Case: State v. A.A.L. (Pasco County)
Charges: DUI
Date: June 14, 2023
Outcome: NOT GUILTY AT JURY TRIAL!
Description: A.A.L. was stopped for driving 81 m.p.h. in a 60-m.p.h. zone. A Florida Highway Patrol Trooper smelled the fresh odor of burnt marijuana and conducted field sobriety exercises. The Trooper claimed many “signs of impairment,” claimed that A.A.L. was impaired on marijuana, and arrested A.A.L. The Trooper performed a 1.5-hour DRE examination which further bolstered the Trooper’s claim that A.A.L. was under the influence of marijuana to the extent A.A.L.s normal faculties were impaired. A.A.L admitted to smoking marijuana within an hour of the stop and provided a urine sample which contained the chemical metabolite for THC. The State offered A.A.L. a reduction to a Reckless Driving and a withhold of adjudication. We felt that the State’s case was weak and declined to enter a plea to anything. Trial ensued and lasted one entire day, or approximately 7 hours. After a 50-minute deliberation, the jury returned a verdict of NOT GUILTY.
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