Strong Criminal Defense Forged By
Over 20 Years Of Experience

Florida man charged with DUI twice in a week

On Behalf of | Jun 11, 2020 | DUI |

A 23-year-old man was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol twice within the space of six days according to reports from the Florida Highway Patrol. The Clearwater resident was released from custody after posting bail in the amount of $500. A records check reveals that he was also charged with DUI about five years ago when he was living in California.

The first of the man’s recent DUI arrests took place on the evening of April 22 when a FHP trooper intervened to break up an altercation between two motorists on U.S. Route 19 in Clearwater. The trooper says that he ordered the man to complete a standardized field sobriety test after noticing signs of impairment. The man was taken into custody after he allegedly performed poorly during the test. Subsequent breath tests are said to have revealed his blood alcohol concentration to be roughly double the .08 legal limit in Florida.

The second alleged drunk driving incident occurred on April 27 when officers from the Clearwater Police Department responded to reports of a vehicle being driven erratically in the vicinity of Chestnut Street and South Fort Harrison Avenue. Police say the man came close to striking other vehicles and even crossed into the path of oncoming traffic. When he was pulled over, the man is said to have admitted to officers that he was in no condition to drive.

Making confessions or admissions to police officers may be unwise even if the facts seem clear. Any statements made to law enforcement can be used in court, and they could make securing a conviction far simpler for prosecutors. Experienced criminal defense attorneys would likely advise motorists suspected of DUI to avail themselves of their constitutional right to remain silent until they have talked to a lawyer.

Source: The Tampa Bay Times, “Clearwater man arrested on drunken driving charges twice in one week”, Chris Tisch, April 29, 2020