CXXT-0XX38XXX and CXXT-9X5XXXX NO CONVICTION AS CHARGED

On July 6, 2011, a Tampa Police Officer was traveling northbound on Howard Avenue just south of I-275. At approximately 4 am, he noticed the defendant traveling in the inside left lane. The officer saw the defendant almost rear end another vehicle at a red light. After the light turned green, both the officer and Defendant continued under I-275 where the Defendant made a wide left turn onto Green Street. As the Defendant approached Green Street and Armenia Avenue, the Defendant proceeded straight through the left turn only lane. The officer initiated a traffic stop for this infraction. Once the officer came into contact with the Defendant, the Defendant spoke with slurred speech. There was also a distinct odor of alcoholic beverage coming from the vehicle. The Defendant’s eyes were bloodshot/watery and glassy. The Officer asked the Defendant to perform field sobriety exercises. The Defendant performed the HGN eye test, the walk and turn test, and the one leg stand test. All 3 tests showed multiple clues of impairment. The Defendant was arrested for DUI and transported to central breath testing. Once at booking the Defendant was advised of Florida’s Implied Consent Law. The Defendant still refused to provide a breath sample. The officer issued a 1 year suspension of the Defendant’s license for refusing to submit to a breath test. On July 15, 2011 The Defendant was stopped by Tampa Police and cited for Driving While License Suspended with Knowledge. The suspension was a result of the Defendant’s refusal to submit to a breath test. Results: The State dropped the DUI charge before trial and dismissed the Driving while license suspended with knowledge charge.