DUI Deferral Program Reduces Charge to Reckless Driving in Gainesville, Florida
The driver nearly struck a police vehicle prior to turning westbound on University Avenue, Gainesville, Florida. The police officer proceeded to follow the driver for a few miles. In the time that the vehicle was being followed by the policeman the vehicle weaved back-and-forth touching both the outside lane marker and center lane marker on five different occasions, drove with its left signal on without making a left turn, accelerated and slowed inexplicably to 20 miles per hour below the speed limit. Once the policeman initiated the traffic stop, the driver of the suspected vehicle did not pull over for two blocks and when it did nearly hit several physical lane dividers. The driver smelled of alcohol, had dilated bloodshot eyes and eventually admitted to drinking earlier that evening.
The driver agreed to do Field Sobriety Exercises. The driver was unable to keep her balance while being read instructions and failed the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus test. During the walk and turn, the driver missed touching her heel to toe with every step while simultaneously falling off the line three times. After failing these tests, the driver agreed to provide two breath samples, and blew .182g/210L and .181g/210L.
The driver hired Meldon Law and was allowed to participate in the DUI Deferral Program. If the driver completes this program successfully, the State Attorney will reduce her DUI charge to a reckless driving charge. (Date of Arrest: January 30, 2013)
DISCLAIMER: The results are specific to the facts and legal circumstances of each of the clients’ cases and should not be used to form an expectation that the same results could be obtained for other clients in similar matters without reference to the specific factual and legal circumstances of each client’s case.
