Parks & Braxton, PA: Miami DUI Lawyer | Criminal Defense

ALSO SERVING ST. JOHNS, CLAY, FLAGLER, NASSAU COUNTIES
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ALSO SERVING ST. JOHNS, CLAY, FLAGLER, NASSAU COUNTIES
904.450.5220
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Free Consultations
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RESULTS

OUR RECENT VICTORIES

May 11, 2015 Case: 2015-CT-000538-A-E Judge Allen
Facts: The defendant was stopped for driving without headlights. The officer noticed the defendant to have an odor of alcohol and glassy/bloodshot eyes. The defendant performed the roadside tests at the request of the officer which were not video taped. For example, on the walk and turn test, the defendant used his arms for balance and stepped off the line. On the one leg stand, the defendant swayed and counted wrong. The defendant was asked if he was also taking any medications and the defendant stated "yes" but he did not specify which medications and when he took them. The officer concluded that the defendant was impaired not only by alcohol, but also a chemical and/or controlled substance based on the defendant's statements about taking medications.
Defense: Parks & Braxton had pretrial talks with the prosecutor. We pointed out that the State could not prove by which chemical and/or controlled substance was allegedly impairing the defendant based on his vague statements and the officer not obtaining specifics as to the medications. A few weeks prior to the trial date, the State dismissed the DUI.
Result: The DUI was dismissed.
May 5, 2015 Case: 2014-CT-149893 Judge Lefler
Facts: The defendant was stopped for swerving and drifting. The officer observed the defendant to have an odor of alcohol, slurred speech, and bloodshot eyes. She leaned against her car for balance and was swaying. Three empty vodka bottles were found in the defendant's back seat. She refused to perform the field sobriety tests and was arrested for DUI. After her arrest, she refused the breath test. This was the defendant's Second DUI.
Defense: Parks & Braxton pointed out to the State that the officer wrote in his reports that an in car camera was used during the entire DUI investigation. However, upon investigation, it was determined that the video could not be retrieved off the department's computer server. No explanation was ever given by the police as to why the video was purged.
Result: The State dropped the DUI.
May 5, 2015 Case: 2015-CT-500334 Judge Mann
Facts: The defendant was stopped for weaving in and out of lanes and making an improper right turn. The officer noticed the defendant to have an odor of alcohol, slurred speech, and she was repeating the same thing over and over. According to the officer, the defendant was unsteady and off balance outside her car. She failed the field sobriety tests and was arrested for DUI. There was no video tape used by the officer.
Defense: Parks & Braxton pointed out to the State that the alleged weaving was not described in any detail. Also, the officer hardly wrote any specifics about the defendant's alleged performance on the roadside tasks.
Result: The State dropped the DUI.
May 4, 2015 Case: 2014-CT-145299 Judge Lefler
Facts: The police were called out as someone saw the defendant passed out in a bar parking lot. They gave a description of his car. When officers responded, the defendant was driving off. The officers followed and observed the defendant weaving all over the road. Upon stopping the defendant, the officer observed the defendant to have an odor of alcohol, bloodshot eyes, and slurred speech. The defendant used his hands to balance himself on the car and swayed as he stood. He refused to perform the roadside tests on video tape and was arrested for DUI. After his arrest, he refused the breath test.
Defense: Parks & Braxton pointed out to the State, that on video, the defendant was not swaying as the officers had written and his speech was not slurred on tape. Also, the defendant was never advised of any adverse consequences for refusing the field sobriety tests as required by law.
Result: The State dropped the DUI.
Apr 30, 2015 Case: A0Z0OWP Judge Krieger-Martin
Facts: The defendant was found passed out in a drive thru by police. After finally awakening the defendant, the officer noticed the defendant to have an odor of alcohol, bloodshot eyes, sluggish movements, and slurred speech. The defendant admitted to consuming 4-5 beers. He failed all the roadside tests due to his level of intoxication. He was then arrested for DUI. After his arrest, he blew a .173 and .167 in the breath machine.
Defense: Parks & Braxton had pretrial negotiations with the State prior to trial.
Result: The State dropped the DUI.
