Tag: Field Sobriety Exercises

Breathalyzer, Criminal Defense, Diversion Program, Driving Under the Influence, DUI, Formal Review Hearing, Legal Blog, License Suspension

DUI Top 10 FAQ in Palm Beach County, Florida

caseyreiteresq

This guide provides general answers to frequently asked questions regarding Driving Under the Influence (DUI) in Palm Beach County, Florida.
1 What is DUI or Driving Under the Influence?
Driving Under the Influence, or DUI, is a criminal charge in Florida when a person is in actual, physical control of a vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol to the extent their normal faculties (ability to walk, talk, see, hear, etc.) are impaired, or with a blood or breath alcohol content of more than .08.

2 What are Field Sobriety Exercises?
Field Sobriety Exercises, or FSEs, are tasks designed to measure a person’s coordination, balance, and mental awareness. The roadside tasks are administered by law enforcement officers, in many cases an officer who is a member of a DUI Task Force, after a traffic stop (or at a DUI checkpoint) when the officers have reasonable suspicion that the driver of the vehicle is under the influence of alcohol or drugs. They usually consist of HGN (Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus – where an officer will ask you to follow a pen with your eyes), Walk and Turn (walk nine heel-to-toe steps in a straight line, turn around, and walk back), One Leg Stand (stand on one leg, lift the other leg approximately six inches off of the ground while keeping arms down at the side, and count to thirty), and Finger to Nose (extend the arms one at a time to touch the tip of the nose with the tip of the finger).

3 Do I have to perform Field Sobriety Exercises?
Field sobriety exercises are voluntary. An officer’s request for a person to perform these exercises is his attempt to either dispel his belief that the suspect is under the influence, or to gain additional evidence in support of his belief that the driver should be placed under arrest. Typically, officers are recording these exercises with the dash camera in their police vehicles, and the resulting video evidence can be used in court. This is why it is important for people to know that a person who is requested to perform field sobriety tasks does not have to perform them. There are many reasons that a person could perform poorly on the exercises, even if that person is not under the influence.

4 Do I have to take a Breath Test?
Florida’s implied consent laws provide that refusal to submit to a breath test can result in a 1 year drivers license suspension, or more, and the refusal to provide a breath sample can be used in a DUI trial as evidence of guilt. So while you can refuse to take a breath test, such a refusal will not be without consequences.

5 The police officer didn’t read me my rights – does my case get dropped?
Unfortunately, it is not that easy. In Florida, an officer usually does not have to read your Miranda rights unless he is interrogating you, or unless you were involved in a car accident and his traffic investigation turns into a DUI investigation. This is why it is important for you to know your rights – including your right to remain silent.

6 What is the 10 Day Rule?
When you are arrested for Driving Under the Influence in Florida, your DUI citation will act as a 10 day temporary driving permit. During that time, you have the option to request a Formal Review Hearing and challenge the administrative suspension of your license in front of a DMV hearing officer, or you can waive that right and immediately receive a hardship permit (also called a Business Purposes Only permit) which will let you drive for limited purposes (such as going to school or work). You have to make this decision within 10 days.
7 What is a Formal Review Hearing?
A Formal Review Hearing is separate and distinct from the criminal DUI case. The purpose of a Formal Review Hearing is for a hearing officer, who works for the DMV, to make a determination as to whether the person’s civil license suspension should be sustained, amended or invalidated based upon the evidence presented. During the Formal Review Hearing, the hearing officer will determine 1) Whether the police officer had probable cause to believe that the driver was driving or in actual physical control of a motor vehicle in this state while under the influence of alcoholic beverages or chemical or controlled substances and 2) Whether the driver had an unlawful blood-alcohol level or breath-alcohol level of .08 or higher. The hearing officer will determine this by a “preponderance of the evidence,” meaning that if the hearing officer finds it is more likely than not that the driver was under the influence or had a BAC of .08 or higher, the driver’s license suspension will stay in effect. The police officer will typically testify during the hearing, and the police report will usually be introduced into evidence. All of which the driver is entitled to see. Formal Review Hearings give the driver an opportunity to not only fight the civil license suspension, but also to obtain testimony from the police officers involved in the arrest.
8 What are the Penalties for a 1st time DUI
The penalties for a first time DUI arrest depend on the specific circumstances of the incident. In general, for a run of the mill DUI where there were no enhancing factors (no accident, no children in the car, blood or breath alcohol content under 1.5, etc.), a person will be facing fines ranging from $500.00 up to $2,000.00, a minimum of six months driver’s license suspension, possible jail time, 10-day vehicle immobilization, at least 50 hours of community service, up to one year of probation, attendance at DUI school, and attendance at a Victim Impact Panel, in addition to higher insurance rates and a criminal conviction .

