Federal Judge Denies Dismissal: DUI Case
Reviewed by Michael P. Maddux, Esq. | Board Certified Criminal Trial Lawyer | Florida Super Lawyer for 16 Consecutive Years
A federal judge denied dismissal in a wrongful DUI case, handing the Law Office of Michael P. Maddux, P.A. a major early victory. The judge denied both defendants’ motions to dismiss, allowing the case to move forward toward discovery and trial.
Why the Court Allowed This Wrongful DUI Case to Proceed
The Court found that the plaintiff plausibly alleged he was wrongfully arrested for DUI. He passed sobriety tests and showed no signs of impairment. The Court ruled that simply smelling marijuana or admitting to prior legal use, without evidence of impairment, is not enough to justify an arrest under Florida law.
The judge also rejected the officers’ claims of qualified and sovereign immunity at this stage. This means the officers must now face the claims in court. This decision confirms that law enforcement cannot rely on weak or unsupported suspicions to make arrests, and it holds officers accountable when they violate constitutional rights. If you believe you were wrongfully arrested, our office can help.