Operating Under the Influence (OUI)

OUI-LIQUOR: DISMISSED

A State Trooper observed the Defendant speeding on Route 95 and clocked his speed at 82 mph. The Trooper observed the vehicle weaving and swerving and initiated a motor vehicle stop. The Trooper had to sound his air horn several times, sound his siren several times, and use his PA system several times to get the Defendant to pull over. The trooper detected an odor of alcohol and observed that the defendant’s eyes were glassy and bloodshot and that his speech was slurred and thick-tongued. The Defendant repeated the same number three times on the counting test. Defendant consented to a breathalyzer test and registered a blood alcohol content of 0.11. Attorney Gerald J. Noonan filed discovery motions to obtain all periodic testing and maintenance logs for the breath test machine because the Defendant’s first attempt at the breath test was terminated because the machine registered an “interference.” The case was scheduled for trial four times and Attorney Noonan appeared ready for trial each time. On the last trial date, Attorney Noonan filed a Motion to Dismiss on the basis that the Commonwealth failed to comply with court orders to provide the Defendant with the breathalyzer discovery, which was exculpatory because the BT machine malfunctioned during the Defendant’s first attempt to provide a sample.

Result: Attorney Gerald J. Noonan gets OUI-Liquor charge dismissed against business executive.

OPERATING UNDER THE INFLUENCE: DISMISSED

On October 23, 2008, Defendant was involved in a motor vehicle accident in which his vehicle struck a telephone pole and he was taken by ambulance to the emergency room. Defendant was not placed under arrest or charged with a crime. On January 14, 2009, a criminal complaint issued against the Defendant for OUI-Liquor. On December 17, 2009, Attorney Gerald J. Noonan argued a Motion to Dismiss the criminal complaints because his client was denied the opportunity to appear at a clerk-magistrate’s hearing and to challenge the probable cause needed to charge him with the offense. Attorney Noonan argued that the police report contained insufficient probable cause that the defendant was under the influence.

Result: Attorney Gerald J. Noonan’s Motion to Dismiss was allowed and the criminal complaint was dismissed. The Commonwealth decided not to pursue the charges after the criminal complaint was dismissed.

OUI-LIQUOR: NOT GUILTY

On November 29, 2006, Boston Police officers heard a vehicle spinning its tires and rapidly accelerating on Harvard Ave. in Brighton. The officers then stopped Defendant’s vehicle on Harvard Ave. The officer, in fear for his safety, immediately removed the operator from the vehicle. Immediately, the officer detected a strong odor of alcohol coming from the operator and the officer observed that his eyes were extremely bloodshot and glassy. Defendant’s speech was slurred and he was unsteady on his feet. Defendant failed all four field sobriety tests, which included the nine step walk and turn, the one-legged stand, the counting test, and the alphabet test. At the police station, Defendant took a breathalyzer test and registered a blood alcohol content of 0.11.

Result: Attorney Gerald J. Noonan gets Not Guilty on OUI-Liquor charge against defendant with 0.11 blood alcohol content.

OUI-LIQUOR: NOT GUILTY

A State Trooper observed the Defendant passed his police cruiser on Route 91 South traveling at a high rate of speed in excess of 100 mph. The Trooper pursued the Defendant’s vehicle reaching speeds in excess of 100 mph and at one point clocked his speed at 110 mph. The Trooper detected an odor of alcohol and a faint odor of burnt marijuana emitting from the Defendant’s vehicle. The Trooper observed that the Defendant’s eyes were glassy and bloodshot that his speech was slurred and that he appeared lethargic. Defendant accused the Trooper of racially profiling him and being trigger happy. Defendant admitted to consuming two beers. Defendant failed the alphabet test. On the one-legged stand, Defendant raised his leg above the requested six-inches to thigh level because she wanted to “do extra.” However, the Trooper noted that he counted to seven and put his foot down on the ground. Defendant failed the finger-to-nose test on five attempts. At the police station, Defendant was argumentative and uncooperative. He immediately stated, “I have to piss.” He accused the Trooper of having a quota. He refused to tell the Trooper that phone number and the name of the person he called from the police station. During booking, Defendant unbuttoned his shirt, got on his knees, and raised his arms saying. “I’ll get naked, whatever you want me to do.” Defendant then fell asleep in his cell.

Result: After a three-day trial in the Lawrence District Court, Attorney Gerald J. Noonan gets Not Guilty verdict for his client.

OUI-LIQUOR: NOT GUILTY
NEGLIGENTY OPERATION: NOT GUILTY
LEAVING SCENE PROPERTY DAMAGE: NOT GUILTY

Easton Police responded to a hit-and-run accident. Stonehill students were traveling in a vehicle and attempted to make a left-hand turn into the campus entrance. Defendant’s vehicle attempted to pass the Stonehill vehicle on the left, as it was making the left-hand turn. Defendant’s vehicle smashed into the driver’s side of the Stonehill vehicle then fled the scene pulling into a parking lot approximately one-half mile down the road. The Stonehill student called 911 and gave the police the Defendant’s registration. An SUV traveling behind the Stonehill vehicle followed the Defendant’s vehicle to the parking lot. Upon arrival, officers observed two males attempting to change the front passenger side tire of the vehicle, which had been extensively damaged from a collision. Defendant admitted to police that he was the operator and that he had gotten into and accident and was changing the tire. After three requests, Defendant was able to produce his license and registration. Defendant admitted to having two beers at the Union Villa Bar. Defendant then changed is story by saying that he had been at Owen O’Leary’s and had two beers and a shot of Vodka. Defendant stated that he had been drinking “Bud” and then stated that he had been drinking “draft.” Officers detected an odor of alcohol coming from the Defendant’s breath. Officers observed that his eyes were glassy and bloodshot and that his speech was thick and slurred. After three attempts, Defendant failed the alphabet test. After two attempts, Defendant failed the one-legged stand. Lastly, Defendant failed the nine step walk-and-turn. An identified witness informed police that he observed one of the male’s throw a cooler over the wooden fence. A search of the backseat found ice and two cold Michelob beers. During the booking process, Defendant became argumentative and confrontational, which was captured on videotape. Attorney Gerald J. Noonan acquitted his client on all charges by arguing that the Commonwealth failed to sustain its burden of proof on an essential element of the crime; that the Defendant (and no one else) was the “operator” of the motor vehicle.

Result: Attorney Gerald J. Noonan gets Not Guilty verdicts on all charges, including OUI-Liquor, against Navy man.