9 Is there a Diversion Program for 1st Time DUI arrests in Palm Beach County, Florida?
Yes; in 2013 the Palm Beach County State Attorney’s office established a diversion program for people who are facing their first DUI arrests. Not everyone is eligible for the program: if you were in a DUI crash, or you were arrested for DUI with a minor child or animal in your car, the Palm Beach County prosecutors will not let you enroll in the Palm Beach County DUI First Time Offender Program. A person who is arrested for a DUI for the first time who does participate in the Palm Beach County DUI First Time Offender Program, which is a diversion program, can expect the following: the DUI charged will be dropped, you will instead plead guilty to a lesser charge of reckless driving, and then you will be placed on probation for 12 months, during which time you agree not to have alcohol or drugs, to immobilize your car for 10 days, to pay for an alcohol monitoring device (ignition interlock that is installed in your car, SCRAM – Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitor – ankle bracelet monitor, or Visual alcohol monitoring device) for three to six months (the time period depends on the level of impairment), to pay a fine from $250.00 to $500.00 (depending on the level of impairment), to perform 50 or 75 community service hours (depending on the level of impairment), DUI school, substance abuse evaluation, and Victim Impact Panel class. It is important to know that there are severe consequences for failing, which can include a reinstatement of your DUI charge and conviction, and 90 days in Palm Beach County Jail. The program is not for everyone – you need to be extremely disciplined to pass the program. If you have been arrested for DUI in Palm Beach County, Florida, and are considering the DUI program, you need to act fast – if you want to enter the program, you have to do so at Arraignment. A knowledgeable DUI defense attorney in Palm Beach County will help you review your case and decide whether you should enter the Palm Beach County DUI First Time Offender Program.

10 Why Hire a DUI Lawyer in Palm Beach County?
A DUI Lawyer in can review your Palm Beach County DUI case and look for mistakes that were made by the officers, challenge breath test results, file motions to suppress if needed, contest your DUI charges, and negotiate with the State on your behalf or go to trial. Anyone who is facing DUI charges in in Palm Beach County, Florida, whether it is the first time DUI charge or a second DUI charge or more, should contact a criminal defense attorney experienced in Driving Under the Influence charges to review the case for any possible defenses and help you find the best possible resolution to your specific case.

 

Anyone who is facing DUI charges in in Palm Beach County, Florida, whether it is the first time DUI charge or a second DUI charge or more, should contact a criminal defense attorney experienced in Driving Under the Influence charges to review the case for any possible defenses.

Casey Reiter is an attorney at Greenspoon Marder Law in West Palm Beach, Florida, practicing in the areas of Criminal Defense, Family Law, and Appellate Law.

Criminal Defense, DUI, Legal Blog, Probation, Recent News, VOP

Amanda Bynes DUI Arrest

caseyreiteresq

Former Nickelodeon Star, Amanda Bynes, was arrested this week for Driving Under the Influence after police determined that Bynes was under the influence of an “unknown drug.” California Highway Patrol allegedly observed Bynes’ vehicle stop in the middle of the intersection after approaching a red light. CHP pulled Bynes over and requested that she perform field sobriety exercises, which she was allegedly unable to complete.

