Category: DUI Case Results

Police respond to report of minor fender bender in apartment complex parking lot. Client found outside running vehicle and admits to being “too drunk to drive.” Civilian witness testifies that he observed client driving only in parking lot. Client arrested and submits to breath test result of .23 BAC. Defense argues lack of evidence presented to support finding beyond reasonable doubt that client operated on a “public way” as required by drunk driving law. Not guilty verdict at trial.

Police stop vehicle for erratic operation and officer suspects that driver and passenger switched seats before stop. Officer admits there was some confusion at the scene as to which person was actually driving and that his vantage point did not allow him to see if a switch occurred. Police select client as driver and arrest him for OUI following standard field sobriety tests. Breath test results are .33 BAC. Defense presents alleged passenger at trial to admit she was the actual driver and her therapist backs up her testimony, confirming woman sought treatment for stress caused by her failure to admit the truth at the scene. Not guilty verdict following jury trial.

Client stopped by police for broken taillight, speed and marked lanes violation. Driver admits to one (1) mixed drink and submits to three standard field sobriety tests. Defense argues client passed the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) Test, a test routinely relied upon by the State as the “most accurate and reliable test.” Defense Motion to Dismiss allowed on DWI complaint.

Client stopped for speeding. Officer detects odor of fresh burnt marijuana, blood shot eyes and odor of alcohol. Client admits to smoking half a joint just prior to stop but completes field sobriety tests without difficulty. Defense cross exam establishes standard field sobriety tests are not validated for detection of impairment by marijuana. Blood test is negative for alcohol but positive for marijuana. State’s expert witness admits that positive blood tests for THC only establish “window of use” and do not establish impairment which can vary significantly among individual marijuana users. Not guilty verdict following trial.

Client stopped for expired registration sticker. Officer notes driver has red, bloodshot, glassy eyes, difficulty retrieving license and some confusion answering questions. Search of vehicle turns up drug paraphernalia. Driver allegedly admits to smoking marijuana shortly before being stopped. Defense cross examination focuses on driver’s successful performance on two of the field sobriety tests. Defense challenges arresting officer’s expertise to form opinion regarding effects of recently smoke marijuana on driver. Not guilty verdict following trial.

Police observe client speeding on wet, slick road and then lose control going off road into trees. Police Officer notes odor of alcohol coming from driver before he is cut lose from car by Fire/EMT(s) and transported to hospital for treatment. No field sobriety tests, hospital lab blood test inadmissible, state’s blood tests are inconclusive as to whether driver’s blood alcohol content was above or below legal limit at time of accident. Defense Motion to Dismiss for lack of evidence allowed as to Aggravated DWI and regular DWI charges.

Client stopped by police in early morning for driving without headlights. Officer notes odor of alcohol, slow speech and movements and red glassy eyes. Client arrested following field sobriety tests. Defense photos show area is well lit business district. Cross exam focuses on lack of erratic operation and client’s ability to pass much of the field sobriety tests. Not guilty verdict following jury trial.

Police respond to client’s home to investigate single car accident with tree at 11:00 a.m. 100 yards from his house. Police find client unsteady, confused, disoriented and note odor of alcohol and slurred hesitant speech. Client admits to drinking a few beers the night before and is arrested for OUI and Leaving the Scene of an Accident following field sobriety tests. Defense uses medical records, photos and witness testimony to establish client injured by cracking windshield with head and fell asleep at wheel after exhausting work week. Not guilty verdict on both charges following jury trial.

Motorcycle driver stopped by police for driving wrong way on one-way street. Driver admits to drinking only two beers. Officer concludes driver failed standard field sobriety tests but does note in his report driver’s prior “leg injuries”. Defense presents medical records related to these serious injuries as they tend to invalidate field sobriety tests. DWI charge dismissed.

Client arrested for OUI offense after allegedly leaving the scene of minor traffic accident. Client is found several blocks from abandoned vehicle allegedly involved in minor accident. Charge is dismissed for lack of necessary evidence to establish identity of driver at time of accident.