In Tallahassee, Florida Rep. Dane Eagle was recently arrested on charges of driving under the influence. According to local police, the Cape Coral politician was spotted driving erratically around 2 a.m. on April 21. The car reportedly hit a curb before going through a red light.
The officer who apprehended Eagle, who was not identified in the report, claimed to smell alcohol on the driver’s breath. The officer also reported that Eagle stumbled when getting out of the car and that his eyes were bloodshot. After telling the officer that he had not been drinking, Eagle refused to take a field sobriety test. He was arrested on charges of driving under the influence but was later released.
Afterward, Eagle told members of the press that the police description was inaccurate but no further details were released. The lawmaker admitted to using poor judgment in refusing to take a field sobriety test but says that he intends to fight the charge. He also intends to continue to serve in office and plans to run for reelection. Eagle’s next court appearance is scheduled for June 25.
Florida has some of the toughest DUI penalties in the country. If found guilty of driving under the influence, Rep. Eagle could face a number of penalties under state law, including:
- A fine of $500 to $1,000
- Mandatory community service
- A driver’s license suspension
- Probation
- Possible jail time
Drunk driving charges may seem daunting but you can fight the charges against you by questioning the methods used by law enforcement officers during your arrest. A skilled lawyer can seek reduced or completely dropped charges. To learn more about your options, speak with a knowledgeable DUI defense attorney in the Clermont area.
