08 at the time of driving. In other words, he was on the rise and absorbing alcohol at the time he blew into the machine. Due to the conflict, the State Dropped the DUI.
Result: The State dropped the DUI.
Aug 10, 2022 Case: 22-CT-000309 Judge Farr
Facts: The defendant was found by police slumped over the wheel in her car blocking the entrance to a residential complex. A child was also in the car. No odor of alcohol was detected, but the officer noticed glassy eyes, very slurred speech, a sway to her stance, and she appeared to keep closing her eyes like she was falling asleep. She also appeared disoriented and confused. Believing she was impaired by drugs, she then performed roadside tests. She performed very poorly and was arrested for DUI. She provided a urine sample which after testing by FDLE revealed numerous controlled substances.
Defense: During negotiations with the State, we pointed out that circumstances surrounding the initial contact with the defendant were an unlawful search and seizure.
Result: The State dropped the DUI.
Aug 10, 2022 Case: 22-CT-001299 Judge Farr
Facts: The defendant crashed his car into a tree and entered back on the road. His vehicle then skid into a Ford truck which then crashed through a garage door. Officers noticed the defendant to have an odor of alcohol, glassy eyes, and stated he had drank an old fashioned cocktail. After performing various field sobriety tests, he was arrested for DUI. He later refused the breath test.
Defense: The firm pointed out to the State that on video the officer had the defendant perform the walk and turn and one leg stand in a windstorm. The wind was so strong that one could see things blowing all over. Due to the lack of fairness shown to the defendant considering the roadside test conditions, the State Dropped the DUI.
Result: The State dropped the DUI.
Aug 9, 2022 Case: 22-CT-016347 Judge Babb
Facts: The defendant was stopped for speeding. The officer noticed an odor of alcohol, slow speech, and glassy eyes, He also fumbled with his wallet and admitted to having drank one beer. He then performed the HGN (eye test) , one leg stand, and walk and turn exercises. He was then arrested for DUI and later blew a .142 and .149 in the breath machine.
Defense: After speaking with the State regarding the evidence, the State Dropped the DUI.
Result: The State dropped the DUI.
Aug 9, 2022 Case: 21-CT-027652 Judge Baker
Facts: The defendant crashed his car into a utility pole. When officers arrived, they noticed an odor of alcohol, a flushed face, and slurred/mumbled speech. He also had blood/shot watery eyes and was argumentative. The defendant was asked to perform roadside tests and he refused. He was then arrested for DUI and later refused the breath test. This was the defendant's Third DUI.
Defense: When a defendant refuses to perform field sobriety tests, the officer must advise the defendant of adverse consequences if they do refuse. Here, the officer did not, so the refusal to do roadside tests would have been excluded from evidence. In addition, an officer cannot request a breath test until after one is arrested per Florida Statutes. Here, the officer not only requested a breath test prior to arrest, but also read implied consent telling him he would lose his license. Thus, the defendant's refusal to provide a breath sample would have been excluded from evidence. The State Dropped the defendant's' Third DUI.
Result: The State dropped the DUI.
Aug 9, 2022 Case: 22-CT-001531 Judge Herr
Facts: The defendant was stopped for an expired tag. The officer observed an odor of alcohol, slurred speech, and bloodshot eyes. The defendant then performed various field sobriety tests and was arrested for DUI. He later blew a .198 and .188 in the breath machine.
Defense: After several conversations with the prosecutor about conflicts in the evidence, the State Dropped the DUI.
Result: The State dropped the DUI.
Aug 9, 2022 Case: AEBMRGE Judge Lawhorne
Facts: The defendant was stopped for running a red light. The officer noticed an odor of alcohol, slurred speech, and bloodshot eyes. He also had a sway to his stance, admitted to consuming two glasses of wine, and also staggered. After performing various roadside tests, he was arrested for DUI. He later blew a .129 and .127 in the breath machine.
Defense: After several negotiations with the State regarding the evidence and the defendant himself, the State Dropped the DUI.
Result: The State dropped the DUI.
Aug 9, 2022 Case: 22-CT-016347 Judge Babb
Facts: The defendant was stopped for speeding. The officer noticed an odor of alcohol, slow speech, and glassy eyes, He also fumbled with his wallet and admitted to having drank one beer. He then performed the HGN (eye test) , one leg stand, and walk and turn exercises. He was then arrested for DUI and later blew a .142 and .149 in the breath machine.
Defense: After speaking with the State regarding the evidence, the State Dropped the DUI.
Result: The State dropped the DUI.
Aug 9, 2022 Case: 22-CT-001531 Judge Herr
Facts: The defendant was stopped for an expired tag. The officer observed an odor of alcohol, slurred speech, and bloodshot eyes. The defendant then performed various field sobriety tests and was arrested for DUI. He later blew a .198 and .188 in the breath machine.
