Mar 5, 2021 | Case: 20-CT-011093 | Judge Bonavita |
Facts: | A citizen called 911 that the defendant was driving erratically in a parking lot and appeared intoxicated. Officers spotted the defendant's car and followed him until conducting a traffic stop. They observed an odor of alcohol, slurred speech, red eyes, and he appeared off balance. The defendant refused to perform any roadside tests and was arrested for DUI. He later refused the breath test. This was the defendant's Third DUI. | |
Defense: | The officers followed the defendant for a long time. There was no erratic driving pattern observed by the officers. The lawfulness of the traffic stop was called into question as there was no corroboration. In addition, the officer did not advise the defendant of any adverse consequences when he refused to perform the field sobriety tests. Also, all the observations alleged in the police report were contradicted by the video. | |
Result: | The State Dropped the defendant's Third DUI. |