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DUI CAUSING SERIOUS BODILY INJURY (F.S. 316.193(3)(c)1);
CASE DISMISSED/NOLLE PROSEQUI
Santa Rosa County, FL
June 13, 2025
This was an intense Santa Rosa County matter that initially looked like a career-ending prosecution. The client was charged with DUI causing serious bodily injury (F.S. § 316.193(3)(c)2), driving without a valid license causing death/serious injury (F.S. § 322.34(6)(a)), and hit-and-run/fail-to-stop involving serious bodily injury (F.S. § 316.027(2)(b)) — a charging posture that exposed the client to multiple felony counts, substantial prison terms (each felony count carrying potential prison exposure and heavy fines), and catastrophic collateral consequences including a permanent felony record, employment ruin, and lifelong immigration and housing impacts.The case drew substantial local media attention: a multi-vehicle collision in a quiet residential neighborhood, two seriously injured victims, and multiple witnesses whose statements initially appeared strongly adverse. At first glance the prosecution’s theory looked ironclad and the courtroom stakes were extremely high.
We responded by doing what trial-ready defense always demands — we ran the case all the way through thorough, early fact development and adversarial discovery. After taking depositions and pushing for full disclosure, our team exposed fatal weaknesses in the State’s investigation: inconsistent witness statements, misinterpretation of key video evidence, gaps in timing and scene reconstruction, and problems tying our client conclusively to the alleged conduct. We also preserved and presented favorable investigative materials, medical context, and impeachment material that undermined the State’s narrative. That exhaustive, forensic approach changed the calculus. Confronted with the defense’s documentary and deposition-based failures in the State’s case, the Office of the State Attorney dismissed all charges.Why this result is significant: the dismissal removed the immediate threat of lengthy incarceration, avoided a permanent felony record, and spared the client the severe collateral consequences that would have followed conviction. More than that, it vindicated an aggressive litigation strategy: digging into the record, exposing investigative errors, and demonstrating an unmistakable willingness and ability to try the case. In short — we turned a headline-grabbing prosecution that looked destined for prison into a complete case defeat by doing the hard, detailed work early and refusing to accept the prosecutor’s first story. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. This summary is general information, not legal advice.