One of our clients was recently facing several charges, including DUI manslaughter.
The case began in December of 2015 when our client, Franklin Chavez, was
driving the wrong way on Interstate 95 in Miami-Dade. Chavez crashed headlong
into a car driven by 23-year-old Carmen Criales, who was pronounced dead
at the scene.
The crash also critically injured Ms. Criales’s mother and 22-year-old
brother, Brian. Noel Criales, Carmen’s father, was the one who called
in the accident. Mrs. Criales and Brian were both taken to intensive care.
Brian stayed in a coma for six weeks after the collision.
It was unknown why Chavez was driving the wrong way down the highway. Noel
Criales suspects Chavez was under the influence of drugs or alcohol, but
the police did not administer a blood test until 8 hours after Chavez
arrived at the hospital.
Because of this oversight, one of our founding attorneys, Andrew Parks,
convinced the state prosecutors to drop the DUI manslaughter charge and
all other charges related to driving under the influence. State prosecutors
had no way to prove beyond a reasonable doubt our client was inebriated
at the time of the crash.
Attorney Parks asserted the case was overcharged from the beginning, and
the state’s agreement to drop the DUI-related charges was a testament
to that. A plea is expected later this month, and sentencing is set for July.
If you would like to begin your own case, don’t hesitate to call
us. DUI charges are serious crimes with severe consequences. Make sure
you have an experienced Fort Lauderdale DUI defense lawyer on your side
who can fiercely advocate on your behalf. Let us defend your rights and
freedom. Contact us by filling out our online form to tell us about your
situation today. We look forward to working with you.