Defense: After several conversations with the prosecutor about conflicts in the evidence, the State Dropped the DUI.
Result: The State dropped the DUI.
Aug 9, 2022 Case: AEBMRGE Judge Lawhorne
Facts: The defendant was stopped for running a red light. The officer noticed an odor of alcohol, slurred speech, and bloodshot eyes. He also had a sway to his stance, admitted to consuming two glasses of wine, and also staggered. After performing various roadside tests, he was arrested for DUI. He later blew a .129 and .127 in the breath machine.
Defense: After several negotiations with the State regarding the evidence and the defendant himself, the State Dropped the DUI.
Result: The State dropped the DUI.
Aug 9, 2022 Case: 21-CT-027652 Judge Baker
Facts: The defendant crashed his car into a utility pole. When officers arrived, they noticed an odor of alcohol, a flushed face, and slurred/mumbled speech. He also had blood/shot watery eyes and was argumentative. The defendant was asked to perform roadside tests and he refused. He was then arrested for DUI and later refused the breath test. This was the defendant's Third DUI.
Defense: When a defendant refuses to perform field sobriety tests, the officer must advise the defendant of adverse consequences if they do refuse. Here, the officer did not, so the refusal to do roadside tests would have been excluded from evidence. In addition, an officer cannot request a breath test until after one is arrested per Florida Statutes. Here, the officer not only requested a breath test prior to arrest, but also read implied consent telling him he would lose his license. Thus, the defendant's refusal to provide a breath sample would have been excluded from evidence. The State Dropped the defendant's' Third DUI.
Result: The State dropped the DUI.
Aug 4, 2022 Case: 21008658MU10A Judge Carpenter-Toye
Facts: The defendant drove his car through a concrete barrier, plunging 30 feet below the highway exit ramp. Both the defendant and the passenger were transported to the hospital. While the defendant was being treated for injuries a Trooper entered the room. The Trooper observed a strong odor of alcohol, bloodshot eyes as well as extremely slurred speech. A medical blood draw was conducted, and the prosecutor made efforts to acquire the blood results.
Defense: Parks & Braxton filed an objection to the State's request to obtain the defendant's medical records. Specifically, all of the indicators of impairment that the Trooper observed were made in the defendant's hospital room. The firm argued that the Trooper violated the defendant's 4th Amendment right to privacy when he entered his hospital room. Specifically, the firm successfully argued that an individual in a hospital has a reasonable expectation of privacy. As a result, the Court denied the State's request to obtain the defendant's private medical records and blood results. In addition, counsel filed a separate motion to suppress to exclude all of the observations that the Trooper made. The State conceded the motion.
Result: The State dropped the DUI.
Aug 4, 2022 Case: 21008658MU10A Judge Carpenter-Toye
Facts: The defendant drove his car through a concrete barrier, plunging 30 feet below the highway exit ramp. Both the defendant and the passenger were transported to the hospital. While the defendant was being treated for injuries a Trooper entered the room. The Trooper observed a strong odor of alcohol, bloodshot eyes as well as extremely slurred speech. A medical blood draw was conducted, and the prosecutor made efforts to acquire the blood results.
Defense: Parks & Braxton filed an objection to the State's request to obtain the defendant's medical records. Specifically, all of the indicators of impairment that the Trooper observed were made in the defendant's hospital room. The firm argued that the Trooper violated the defendant's 4th Amendment right to privacy when he entered his hospital room. Specifically, the firm successfully argued that an individual in a hospital has a reasonable expectation of privacy. As a result, the Court denied the State's request to obtain the defendant's private medical records and blood results. In addition, counsel filed a separate motion to suppress to exclude all of the observations that the Trooper made. The State conceded the motion.
Result: The State dropped the DUI.
Aug 3, 2022 Case: 22-CT-001975 Judge Jeske
Facts: The defendant was stopped for having no functioning tail lights. The officer smelled marijuana coming from the car and his person. He also observed bloodshot/glassy eyes, and slurred speech. He admitted to having smoked pot 15 minutes before driving. The defendant had body tremors as well. According to officer, he failed the roadside tests and was arrested for DUI. He later provided a urine sample which was tested by FDLE and was positive for marijuana.
Defense: The firm pointed out that there was no probable cause to arrest the defendant for DUI. The State agreed and Dropped the DUI. The defendant received no conviction and no penalties other than court costs.
Result: The State dropped the DUI.
