State v. Ms. L. (2014)

Phoenix Municipal Court No. M-0741-4669434

Practice Area: Criminal Law / DUI

Date: 1/10/2014

Outcome: Complete Acquittal

Description: Acquitted on all DUI Charges.

Ms. L. was on her way to work when she accidentally rear-ended another car at an intersection. Officers were called and Ms. L was allowed to leave. Shortly thereafter, Ms. L rear-ended another driver at another intersection. Officers and paramedics were called to the scene. Subsequent to paramedics releasing Ms. L., Ms. L. was subjected to a DUI investigation. Ms. L performed poorly on the field sobriety tests and she was arrested for DUI and transported to a station where her blood was drawn. The results of the blood test showed Ms. L. to have both alprazolam and zolpidem in her system. At trial Ms. Castillo argued that the medication in Ms. L.’s system was not impairing and that Ms. L. had a valid prescription for the medication. The State’s criminalist testified that the medication levels found in Ms. L.’s system, would be impairing while the Defense expert testified that the levels may not be impairing. The jury found Ms. L. not guilty on both the impairment charge and the DUI drug charge.

Results depend upon factors unique to each case. Results in one case do not predict results in another case.