(PRWEB) September 04, 2013 -- Police woke up and pulled over a man allegedly found asleep at his wheel, resulting in charges of drug possession and drunk driving. Criminal defense lawyer and certified DUI Defense Expert David Katz says that even though the vehicle was not moving, being drunk at the wheel is still seen as a danger to the public.
Deondray Sheffield was stopped legally at a red light around 3 a.m., but a University Police Department officer noticed he did not move when the light turned green, according to the Gainesville Sun (06.09.2013). The police report states that Sheffield smelled of alcohol and failed a field sobriety test.
“There are lots of places to sleep off a rough night but the car isn't one of them,” said Katz, co-founder of Katz and Phillips, PA. “Even if he was in a parking lot with the engine off he could have been charged with DUI. But Mr. Sheffield had clearly been driving.”
On searching the car, police say they found drugs including powdered cocaine, chunks of cocaine, marijuana and painkillers.
“Driving on drugs counts as a DUI in Florida,” Katz warned. “It's fortunate that Mr. Sheffield chose to safely stop the car, but he could have hurt someone when he got behind the wheel.”
Katz says that law enforcement is tough on any hint of driving drunk and the best option is for motorists to take a taxi.
About David Katz:
David S. Katz is a Gainesville DUI lawyer and a founding partner of Katz & Phillips, PA. Nationally recognized as leader in DUI defense, he has trained other attorneys in defense strategies for DUI cases and has suppressed breath and blood evidence in hundreds of cases. He can be contacted at:
Katz & Phillips, PA
912 NW 56th Terrace
Suite A
Gainesville FL 32605
321-332-6864
David Katz, Katz & Phillips, PA, http://www.orlandocriminalteam.com/, (321) 332-6864, [email protected]
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