Apr 29, 2015 Case: 2014-CT-025761AXXX Judge Bonavita
Facts: The defendant was found by the police passed out at an intersection. Upon awakening the defendant, the officer noticed the defendant to have an odor of alcohol, he was very confused, and stated he had drank three whiskey and cokes. The defendant was not making sense in his responses to questioning by the officer. The defendant was asked to perform field sobriety tests on videotape to which he complied. According to the officer, he showed signs of intoxication and was arrested for DUI. After his arrest, he refused the breath test.
Defense: Parks & Braxton pointed out to the State that the defendant's performance on the tests contradicted the beginning portion of the video tape as to his level of alleged impairment. The week before a jury trial, the State Dropped the DUI.
Result: The State dropped the DUI.
Apr 28, 2015 Case: CTC14-5994XBCNC Judge Pierce
Facts: The defendant rear ended another car. When officers arrived, they noticed the defendant to have an odor of alcohol, slurred speech, and a flushed face. While standing, she was unsteady and staggering according to the police reports. The officer asked her to perform the field sobriety tests and she refused. She was then arrested for DUI. After her arrest, she refused the breath test.
Defense: Parks & Braxton pointed out to the State that on the videotape at the scene, the defendant's speech appeared normal versus what the officer wrote in his report. Also, she was not off balance or unsteady on tape. In addition, the officer never advised the defendant of any adverse consequences relating to her refusal to perform the roadside tests as required by case law.
Result: The State dropped the DUI.
Apr 24, 2015 Case: 2014-CT-022764AXXX Judge Weiss
Facts: The defendant was involved in a rear end crash in which she was the at fault driver. The officer observed the defendant to have an odor of alcohol, slurred speech, and watery eyes. She was observed staggering and swaying upon exiting the car. The defendant failed the roadsides tests and was arrested for DUI. After her arrest, she refused the breath test.
Defense: Parks & Braxton had pre-trial talks with the prosecutor for a few months to convince them to drop the DUI. We pointed out to them that the roadside report was very vague and there were hardly any details of the defendant's performance on the field sobriety tests. Also, we showed them pictures that there was no damage to the other car as it was just a slight bump at a traffic light.
Result: The State dropped the DUI.
Apr 23, 2015 Case: 2014-CT-505243 Judge Gagliardi
Facts: The defendant was stopped for swerving all over the road and almost hitting another car. Upon stopping the defendant, the officer noticed the defendant to have rapid speech, poor coordination, and difficulty focusing in on answering basic questions. She had no odor of alcohol. The defendant stated she takes numerous prescribed controlled substances for anxiety, depression, and ADHD among other medical conditions. The defendant performed field sobriety tests, and according to the officer, she failed them and was arrested for DUI (chemical and/or controlled substance). Back at the station, a DRE (drug recognition expert) was called in to conduct a further investigation. One the evaluation was concluded, that officer with specialized training, concluded the defendant was impaired by a CNS depressant, a CNS stimulant, and a narcotic analgesic. A urine sample was then provided to the police by the defendant. The toxicology lab determined via testing that there were amphetamines, also known as CNS stimulants, in her system.
Defense: Parks & Braxton had numerous talks with the State pretrial. We pointed out that the DRE was wrong in that he concluded she was impaired by a CNS depressant and narcotic analgesic and none were found in her system. Also, the field sobriety tests he conducted back at the station contradicted her performance at the scene. There was no video tape. His conclusions contradicted the urine results. Also, we showed the State a letter from her Dr. who prescribes all her medications. He was with her just hours before the arrest and he observed no signs of impairment. The State Dropped the DUI and she received no criminal conviction at all.
Result: The State dropped the DUI.
Apr 20, 2015 Case: 2015-CT-000273-E Judge Clark
Facts: The defendant was stopped for weaving all over the roadway. Once stopped, the officer noticed the defendant to have an odor of alcohol and her movements were slow and lethargic. Her eyes were red and her pupils were dilated. The defendant stated she had been drinking beers. She was asked to perform the roadside tasks to which she refused. She was then arrested for DUI. After her arrest, she refused the breath test. This was the defendant's Second DUI.
