Orlando DUI Attorney Blog

An Orlando based attorney has been arrested and charged with driving under the influence. The defendant, 64-year old James Gorman Brown, allegedly pulled up to an officer dealing with four teenage suspects. Brown claimed that one of the suspects happened to be his client. He cursed at the officer and disrespectfully argued for the teen's release.

The officer on the scene reported that the attorney smelled of alcohol and exhibited signs of impairment. Brown submitted to field sobriety testing and subsequently arrested for DUI. Officers took the defendant to the Orange County Jail. The four teenage suspects originally stopped by the police were arrested on burglary charges.

Lake County Sheriff's Office has arrested a boater on a criminal charge of boating under the influence after he allegedly crashed his boat into a dock on Lake Harris. The defendant and driver of the boat, 51-year old Leesburg resident Michael Robert Smith, had to be rushed to the hospital for the treatment of injuries related to the crash. After the doctors released Smith from medical care, officers took him into custody on charges of BUI.

The defendant told police that he fell asleep while driving the boat before colliding with the private dock. Witnesses have also reported that a woman was present on the vessel at the time of the crash. A helicopter and marine patrol searched the area without luck. The authorities do not believe anyone to be in the water and rather the woman in question fled the scene on foot.

On August 18, 2009, police charged Titusville Battalion Chief of Emergency Medical Services and Training with driving under the influence. Titusville suspended the chief, Bob Allard, with pay pending the criminal investigation.

Allard allegedly pulled into an Orlando area DUI checkpoint in his personal vehicle. He admitted to police that he had consumed three rum and colas earlier in the evening. Allard did agree to submit to a breathalyzer test. He blew .172 and .176. This is over twice the Florida legal limit for alcohol consumption of .08.

The City of Titusville has determined that Allard's arrest violated ethics policies. He is suspended from the force for a period of three weeks. During this time he is also not permitted to use his government vehicle. Allard will not receive any special treatment for his government position and will be held accountable for his actions.

An Orange County man twice faced trial for a DUI charge that resulted in two mistrials has petitioned the Court for a full dismissal of the case. Officers arrested the defendant, 41 year old William Earl Robinson, after witnessing him allegedly swerving in traffic at 3 a.m. on the morning of January 26, 2008. The arresting report states that Robinson failed roadside sobriety testing and refused to submit a breath test.

Robinson's first mistrial occurred on January 29, 2009 when a jury reached an impasse and could not agree on a verdict. The second mistrial for the charges of DUI occurred when the Assistant State Attorney, Daniel Jancha, violated the rights of the defense by speaking to the jury about Robinson's right to remain silent. The Judge in the case, the Honorable Peter Marshall, warned the State Attorney about his Courtroom conducted and declared the second DUI mistrial.

A deputy used Taser on an Orlando area suspected drunk driver for not complying with orders. The defendant, 53-year old Willie Lee Bradberry, attempted to leave his vehicle during the traffic investigation. The officer ordered him to return to the side of his vehicle when Bradberry pulled a kitchen knife from his clothing.

The officer, Sargent William Rowe, pulled his gun. Bradberry complied with orders for a short time and threw the knife onto the ground. A struggle ensued when Rowe tried to handcuff the suspect. The officer Tasered Bradberry three times before he would comply.

The suspect complained of paralysis and had to be taken to a local hospital for observation. Doctors determined Bradberry did not suffer any injuries. The suspect failed to submit to field sobriety testing and a search of his car yielded cocaine. Bradberry faces charges of DUI, cocaine possession, carrying a concealed weapon and driving on a revoked or suspended license. He has not yet posted the $5600 bond and currently is awaiting trial inside jail.

Two motorcyclists have been arrested on suspicions of driving under the influence. At 2:00 a.m. a Marion County traffic deputy followed the Harley Davidson riders until finally pulling them over at the corner of Baseline Road and King Street. The suspect, 46 year old Dale Nelson from Ocala, fell off of his motorcycle. The deputy and the other driver, 46 year old Terry Robinson, assisted with picking the bike up off the ground because Nelson was allegedly too intoxicated to do so.

Nelson admitted to the officer that there has been a friend's death and he "probably" had too much to drink. He failed field sobriety testing and refused to participate in a breathalyzer test. Robinson, the other rider, refused field sobriety testing and would not agree to submit to a breath test. This is Robinson's fourth DUI arrest.

Orlando drivers should be aware of DUI checkpoints over this Labor Day holiday. Officers will be out in full force looking for offending drivers. Agencies across the Orlando area are teaming up with Florida Highway Patrol to promote driver safety over this holiday weekend.

Lake County Sheriff's office plans on orchestrating DUI and safety checkpoints within the Sorrento and Eustis neighborhoods. Lake County's Traffic Enforcement Unit will be patrolling eight different locations from 7:00 p.m. tonight until 3:00 a.m. Saturday morning. The Leesburg Police Department will also be participating in drunk driving checkpoints over this holiday weekend. A checkpoint is scheduled for tonight near Venetian Gardens from 10:00 p.m. until 2:30 a.m. Saturday morning.

All deputies will be checking for proper insurance and registration, valid licensing, ensuring drivers are following seatbelt laws and exercising proper vehicle safety. Officers are also looking to take drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs off of the street and into custody.