| May 12, 2026 | Case: 25-CT-062879 | Judge T. Brown |
| Facts: | The defendant was stopped for making an improper right turn at a high rate of speed and almost striking the curb. Officers noticed an odor of alcohol, glassy eyes, and slurred speech. He also used the car for balance and stumbled. He refused to perform the field sobriety tests and was arrested for DUI. The defendant later refused a breath test. | |
| Defense: | When a defendant refuses to perform field sobriety tests, an officer must advise them of adverse consequences (i.e., Taylor warnings) or the refusal will be excluded from evidence. The officer must state something like "your refusal can be used against you in court", or "I will have to make my decision to arrest based on what I've seen so far." Here, there were no adverse consequences. After conversations with the State prior to trial, they Dropped the DUI. | |
| Result: | The State dropped the DUI. | |
