DUI REDUCED TO RECKLESS DRIVING – PINELLAS COUNTY – .157! (JANUARY 2009)
Defendant was observed parked in a parking lot of an adult establishment on Ulmmerton Road with his headlights on, facing into oncoming traffic. Pinellas County Deputies arrived on scene and found the defendant behind the wheel of his vehicle with the engine running. Because of the odor of alcohol on his breath, defendant was asked to perform field sobriety exercises which he failed and was subsequently arrested. He provided breath samples of .157 and .157. Defense counsel presented paperwork to the State Attorney’s office showing that defendant had contacted a person to pick him up and that he had no intention of driving. After many months of negotiating and on the day of trial, and despite the indicia of impairment, Stephen Higgins convinced the Pinellas County State Attorney’s office to amend the charge to a Reckless Driving without any license suspension. (Ref. No. CTC084484ABCANC)
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