DUI Property Damage Reduced to Reckless Driving

Summary:

This case involves a 33-year-old woman who was charged with a DUI with damage to property as a result of crashing her vehicle into the fence of a local business. This was reduced to reckless driving due to incredible defense by our attorney, Susan Lawson. This amazing result was accomplished through multiple strategy sessions and mitigation.

Facts of the Case: 

After crashing her vehicle into a fence in Pompano Beach, Florida, our client was met with an officer who stated that he immediately smelled the odor of alcohol and noticed a lack of balance and slurred speech. For this reason, various field sobriety exercises were conducted. First, a Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus test took place in which the defendant constantly moved her head and the officer saw nystagmus in her eyeballs. Following this exercise, a walk and turn test was initiated where the defendant began the exercise too early and did not take the proper number of steps and used her arm to balance. Lastly, the defendant could not properly balance or understand direction during a one-leg stand test.

Due to the poor performance in these exercises, our client was arrested for driving under the influence. The charges were as following:

• DUI Property Damage/Injury
• Driving Under the Influence

Process and Result:

Susan Lawson had many strategy sessions to discuss the facts involved in this case with the client. During the initial strategy session, the client claimed that a girl on a bike pulled in front of her car and she had to swerve, causing her car to crash into the fence. Damage was also inflicted on the side of the building. Multiple motions for continuances were filed. An unopposed motion for depositions was also filed in order to allow defense counsel to take the deposition for officers that responded to the scene and individuals who saw the crash take place. An initial arrest and arraignment was held. Multiple calendar calls and a trial also took place.

Final Result:

Susan Lawson was able to get this case reduced to reckless driving with 4 months probation with random testing once a month. This result came to fruition due to hard work and a carefully curated mitigation package. The mitigation for this case included the client’s full completion of a treatment program and DUI school. The client successfully completed both of these programs which showed her regret for her actions and determination to grow from her mistake. Our client works as a teacher, so this result allowed her to keep doing what she loves and move forward to a greater future.