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: 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.

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.

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: 2014-CT-027517AXXX	Judge Johnson
Facts:	The defendant was stopped for swerving. The officer observed the defendant to have an odor of alcohol, slurred speech, and an "orbital" sway. The defendant stated she had been drinking beer and also kept fumbling around looking for her license, registration, and insurance while still seated in the car. She then performed the roadside tasks. According to the officer, the defendant failed the video taped field sobriety tests. For example, the defendant could not properly state the alphabet. On the one leg stand, she put her foot down and swayed. The defendant was then arrested for DUI. Subsequently, she refused the breath test.
Defense:	Parks & Braxton conducted a pretrial negotiations with the State prior to trial.
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.

Mar 10, 2015	Case: 14-009274MM10A	Judge Solomon
Facts:	The defendant was stopped for speeding. The defendant did not pull over immediately, even with the officer's lights flashing and sirens on. The officer observed the defendant to have an odor of alcohol, slurred speech, and a flushed face. The defendant admitted to consuming 3-4 beers. According to the officers, the defendant showed several signs of intoxication during the field sobriety tests. He was then arrested for DUI.
Defense:	Parks & Braxton took a sworn pretrial deposition of the lead investigating officer involved in the case. The officer made several statements under oath in his deposition that contradicted both his police reports and the DUI video tape.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Mar 9, 2015	Case: 13-006125MM10A	Judge Evans
Facts:	The defendant was stopped after an officer observed him driving off the shoulder and almost hitting detour signs. The officer observed the defendant to have an odor of alcohol, glassy eyes, and slurred speech. The initial officer called for a DUI unit to conduct an investigation. The DUI task force officer conducted several roadside sobriety exercises and arrested the defendant for driving under the influence.
Defense:	Parks & Braxton compared the officer's report with his in car video. Ultimately, there were several inconsistencies between the officer's report and the video. For example, the officer lied about the number of times the defendant dropped his foot on the one leg stand. In addition, the summary concerning the walk and turn test was exaggerated as well. Counsel told the defendant not to take a plea to DUI and proceed to trial. Prior to trial the State agreed to drop the DUI.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Mar 9, 2015	Case: 13-015733MM10A	Judge Brown
Facts:	The defendant was involved in a traffic accident. He was alleged to have cut in front of another driver in an intersection. He was found to be the at fault driver by the police. When officers arrived, they observed the defendant to have an odor of alcohol, red eyes, and slurred speech. The defendant also had a flushed face. According to the officer, he failed all the roadside tests. For example, on the one leg stand, he swayed and put his foot down. On the walk and turn test, he stepped off the line and lost his balance. He was then arrested for DUI. After his arrest, he refused the breath test.
Defense:	Parks & Braxton investigated the case and pointed out that the officer embellished the defendant's level of impairment in his reports. We pointed out to the State that the video tape contradicted the written reports.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Mar 2, 2015	Case: 2014-CT-010690	Judge Adams
Facts:	Police were called after the defendant allegedly threw a beer can onto the victim's yard. The victim then followed the defendant in his car and and threw the beer can at the defendant's truck. When the police arrived, they found the defendant standing in his driveway. The officer noticed an odor of alcohol, a sway to his stance, and watery eyes. The defendant admitted to drinking beer. No roadside tests were conducted due to an injury the defendant previously sustained and also due to his level of intoxication. He was arrested for DUI and subsequently refused the breath test. This was the defendant's Second DUI.
Defense:	Parks & Braxton pointed out to the State that no police officer observed the defendant driving or actual physical control as required by Florida Statutes when there is no traffic crash involved. Thus, the State could not prove the first element of the crime of DUI.
Result:	The DUI was dismissed.

Feb 26, 2015	Case: 2014-CT-027757AMB	Judge Shepherd
Facts:	The defendant was stopped for driving aggressively and almost colliding with other cars. Upon being stopped, the officer observed the defendant to have an odor of alcohol, glassy eyes, she seemed dazed and confused, and slurred speech. The defendant stated she had drank 2-3 glasses of wine. According to the officer, she failed the roadside tests and was arrested for DUI. After her arrest, she blew a .105 and .112 in the breath machine.
Defense:	Parks & Braxton had pretrial negotiations with the State prior to trial.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Feb 18, 2015	Case: 2014-CT-142610	Judge Myers
Facts:	The defendant was stopped for speeding. The officer observed an odor of alcohol and bloodshot eyes. The defendant admitted to drinking three scotches. According to the officer, the defendant failed the video taped roadside tests and was arrested for DUI. After his arrest, he refused the breath test.
Defense:	Parks & Braxton had pretrial talks with the State a few days prior to the trial date. We pointed out that none of the defendant's "normal faculties" were impaired on video as it was alleged in the police reports.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Feb 13, 2015	Case: 2014-CT-001812-W	Judge McGinnis
Facts:	The defendant was stopped for an alleged violation of a traffic control device pursuant to Florida Statute 316.074. He was in a turning lane with a white arrow on the road indicating one should turn left. He decided to cut over a couple of lanes as were needed to go right instead of making a left. Once stopped, the officer noticed the defendant to have an odor of alcohol, extremely slurred speech, and red eyes. According to the officer, he performed very poorly on the roadside tests and was arrested for DUI. After his arrest, at the station and on video, the defendant stated he knew he would blow over a .08. The defendant then took a breath test and blew a .248 and .253 in the breath machine. This was the defendant's Second DUI.
Defense:	Parks & Braxton filed a pretrial motion to suppress the lawfulness of the initial traffic stop. In our motion, we alleged that there was no probable cause to stop the defendant as all he was doing was deciding to switch his direction of travel. Thus, no traffic infraction had been committed. The day prior to the motion hearing, the State stated they would drop the DUI.
Result:	The State dropped the DUI.

Feb 11, 2015	Case: 15-CT-500436	Judge Gonzalez
Facts:	The defendant was seen by the police standing on the side of the road with his hand up trying to flag someone down. The officer got out of his car and came in contact with the defendant. The officer observed the defendant to be bloody, have an odor of alcohol, and slurred speech. The defendant stated he had been drinking at a bar and his friend threw him out of the truck while it was moving. He then refused any medical treatment by fire rescue. The defendant refused to performed the 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 officer, nor anyone else, ever observed the defendant driving or in actual physical control of the truck. Thus, the first element of a DUI charge could not be proven.
Result:	The DUI was dismissed.

Feb 10, 2015	Case: 2014-CT-003242	Judge Provost
Facts:	The defendant was stopped for speeding. The trooper observed the defendant to have an odor of alcohol, bloodshot eyes, and she admitted having consumed two drinks and smoking some marijuana earlier in the day. After performing the roadside tests on video tape, she was arrested for DUI. After her arrest, and at the station, the trooper believed she was impaired by a chemical and/or controlled substance. He then called for another officer to conduct a DRE (drug recognition exam). That exam was conducted by a more experienced officer who had the defendant perform field sobriety tests again as part of the entire DRE exam. Once that exam was complete, she provided a urine sample to the police.
Defense:	Parks & Braxton pointed out to the State very early on in the case, after reviewing the discovery, that the two officers were contradicting each other in both their observations, as well as conclusions. Furthermore, a pre-trial investigation by the firm of the arresting trooper revealed FHP had tried to fire him due to allegations of severe misconduct.
Result:	The DUI was dismissed.