Naples, FL Mayor Arrested on DUI Charge

Police arrested Naples Mayor Teresa Heitmann for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol after a couple told police she’d “followed them home” and “appeared intoxicated.” Naples police said the incident occurred around 9:51 p.m. According to reports, a man called 911 to report that he and his wife were followed home by a woman behind the wheel of a silver vehicle. According to the caller, the woman stopped her car on the grass in front of his home. The caller could be heard on 911 saying, “I think the mayor is drunk and she just, she just literally—oh, she just drove over our mailbox.”

The dispatcher questioned the caller asking her to confirm that it was the mayor behind the wheel of the vehicle. The caller said the woman behind the wheel was claiming to be the mayor of Naples. He then asked her to identify herself. The woman behind the wheel replied that she was indeed, Mayor Teresa Heitmann.

Bodycam footage showed the interaction the mayor had with responding police officers. The officer asked the mayor to “come over for me right here.” The mayor responded, “No, don’t call me mayor. I am Teresa Heitmann right now, I am not the mayor.”

According to police, Heitmann said that the couple had cut her off in traffic. Police had the mayor perform a field sobriety test after telling them that she only had one glass of wine. Police said they found probable cause to arrest her for DUI. Heitmann was taken to the Naples Jail Center where she agreed to have a breath test performed on her. Her results came back at 0.155 and 0.169, more than double the legal limit.

Heitmann was released from jail on a $500 bond. Her attorney did not offer a comment.

Aggravated DUI in Florida 

The legal limit for alcohol content in Florida is .08. Since the mayor was driving more than twice over the legal limit, it is possible that police can charge her with an aggravated DUI. Those with a blood alcohol content of greater than 0.15 can face aggravated DUI charges in Florida. This charge comes with enhanced penalties.

An aggravated DUI charge in Florida comes with more severe penalties than a simple DUI charge. There are three reasons an individual may face an aggravated DUI charge. The first is if their BAC is over 0.15. The second is if they have a previous DUI within the 5-year lookback period. The third method of aggravating a DUI includes causing injury, property damage, or death to another individual while operating your vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Talk to an Orlando, FL DUI Defense Attorney Today 

FL DUI Group represents the interests of Orlando residents who have been charged with DUI. If you are facing DUI-related charges, you will need to present a vigorous defense to avoid a worst-case scenario. Call our Florida DUI defense lawyers today to schedule an appointment, and we can begin advocating on your behalf right away.

Source:

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