Driving While Intoxicated – DL Hearing DISMISSED
My client was arrested for DWI in Austin, Texas by an officer with the Austin Police Department. The officer stopped my client because he was involved in a collision where he actually hit a pedestrian. The officer reported that my client had a strong odor of alcohol coming from his breath and bloodshot and glassy eyes.
My client REFUSED TO PROVIDE A BREATH TEST. He did, however, do the Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs). My client didn’t know he could refuse the tests. The Officer said my client exhibited all 6 clues of intoxication on the HGN (eye jerking) test. The Officer said that my client displayed 8 of the 8 clues of intoxication on the Walk & Turn test. The Officer said that my client swayed, used his arms for balance and put his foot down numerous times on the One Leg Stand test.
We appealed the so called “automatic” suspension of his driver’s license. We filed discovery requests and subpoenaed all the officers involved to justify our client’s arrest and the suspension.
We argued to the ALR judge that DPS couldn’t prove all the necessary elements necessary to suspend my client’s license. The judge ruled that we were correct and denied DPS’ request to suspend my client’s license. His LICENSE WAS NOT SUSPENDED.