Florida Elementary School Principal Charged with DUI

A Florida elementary school principal is in a difficult position after he was charged with driving under the influence. According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, the principal was pulled over after driving erratically. In addition to the DUI charge, the principal will also be charged with fleeing and attempting to elude police officers after leading deputies on a chase.

According to HCSO, the principal cut off a deputy and nearly side-swiped his vehicle, almost entering the path of oncoming vehicles. Shortly after this, another deputy witnessed the principal failing to stop for a red light which had a “no turn on red” sign.

Another deputy tried to pull the principal over, but he refused to stop and continued driving. The deputies followed him, keeping him in their view until he parked his car inside his garage. The principal was taken into custody without incident.

According to police, he exhibited “obvious signs of impairment, including bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, the odor of alcohol, unsteady standing, and urinating on himself.” The principal had difficulty completing the field sobriety tests and his breath sample registered a .142, nearly twice the legal limit.

Analyzing the charges

 The defendant will be charged with misdemeanor DUI as well as fleeing and eluding police officers who were attempting to pull him over.

Fleeing and eluding is covered by Florida Statute 316.1935. Under the statute: “It is unlawful for the operator of any vehicle, having knowledge that he or she has been ordered to stop such vehicle by a duly authorized law enforcement officer, willfully to refuse or fail to stop the vehicle in compliance with such order or, having stopped in knowing compliance with such order, willfully to flee in an attempt to elude the officer, and a person who violates this subsection commits a felony of the third degree.

Fleeing and eluding can be kicked up to a second-degree felony if the driver attempts to flee police at a high rate of speed, in any manner which demonstrates a wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property. In this case, the defendant is accused of nearly side-swiping a police officer while he was operating his vehicle. It is likely that he will be charged with a second-degree felony for aggravated fleeing and eluding.

Fleeing and eluding can also be kicked up to a second-degree felony if the driver injures someone in an attempt to elude police. The driver can be charged with a first-degree felony if someone suffers “serious bodily injury” as a result of their attempts to flee police.

Talk to an Orlando DUI Lawyer Today 

FL DUI Group represents the interests of Orlando-area residents who have been charged with DUI or any related crime. Call our Florida DUI defense lawyers today to schedule an appointment, and we can begin preparing your defense right away.

Source:

patch.com/florida/carrollwood/fl-principal-faces-dui-charge-after-leading-deputies-chase-hcso