Bynes is reportedly due in court on October 23, 2014.

While Bynes’ recent arrest would typically be charged as a misdemeanor offense, there are some complications in light of the fact that Bynes was sentenced to three years of probation in February stemming from her 2012 DUI arrest.

In Florida, a Second DUI within 5 years of a prior DUI conviction is punishable by 10-270 Days in county jail, a fine of $1,000-$2,000, probation of up to 1 year, 5 years of a driver’s license suspension, 30 days of vehicle immobilization, and 1 year of ignition interlock.

Additionally in Florida, a new arrest while on probation could lead to a violation of probation on the prior charge. This means that in addition to facing criminal liability on the new charge, probation could be terminated as “unsuccessful,” and the original sentence on the underlying crime (in this case it would be the first DUI) could be reinstated.

A Florida criminal defense attorney can review a violation of probation case and determine the proper steps to be taken in defending the VOP. Sometimes, attorneys are able to file motions for in court surrender to avoid jail, or to negotiate with the state attorney to have the terms of probation reinstated. Each case is different. Anyone facing a probation violation in Florida should contact a Florida criminal defense lawyer.

Further, anyone charged with a DUI in Palm Beach County should contact a Palm Beach Criminal Defense Lawyer to review their defense options.

Casey Reiter is an associate attorney at Stuart R. Manoff & Associates, P.A. in West Palm Beach, Florida, practicing in the areas of Criminal Defense and Marital Law.

Criminal Defense, DUI, Legal Blog

Anxiety and DUI Arrests in Florida

caseyreiteresq

75

One of the most common observations made by officers during a DUI stop is that the driver was weaving in his or her lane.

However, when officers make this observation, they are often following behind a driver. The “normal” response for a driver who is being followed by a police officer is to become nervous and anxious. Even people who have done nothing wrong find themselves double checking their mirrors and slowing down when they become aware that a marked police vehicle is behind them. The longer the officer follows, the more nervous a person typically becomes; the more nervous a person grows, the more that person checks his mirror, taking his eyes of the road, and drifting in his lane.

Undoubtedly, the result is weaving, drifting, and attempts at correction, which can create the appearance that the driver is under the influence of alcohol. Meanwhile, the police officer has most likely been recording the entire incident on his in-car camera, capturing what he believes to be evidence of a drunk driver to present in court later.

A police officer needs reasonable suspicion to stop a driver for a DUI investigation. Interestingly, in the scenario above, the police officer’s own act of driving behind the vehicle has caused driver’s actions, which then give the police officer reasonable suspicion to believe that a DUI is being committed. After all, erratic actions, weaving within a lane, and varying speeds are actual indicators that someone is under the influence.

If a driver has been pulled over, now it is typical for the driver to become even more nervous. A person who has just been followed by a police officer, who has been exposed to the flashing lights and sirens, and who has been approached by an officer in full uniform may start sweating, stuttering, and appear flushed due to an increased heart rate. The person may fumble with his or her wallet when asked to present a driver’s license and proof of insurance. On top of this, the investigating officer likely already believes that driver is under the influence based on his or her driving pattern. So now, the officer notes bloodshot eyes as an indicator of impairment, when they could have simply been dry from the air conditioner, or tired from driving. If the person has had a drink, the “evidence” keeps piling on. Now there is an “odor of alcoholic beverage” on the driver’s breath, and an admission that the person was drinking if he responds to the police officer’s question of “have you been drinking tonight” with “I only had two drinks a couple of hours ago!”

At this point, the officer will typically ask a person to exit the vehicle and perform field sobriety exercises. A driver who does not know the exercises are voluntary may perform the exercises, perform poorly (maybe the driver naturally has poor balance, or an injury, combined with being anxious), and ultimately be placed under arrest for driving under the influence without even the results of a breathalyzer. If the person refuses to submit to a breath test, that refusal will be used as additional evidence against the person, and in a trial, the prosecutor will be able to argue that the driver refused the breath test because he “knew” the results would be above the limit (even if that wasn’t the reason for refusal).

