Putnam County DUI Reduced to Dry Reckless

A Palatka Police Department Officer observed a vehicle at the intersection of St. Johns Avenue and Moody Road. The vehicle made a right turn from Moody Road and was observed traveling westbound in the eastbound lane. Sgt. Nelson of the Palatka Police Department conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle and made contact with the driver. Upon speaking with the driver Sgt. Nelson observed a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage and called for another officer to respond to the scene to conduct a DUI investigation. Upon arrival, the other officer also observed a strong odor of alcohol coming from the driver and ask the driver to step out of the vehicle to perform filed sobriety exercise which the driver refused to perform. The driver was placed under arrest and transported to the Putnam County jail where she was requested to provide a breath sample, which again the driver refused.

The driver hired Meldon Law. The attorney at Meldon Law reviewed the discovery in the case and noticed multiple issues with the officer’s DUI investigation. The attorney from Meldon Law then spoke with the prosecutor and sent over multiple motions and case law supporting the defense’s position regarding the issues in the case. Ultimately, the Attorney was able to negotiate a plea to a dry reckless and the driver was able to receive a withhold of adjudication and avoid probation, only having to pay court costs.

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. (Date of Arrest: August 14, 2021).