Defense: Parks & Braxton announced ready for trial. Just prior to trial , we pointed out to the State that none of the alleged driving pattern was on video tape. Once the officer stopped the defendant, she then turned on the camera. During half of the video tape, the officer, for some unknown reason, took the defendant away from the camera so the defendant's actions could not be seen. Also, we pointed out that some of the defendant's normal faculties were not impaired on video tape.
Result: The State dropped the DUI.
Apr 14, 2015 Case: 2014-CT-008989AXXX Judge Cunningham
Facts: The defendant was stopped by the police for having his tail lamps out. Upon stopping the defendant, the officer noticed an odor of alcohol coming from the "interior of the car" and a beer bottle in the back passenger floorboard. The officer had his police lights on and told the defendant to "stay put" as he went back to his patrol car. Upon entering his patrol car, he began typing out traffic citations for no tail lamps and for the defendant not carrying his registration. He had also called for a DUI unit. The defendant sat in his car for an extended period of time waiting for the DUI unit to arrive even after the citations had already been typed. When the DUI unit arrived on scene, he went up to the defendant's car and observed an odor of alcohol from the defendant himself, bloodshot eyes, and slurred speech. The defendant then performed the field sobriety tests on video tape. According the officer, he failed them and was arrested for DUI. After his arrest, he refused the breath test. This was the defendant's Third DUI.
Defense: Parks & Braxton took pretrial sworn deposition testimony of the officer who stopped the defendant. After taking the deposition, the firm filed a pretrial motion to suppress all of the evidence. In our motion, we alleged that there was no "reasonable suspicion" of a crime justifying the initial detention of the defendant at the scene longer than it was necessary to write the civil traffic citations, while awaiting arrival of a DUI unit some time later. The Judge was presented case law by the defense, heard argument, and then Granted the motion thereby excluding all the State's evidence against the defendant.
Result: The DUI was dismissed.
Apr 10, 2015 Case: 15-CT-500050 Judge Adams
Facts: The defendant was stopped for speeding. The officer observed the defendant to have an odor of alcohol and he swayed back and forth while outside the car. The defendant then performed the field sobriety tests on video tape. According to the officer, he failed and was arrested for DUI. After his arrest, he blew a .113 and .115 in the breath machine.
Defense: Parks & Braxton pointed out to the State in pretrial negotiations that the video contradicted the breath test results. We discussed with the State how the defendant's performance on the video was contradicted by the written police reports and that his breath alcohol level could have been lower at the time of driving.
Result: The State dropped the DUI.
Apr 10, 2015 Case: 2012-CT-001647-O Judge Wilson
Facts: The defendant was stopped for weaving. The officer noticed an odor of alcohol, bloodshot eyes, and he swayed once outside the car. According to the officer he failed the roadside tests and was arrested for DUI. While at the station, the officer came to the conclusion that the defendant was impaired by a controlled substance after having found amphetamines salts in the car. A drug recognition expert officer was called to conduct a further investigation. That officer concluded the defendant was impaired by a CNS stimulant (ie. amphetamines). The officer then requested a urine test. The defendant complied and later tested positive amphetamines.
Defense: Parks & Braxton had lengthy discussion with the State prior to trial.
Result: The State dropped the DUI.
Mar 31, 2015 Case: 2014-317967 MMDB Judge Davidson
Facts: The defendant was stopped for speeding. The defendant had an odor of alcohol, mumbled speech, and he admitted to drinking beers. He was also observed to be unsteady on his feet. According the officer, he failed the roadside tests and was arrested for DUI. After his arrest, he blew a.100 and .092.
Defense: Parks & Braxton had discussions with the prosecutor about dropping the DUI prior to trial.
Result: The State dropped the DUI.
Mar 26, 2015 Case: 2014-CF-002722AX Judge Economou
Facts: The defendant was found by the police passed out in his car as it was parked in front of a convenience store. The defendant was slumped over the wheel, the engine was on, and the a/c was running. The officers finally awoke the defendant and noticed him to have an odor of alcohol, slurred speech, and there was a pool of vomit right outside his car. The defendant refused to perform any roadside tests and was arrested for DUI. While in the back seat of the patrol car, the defendant was cursing the entire car ride to the jail. At one point, he allegedly spit at the officer though the cage and that led to him being charged with an additional crime of Felony Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer.
