On the morning of March 1, 2016, our client was exiting the Orlando International Airport traveling north on S.R. 436. Our client is not a resident of Orlando and did not know that although it's a 6 lane highway, the speed limit upon exiting is 35 mph. Our client was clocked by an officer with the Orlando Police Department at 65 mph in the 35 mph zone. The officer proceeded to do a "step out" where the officer steps out into the street and visually waives the driver down. Our client failed to stop and passed the officer changing lanes to get out of his way because she thought he was attempting to get the attention of another driver. The officer then got on his motorcycle and conducted a traffic stop on our client. The officer cited her with a criminal charge for failing to obey his lawful order in not stopping for him. Based on a review of our client's driving history, her statements about being unfamiliar with the area, and the misunderstanding, we were able to persuade the State to drop the criminal charge against our client.
Our client was pulled over in Seminole County. She consented to a search of her vehicle which lead to the officer finding some items commonly used to smoke marijuana. We discussed some potential options with our client and were able to convince the State to allow her to enter into a diversion program. Our client successfully completed the State's diversion program and the State dismissed the case against her.
Our client was allegedly at fault in a hit and run accident. The other vehicle involved took a picture of our client's license plate as he left the scene and called police. A Trooper from the Florida Highway Patrol responded and tracked our client back to his home using the plate provided by the other driver. Our client's vehicle was parked in the driveway and had noticeable damage to it consistent with the accident the witness described. The Trooper made contact with our client and during his investigation he discovered our client's license was suspended. Our client had multiple prior convictions for Driving While License Suspended making this offense a felony as opposed to a misdemeanor. Our client was placed under arrest and taken to jail on two separate charges of Driving While License Suspended as a Habitual Traffic Offender, which is punishable by a maximum of 5 years in prison and a $5000 fine. We began working on the case trying to exclude any evidence we believed was improperly obtained and arguing that a photo of a license plate could not prove who the actual driver of the vehicle was. During this same time, we worked with our client to fix his suspensions and obtain a valid driver's license. Based on our conversations and arguments over the phone with the prosecutor, the State dismissed both felony charges before we filed any motions or had our first court date.
The defendant was seen on his motorcycle approaching a red light along with 2 other motorcyclists. The officer heard the cyclists roaring their engines at the light. After the light turned green, the officer observed the 2 outside motorcyclists take off hard while the defendant in the middle lane leaned forward and accelerated hard enough to burn the rear tire. The officer could hear the tire squeal and see smoke as the defendant leaned forward and swept his feet back in classic drag racing position. The defendant pulled well ahead of both other riders. The defendant was clocked at 64 mph in a 40 mph zone during this acceleration. The defendant was stopped for racing. The defendant admitted that he was “being stupid.” All of the events were caught on the officer’s in-dash camera. Result: State dropped the Racing charge.
The police came into contact with the Defendant, and found him to be in possession of illegal mushrooms. He was arrested and charged with Possession of Psilocyn (mushrooms). Had he been convicted of this crime, the Defendant was looking at up to 5 years of prison. The attorney for the firm investigated the case, and was able to get the Defendant into a drug treatment program. Upon completion of the program, the attorney for the firm was able to get the State to drop the case completely.
After 2am on January 10, 2015, our client was stopped for driving too slowly down the road in Downtown Orlando with her lights off. A police officer stopped our client and noticed her eyes were droopy, bloodshot, and watery. He also noticed the odor of alcohol coming from her breath and her vehicle. After performing field sobriety tests our client was arrested and eventually provided a breath sample of .136 and .137. We worked to get our client to begin some standard DUI conditions early on in her case. We eventually succeeded in getting our client admitted into a program for first time DUI offenders in Orange County. After our client successfully completed the conditions of the program, the State dismissed all criminal charges against our client.
Our client was returning to his office after a lunch break when he got into a small bumper to bumper accident with the vehicle in front of him. When he got out of his vehicle to make contact with the other driver, the other driver refused to speak with him while she was on phone with police. Our client attempted to have the other driver meet him in a parking lot down the road from the accident scene so he could get back to his office on time but the other driver refused to move. Our client left the scene to go to his office without exchanging all required information with the other driver. Police responded to the scene and started working the accident. Our client then returned to the scene after checking in at work. The officer cited our client with a criminal charge for Leaving the Scene of an Accident without properly exchanging information. Upon the outset, we noted the property damage estimate listed in the accident report and on the citation indicated a total damage amount of $0. We then requested and received a copy of the 911 call from the other driver, where our client can be heard explaining to the other driver where he worked, how close it was, and asking her to follow him there. Based on the circumstances we argued with the State that since there were no injuries, no property damage, and our client returned to the scene - there was no basis to file a criminal charge. The State agreed and dropped the criminal charge.
The defendant was stopped for speeding. He completed the roadside exercises and refused the breath test. Defendant was acquitted by a jury of DUI.
The client was stopped by law enforcement for running a red light. Once stopped the Officer smelled the odor of marijuana and the odor of alcohol. The Officer requested the Client to submit to sobriety exercises, which the client completed. However the officer still arrested him for DUI and upon searching the clients vehicle discovered marijuana. The client did not admit to or know the marijuana was in the vehicle. After discussing the law on the issue as well as the clients background and the facts of the case, the Firm was able to get the State to agree to dismiss the DUI and the Possession of Marijuana charge.
Our client was pulled over by FHP for running a stop sign. The Trooper required that our client exit the car, and the situation became confrontational. The Troopper noticed signs of impairment, including red/ glassy eyes, slurred speech, the odor of alcohol and unsteadiness. After our law firm obtained the video, it appeared that the officer may have exaggerated, as the signs of impairment were not noticable on the video. After admitting to consuming a "few drinks" and performing the roadside excerises on videeo, our client was arrested. A breath test was offered, but refused by our client. Our firm filed a Motion To Suppress Evidence, and on the day of the motion, ther DUI charge was dropped.
Client was stopped by law enforcement and a DUI investigation ensued after the officer claimed he noticed signs of impairment. Subsequently the client then gave a breath sample over the legal limit. After speaking with the State Attorney about the specific facts of the case, as well as the clients background the State agreed to dismiss the charge of DUI.
Client was charged with domestic battery after his live in girlfriend and another witness stated to law enforcement that he had stuck his girlfriend and also cut her, even though it was not clear where she received the cut. Her alleged injuries required hospital treatment and thousands of dollars in medical costs. The firm discussed the facts of the case with the State and the State agreed to dismiss the charges without having him pay for any medical bills.