Aug 3, 2022 Case: 22-CT-001975 Judge Jeske
Facts: The defendant was stopped for having no functioning tail lights. The officer smelled marijuana coming from the car and his person. He also observed bloodshot/glassy eyes, and slurred speech. He admitted to having smoked pot 15 minutes before driving. The defendant had body tremors as well. According to officer, he failed the roadside tests and was arrested for DUI. He later provided a urine sample which was tested by FDLE and was positive for marijuana.
Defense: The firm pointed out that there was no probable cause to arrest the defendant for DUI. The State agreed and Dropped the DUI. The defendant received no conviction and no penalties other than court costs.
Result: The State dropped the DUI.
Aug 2, 2022 Case: 22-CT-002779 Judge Bigney
Facts: The defendant was the at fault driver in a rear end crash. The officer noticed an odor of alcohol, glossy eyes, and his speech was slurred. He performed very poorly on roadside tests and was arrested for DUI. He later refused the breath test. This was the defendant's Second DUI and he also was charged with the crime of refusing a breath test for the second time.
Defense: The firm announced ready for trial. Due to various discovery issues pertaining to the charges, the defendant's charges were Dismissed on the day of trial.
Result: The DUI was dismissed.
Aug 2, 2022 Case: 22-CT-002779 Judge Bigney
Facts: The defendant was the at fault driver in a rear end crash. The officer noticed an odor of alcohol, glossy eyes, and his speech was slurred. He performed very poorly on roadside tests and was arrested for DUI. He later refused the breath test. This was the defendant's Second DUI and he also was charged with the crime of refusing a breath test for the second time.
Defense: The firm announced ready for trial. Due to various discovery issues pertaining to the charges, the defendant's charges were Dismissed on the day of trial.
Result: The DUI was dismissed.
Aug 1, 2022 Case: 21-017995MU10A Judge Carpenter-Toye
Facts: The defendant was involved in a multi vehicle crash. Multiple civilian witnesses stated that the defendant was driving at a high rate of speed and collided with the vehicle in front of him. The officer noticed a strong odor of alcohol and bloodshot eyes. Upon speaking with the defendant, the officer stated that he did know which county he was in. The defendant admitted to drinking a couple of margaritas for Taco Tuesday. The defendant was asked to perform a series of field sobriety tests, including the walk and turn and one leg stand. The defendant performed poorly and was arrested for DUI. The defendant subsequently blew a .157 and .164 in the intoxilyzer.
Defense: Parks & Braxton filed a motion to suppress alleging that the defendant was unlawfully arrested. Specifically, the only individuals who observed the defendant behind the wheel were civilians. As a result, Florida Statute 316.645 requires the arresting officer to conduct an independent crash investigation. In this case, the officer only completed a DUI investigation, and did not take part in the crash investigation. The State contacted Parks & Braxton to concede the motion.
Result: The State dropped the DUI.
Aug 1, 2022 Case: 21-017995MU10A Judge Carpenter-Toye
Facts: The defendant was involved in a multi vehicle crash. Multiple civilian witnesses stated that the defendant was driving at a high rate of speed and collided with the vehicle in front of him. The officer noticed a strong odor of alcohol and bloodshot eyes. Upon speaking with the defendant, the officer stated that he did know which county he was in. The defendant admitted to drinking a couple of margaritas for Taco Tuesday. The defendant was asked to perform a series of field sobriety tests, including the walk and turn and one leg stand. The defendant performed poorly and was arrested for DUI. The defendant subsequently blew a .157 and .164 in the intoxilyzer.
Defense: Parks & Braxton filed a motion to suppress alleging that the defendant was unlawfully arrested. Specifically, the only individuals who observed the defendant behind the wheel were civilians. As a result, Florida Statute 316.645 requires the arresting officer to conduct an independent crash investigation. In this case, the officer only completed a DUI investigation, and did not take part in the crash investigation. The State contacted Parks & Braxton to concede the motion.
Result: The State dropped the DUI.
Jul 27, 2022 Case: AFLIQBE Judge Vaccaro
Facts: The defendant was the at fault driver in a crash and he was also observed driving all over the road. When officers arrived, they observed the defendant to have glassy eyes, slurred/low speech, and he slowly exited the car. The defendant's eyes kept closing and his movements were slow. He had a dazed look and his eye lids were droopy. Believing he was impaired by drugs, he was asked to perform roadside tests. He performed poorly and was arrested for DUI. He later provided a urine test which was positive for marijuana after being tested at FDLE.
Defense: Here, there was no smell of pot, no marijuana was found, and the defendant denied taking any drugs. Also, the marijuana stays in one's system for up to 30 days. The officer also noticed HGN (nystagmus) which would be inconsistent with someone under the influence of pot. The State could not prove that he was impaired by marijuana.
Result: The State Dropped the DUI.
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