tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8192880237210210589.post7208257303210002459..comments2023-09-26T12:07:08.787-04:00Comments on Plain Error: Florida Today Calls for Investigation into Brevard CountyIPF Staffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03742411849568590705noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8192880237210210589.post-37236720149712740272009-01-18T09:06:00.000-05:002009-01-18T09:06:00.000-05:00Whoever does the investigation should note how man...Whoever does the investigation should note how many DUIs of the mid-1990s were due to a .15% blood alcohol level. <BR/> I got pulled for a burnt out taillight in 1995 after drinking ONE BEER. The State Trooper smelled the beer and asked me to perform a field sobriety test, which I did. He said I passed the test, but he wanted to take a breath test. I said, "No problem". Two Deputy Sheriffs drove me out to a power generator station and gave me the test. I blew a .15. <BR/> I went to the States Attorneys Office and requested all the information they had on the testing equipment. They told me that information was not available to the public. I called (then) Governor Bob Graham who in turn called their office. They reluctantly gave me paperwork to File For Discovery, which I did.<BR/> According to the equipment manual, if the machine is used within 50 feet of a power source, such as a generator, it would register a .15 "even if the subject had zero blood alcohol content". <BR/> I got to see my Public Defender for the first time fifteen minutes before the trial. He had been on vacation. He asked me how I got all the information I had. He told me I was going to jail if convicted. In walked seven State Troopers and two equipment "experts" to tesify against me. I had no choice but to accept a plea bargain.<BR/> The whole ordeal cost me my job, my girlfriend. and a couple thousand dollars in time and fines.victimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17374181353949876962noreply@blogger.com