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Another Jury Returns a Two Word Verdict (Not Guilty)

May 2015

Our client was stopped for speeding, and ultimately arrested for DUI.  He refused the breath test. His case was complicated by the fact that he repeatedly told the police (on the video) that he wasn't going to take the breath test "because I'll blow over the limit."

Our job at trial was to convince the jury that our client is no expert on how much alcohol would make him "blow over the limit."  And the State's burden is not just to prove that the defendant might be afraid he's over the limit, but to prove that he is actually under the influence to the extent his normal faculties were impaired.

The jury saw it our way, and realized that our client's driving wasn't bad.  It was a long day (The "Not Guilty" verdict didn't come until about 8:30pm), but our client went to sleep with a smile on his face.

Practice area(s): DUI / DWI

Court: Sarasota County Court

Tom Hudson

Known nationwide as a leading DUI defense lawyer, Tom has tried over 350 jury trials, including numerous death penalty cases. He now limits his criminal practice to DUI defense. His civil practice is devoted to getting fair compensation for the victims of negligence. Tom has attained multiple verdicts and settlements in excess of $1 million, and is a Life Member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. In 2008, Tom Hudson passed the National Board Certification Test for DUI Attorneys in Honolulu, Hawaii. NOTE: The State of Florida does not yet recognize DUI defense as a Specialty.

Why We're Different

Board Certification as a DUI Specialist by the National College for DUI Defense. Formal NHTSA Certification as an Instructor of the Standardized Field Sobriety Tests given by police in DUI cases. Formal training as a NHTSA Drug Recognition Evaluator. ("Drug Evaluation & Classification") Formal training to operate the Intoxilyzer 8000, Florida's official breath test instrument. Extensive experience in teaching other attorneys how to handle DUI cases. Hundreds of jury trials both as defense lawyer and as prosecutor.

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