Defense: Parks & Braxton had discussions with the prosecutor just prior to the taking of pretrial depositions on the case. After our talk, the State agreed to Drop the DUI and also Drop the Felony Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer down to a misdemeanor. On both charges. the defendant received NO criminal convictions on his record.
Result: The State dropped the DUI.
Mar 24, 2015 Case: 2014-CT-504094 Judge Paluck
Facts: The defendant was stopped for driving on the wrong side of the road. The officer observed the defendant to have an odor of alcohol, incomprehensible speech, and glassy eyes. The defendant had to use the car for balance and also swayed while outside of the vehicle. According to the officer, the defendant appeared heavily intoxicated. He did not perform any roadside tests and was arrested for DUI. After his arrest, he refused the breath test.
Defense: Parks & Braxton pointed out to the State that the defendant had told the police on scene he had bypass surgery and also was diabetic. EMS was called to check the defendant. We discussed with the State that any impairment observed could have been due from the defendant's diabetes and his past bypass surgery.
Result: The State dropped the DUI.
Mar 23, 2015 Case: 4209-XEX Judge Seraphin
Facts: The defendant was stopped for speeding and striking a curb two times. The officer noticed an odor of alcohol, slow speech, and red eyes. The defendant admitted to drinking three gin and tonics. He then performed the field sobriety exercises whereby the defendant displayed several signs of impairment. He was then arrested for DUI. After his arrest, he blew a .203 and .200 in the breath machine.
Defense: Parks & Braxton had pre-trial talks with the State.
Result: The State dropped the DUI.
Mar 13, 2015 Case: 14-CT-504722 Judge Swett
Facts: The defendant crashed his car into a palm tree causing extensive damage to his car. When the police officer arrived, he noticed the defendant to have an odor of alcohol, slurred speech, slow and lethargic movements, and disarranged clothing. The defendant failed the field sobriety exercises. For example, on the walk and turn test, he failed to touch heel to toe, stepped off the line, lost his balance, and did not count out loud. On the one leg stand exercise, he swayed, put his foot down, and used his arms for balance. He was then arrested for DUI.
Defense: Parks & Braxton had pretrial talks with the State. We pointed out first that there was no video tape at the scene and the roadsides were vaguely described. Also, more importantly, back at the breath facility, after his arrest, the defendant was offered a breath test. The defendant stated he would provide a breath sample. However, the police could not locate someone qualified to administer the test. It was unclear what efforts if any were taken by the police to locate a breath machine operator. Thus, the State had no refusal to argue consciousness of guilt or breath test results to rely upon.
Result: The State dropped the DUI.
Mar 12, 2015 Case: 2015-CT-000707AXXX Judge Shepherd
Facts: The defendant was stopped for swerving all over the road. The officer observed the defendant to have an odor of alcohol, glassy eyes, and slow reactions. The defendant had to lean against the car for balance and admitted to drinking beer. After performing the field sobriety tests, he was arrested for DUI. After his arrest, he blew a .153 and .151 in the breath machine.
Defense: Parks & Braxton conducted pretrial talks with the prosecutor.
Result: The State dropped the DUI.
Mar 11, 2015 Case: 14-CT-145522 Judge Myers
Facts: The defendant crashed his car into a concrete barrier wall. When the officers arrived, they noticed the defendant to have an odor of alcohol, bloodshot eyes, and slurred speech. He was also very unsteady on his feet. The defendant admitted to consuming 2-3 beers. According to the Trooper, the defendant failed the field sobriety tests and was arrested for DUI. After his arrest, he refused the breath test.
Defense: Parks & Braxton had discussions with the State prior to trial. We pointed out that on the video tape, the officer did not properly angle the camera. Thus, no one could properly view the defendant's entire performance on the roadside tests. Also, the video tape contradicted the officer's reports as the defendant's speech appeared normal on tape and he was not unsteady.
Result: The State dropped the DUI.
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