Obviously, not all DUI arrests are a result of an encounter between a nervous person and an overzealous police officer. However, many of the standard “indicators of impairment” can be created in the scenario described above and cause the arrest of a person who was not actually under the influence to the extent his or her normal faculties were impaired.

There are many defenses to a DUI charge, and anyone who is facing a DUI in Palm Beach County should contact a Palm Beach Criminal Defense Attorney to discuss his or her potential defenses.

Casey Reiter is an associate attorney at Stuart R. Manoff & Associates, P.A. in West Palm Beach, Florida, practicing in the areas of Criminal Defense and Marital Law.

Appeal, Breathalyzer, Criminal Defense, DUI, Legal Blog, License Suspension

DUI Permanent License Revocation

caseyreiteresq

A Broward DUI case (Calabrese v. State) was published this week wherein a permanent license revocation was affirmed by the Broward Circuit Court.

In the case, the defendant was arrested for DUI after she drove through an area that had been roped off by police for an unrelated criminal investigation. The defendant declined to perform field sobriety exercises, but agreed to submit to a breath test and blew a .089. The defendant was found guilty by a jury at trial. The court found that this was the defendant’s third DUI within 10 years. As a result, she was ultimately sentenced to 364 days in Broward County Jail, which was to be lowered to 180 days upon completion of the SAP program (the Substance Abuse and Life Skills Program which provides treatment services to inmates in Broward County’s Jail), along with other standard DUI penalties (such as community service, fines, etc.) and a lifetime driver’s license revocation. 

The defendant appealed the lifetime driver’s license revocation, arguing that it was improper for the court to order because Florida Statute 322.28(2)(a) only requires a 10 year minimum license suspension for a third DUI conviction within 10 years. However, the circuit court disagreed and found that because there was no maximum sentence limit within the statute, the trial judge was within his discretion to issue a lifetime driver’s license revocation.

DUIs in Florida have serious consequences, as seen in this case. Anyone who is facing DUI charges in Florida should contact a criminal defense lawyer to discuss the possible penalties of a DUI conviction and determine the best defense route to attempt to mitigate those penalties. 

 

Casey Reiter is an associate attorney at Stuart R. Manoff & Associates, P.A. in West Palm Beach, Florida, practicing in the areas of Criminal Defense and Marital Law.

Criminal Defense, DUI, Legal Blog

DUI – Field Sobriety Exercises

caseyreiteresq

In last week’s blog, DUI – Property Damage, I mentioned that there are roadside sobriety exercises, such as the Walk and Turn exercise, the Finger to Nose exercise, and the One Leg Stand exercise, that officers request people to perform during a DUI investigation.

Roadside exercises, also called field sobriety exercises, are tasks designed to measure a person’s coordination, balance, and mental awareness. The roadside tasks are administered by law enforcement officers, in many cases an officer who is a member of a DUI Task Force, after a traffic stop (or at a DUI checkpoint) when the officers have reasonable suspicion that the driver of the vehicle is under the influence, whether it be under the influence of drugs or of alcohol. Administering these roadside tasks transforms a traffic stop into a DUI investigation.

“Reasonable suspicion” is the legal standard of proof required for officers to begin a DUI investigation. In order for an officer to have “reasonable suspicion” to believe that someone is committing, is about to commit, or has committed a crime (in this case, Driving Under the Influence), the officer must have more than a hunch based upon specific and articulable facts. Reasonable suspicion to begin a DUI investigation could come from the driver’s driving pattern, such as weaving, improperly changing lanes, driving with lights off at night, speeding, driving over a median, or an improper U-Turn, combined with physical indicators of impairment such as bloodshot, watery eyes, slurred speech, or the odor of alcohol.

