A 45-year-old man was taken into custody on July 18 after causing a traffic accident in Gainesville. Police say that the crash occurred after the man drove through a red light on NE 39th Avenue and North Main Street. The driver exhibited strong signs of impairment when he was apprehended by authorities.
Authorities say that the decision to take him into custody was made after he performed poorly on sobriety tests. Breath tests showed that he had a blood alcohol content as high as .34 percent, which is four times the legal limit in Florida. The man was being held at Alachua County Jail. Reports did not indicate if he had made any court appearances.
Driving under the influence of alcohol can lead to serious legal penalties. For instance, a driver may be sentenced to time in jail, probation and a license suspension. Other penalties may include community service as well as a fine. Jail sentences and fines may be increased for those who have previous convictions.
It may be possible to argue that any DUI evidence obtained through a blood or breath test is invalid if the test was taken improperly. The results of a field sobriety test may also be unreliable if an individual had a health issue that made walking or standing difficult. If successful, an individual arrested for driving while intoxicated may be acquitted or have the charge thrown out before trial. It might also be possible to reach a plea deal that may reduce or eliminate some or all penalties in the case.
