Sep 23, 2014 | Case: 12-014922MM10A | Judge Gonzalez-Levine |
Facts: | The defendant was stopped for speeding. The officer observed the defendant to have an odor of alcohol, slurred speech, a flushed face, lethargic movements, and bloodshot eyes. According to the officer, he failed the field sobriety tests and was arrested for DUI. For example, on the walk and turn test, he lost his balance during the instructions, missed heel to toe, and stepped off the line. On the one leg stand test, the defendant swayed, put his foot down a few times, and raised his arms for balance. After his arrest, he refused the breath test on video tape. The officer did not have an in car video camera to capture the investigation at the scene. | |
Defense: | Parks & Braxton took a pretrial deposition of the arresting officer since there was no video tape evidence at the scene. In his deposition, the officer contradicted himself and could not provide numerous specific details relating to the investigation prior to the defendant's arrest. The firm then announced ready for jury trial. On the day of trial, the State Dropped the DUI. | |
Result: | The State dropped the DUI. |