There are three specific roadside sobriety tasks or exercises that have been approved by the National Highway Safety and Traffic Administration (NHSTA) that officers may request when they believe they have reasonable suspicion to begin a DUI investigation: 

1) Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN):This is the most “scientific” of the field sobriety exercises, and for that reason, in order for the results of this test to be admitted in court, the officer must have been “DRE certified.” (DRE means “Drug Recognition Expert). During this exercise, the officer typically asks the driver to look at a pen light follow it with her/her eyes as the officer moves the light up and down, and right and left. The exercise is designed to measure involuntary eye movement, called nystagmus, which can be an indicator of drug or alcohol use. Nystagmus is also a naturally occurring phenomenon in certain people, and can also be a side effect of a stroke or tumor.

2) One-Leg Stand: During this exercise, an officer will ask the driver to stand on one leg, lift the other leg approximately six inches off of the ground while keeping arms down at the side, and count to thirty. During the thirty second count, the officer will make notes of the driver’s wobbling, swaying, raising arms, dropping the foot to the ground, and how the driver counts – noting if the count is too slow, too fast, or skips numbers. NHTSA has stated that the exercise is not recommended for people who are older, who have disabilities, or who are over 50 pounds overweight. 

3) Walk and Turn: During this exercise, an officer will ask the driver to walk nine heel-to-toe steps in a straight line, turn around, and walk back. During the walk and turn, the officer observes whether the driver is able to follow instructions, maintain balance, maintain in a straight line, count the correct number of steps, and turn around appropriately. NHTSA has stated that this exercise is more accurate when performed in a well lit area, on a cleared, flat, hard, and dry surface. Again, this exercise is not recommended for people who are older, who have disabilities, or who are over 50 pounds overweight.

There are other alternative exercises that can be used in addition to the three tasks mentioned above, or in lieu of the three mentioned above if the person claims physically disabilities that will prevent them from appropriately performing the tasks. In Palm Beach County, a DUI investigation could also typically include:

1) Finger to Nose: During this exercise, the officer will ask the driver to stand with her/her feet together and his/her arms out to the side, at a 90 degree angle from the driver’s body. The officer will ask the driver to close both eyes, tilt the head back, and extend the arms one at a time to touch the tip of the nose with the tip of the finger by only bending the arms at the elbows, and then return the arms to the side. During the finger to nose, the officer will observe whether the driver sways, misses his/her nose, uses the wrong arm, or fails to return his/her arm to the side once finished.

2) Romberg Alphabet: During this exercise, the officer will ask the driver to state the alphabet from A-Z without singing.

3) Finger Count: During this exercise, the officer will ask the driver to extend one arm with palm facing up and then touch each finger tip with the tip of the thumb while counting out loud “one, two, three, four,” one count for each time the thumb touches a finger. The officer will then ask the driver to perform the same task in reverse, and repeat three times. During this exercise, the officer will observe things such as the driver’s ability to follow instructions, to count, and to touch each finger in the correct order.

During a DUI investigation, field sobriety exercises are voluntary.  An officer’s request for a person to perform these exercises is his attempt to either dispel his belief that the suspect is under the influence, or to gain additional evidence in support of his belief that the driver should be placed under arrest. Typically, officers are recording these exercises with the dash camera in their police vehicles, and the resulting video evidence can be used in court. This is why it is important for people to know that a person who is requested to perform field sobriety tasks does not have to perform them. There are many reasons that a person could perform poorly on the exercises, even if that person is not under the influence. Physical disabilities, such as foot, knee, or balancing problems, could cause a person to not perform the exercises to standard, potentially resulting in their arrest and video evidence that could be presented to a jury.

Driving Under the Influence in the State of Florida can have serious consequences, including jail time, probation, driver’s license suspension. Anyone arrested for a DUI should contact a Criminal Defense Attorney to explore their defense options.

 

Casey Reiter is an associate attorney at Stuart R. Manoff & Associates, P.A. in West Palm Beach, Florida, practicing in the areas of Criminal Defense and Marital Law.