TDCAA    TDCAA Community  Hop To Forum Categories  Criminal    How do you argue a DWI Total Refusal?
Go
New
Find
Notify
Tools
Reply
  
How do you argue a DWI Total Refusal? Login/Join 
Member
posted
Actually, it is a total refusal on the scene.. but then, of course a few hours later at the station house he does the FST and looks pretty good.

How would you VD and argue on that?

Also, how do you argue just a BT refusal?

Thanks
 
Posts: 61 | Location: Austin, Texas, USA | Registered: January 18, 2006Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Member
posted Hide Post
Plea bargaining.

And, then, get involved in the next legislative session to argue for mandatory blood/breath, even for elected officials.
 
Posts: 7860 | Location: Georgetown, Texas | Registered: January 25, 2001Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Member
posted Hide Post
Was it really a "few hours" later when he did the FST's? If it was, you can voir dire on how people Sober Up after a few hours. You also voir dire on why would someone refuse to do simple coordination skills tests when an officer can smell ETOH on their breath.

Can't imagine an officer letting a "few hours" go by before doing the FST's.
 
Posts: 293 | Location: San Antonio | Registered: January 27, 2004Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Member
posted Hide Post
Facts at the scene. Driving, (hope they were good ones). Subjects demeanor at the scene, (belligerent, confused, how he (or she) moved around, slurring speech, distracted?, smell of alcohol.

Basically, grab at every little straw you can find.

Then plea, if you can.
 
Posts: 956 | Location: Cherokee County, Rusk, Tx | Registered: July 11, 2001Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Member
posted Hide Post
Just because a defendant refuses to do any field sobriety tests and refuses to blow does not mean in and of itself that you have a bad case. In fact, when they refuse everything, it may be a great case.

I do not know your facts. Look at the evidence very closely. Watch the tape, review the reports and talk to your officer and any witnesses.

In regards to developing better skills at trying these type of cases, my advice is to purchase Aplert's book DWI Investigation and Prosecution from TDCAA. It is an invaluable resource.
 
Posts: 70 | Location: Hunt County | Registered: February 27, 2001Reply With QuoteReport This Post
  Powered by Social Strata  
 

TDCAA    TDCAA Community  Hop To Forum Categories  Criminal    How do you argue a DWI Total Refusal?

© TDCAA, 2001. All Rights Reserved.