Florida Legislator Gets Plea Deal, and Other DUI-Defense News
In April, state Representative Dane Eagle faced allegations of driving under the influence after a police officer said the legislator’s vehicle was swerving between lanes late at night. The officer smelled alcohol when he spoke to Eagle, who refused to take a breath test and was subsequently arrested.
After the scandal hit the news, Eagle released a statement and addressed the allegations. He denied driving under the influence and said he was very tired after a long day. He also said that his passengers had been drinking, which is what the officer must have smelled during the traffic stop.
Although some called for his resignation, Eagle refused to step down, saying that he had done nothing wrong besides driving recklessly. It seems that the prosecution agrees with him; the Tampa Bay Times reports that Eagle accepted a plea deal.
Under the agreement, he pleaded no contest to reckless driving. In exchange, the prosecutor’s office dropped the driving under the influence charge. A judge sentenced him to community service.
Police Use DUI Checkpoints to Forcibly Test Blood
AOL Auto reports that police in Florida and other parts of the country are setting up “no-refusal” checkpoints. When Rep. Eagle was stopped, he exercised his right to refuse a breath test. Drivers stopped at checkpoints don’t often have that luxury.
Police work with judges who agree to be on-call during the checkpoint. If a DUI suspect refuses a test, police call the judge, obtain a search warrant and forcibly conduct a blood test. The practice is highly controversial, and opponents of the law say that it fundamentally weakens our freedoms.
Specifically, they say that it violates the protections against that type of search, which are guaranteed by the Fourth Amendment. If you’re facing drunk-driving charges, then it’s imperative that you speak with a DUI-defense attorney to ensure your rights are protected.
If you live in Fort Myers, we can provide expert legal guidance and a comprehensive defense strategy. At the Law Offices of Michael M. Raheb, P.A., we work hard to reach the best possible outcome for each of our clients. To speak with a DUI-defense attorney in Fort Myers about your charges, call us at 866-949-0888.
Florida Woman Shows What You Shouldn’t Do During an Arrest
The list of what you should never do during an arrest is a crowded one. There are many stories about people making their charges much worse through poor decisions while dealing with police officers. People routinely fight the authorities and gain resisting-arrest or even assault charges, but a Florida woman may have made the worst decision possible.
Florida Today reports that Tavish Kay Smith was arrested for driving under the influence of marijuana. The arresting officer left her handcuffed in the cruiser with a bag of the drug. She decided to eat the evidence, but unfortunately for her, she didn’t stop to think that police cruisers are outfitted with cameras.
If you are looking for an experienced DUI-defense attorney, call us at 866-949-0888.
