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DUI Acquittal: Winning with Spanish Language Advocacy

Background

In this complex DUI case, our client faced allegations of causing a highway accident and leaving a disabled vehicle partially blocking the roadway-creating a hazardous situation that led to a secondary collision. Prosecutors argued that our client was responsible for the initial crash and should be held liable for the resulting damages.

However, FrizWoods attorney Max Frizalone leveraged his Spanish language skills to uncover critical information from a key witness-leading to a complete acquittal.

This case highlights how effective communication and strategic pretrial preparation can change the course of a case-even before the first word is spoken in court.

The Challenge

Our client was accused of:

• Driving under the influence
• Causing a highway accident
• Leaving a disabled vehicle in a dangerous position

The prosecution’s case hinged on proving that:

1. The client was the driver of the crashed vehicle.
2. The client was present at the scene before the second collision occurred.

However, there was a key weakness in their evidence chain: no one had directly identified our client as the driver.

Our Strategic Approach

1. Pretrial Witness Investigation

• Before the trial began, attorney Max Frizalone noticed that a critical State’s witness-who had observed the crash scene-was present outside the courtroom.
• Recognizing that the witness was Spanish-speaking, Mr. Frizalone used his proficiency in Spanish to have a candid conversation with the witness.

2. Discovering Exculpatory Testimony

• During this pretrial conversation, the witness revealed a game-changing fact:
  • The crashed vehicle appeared abandoned when the witness arrived.
  • The witness never saw anyone exit the car or near the vehicle prior to the secondary collision.
• This critical detail completely undermined the prosecution’s ability to tie our client to the crashed vehicle.

3. Neutralizing the State’s Case in Court

• At trial, the State attempted to use the responding officer�s testimony to link the client to the abandoned vehicle.
• However, Mr. Frizalone was prepared.
  • He lodged precise objections whenever the officer attempted to offer speculative testimony or reference inadmissible hearsay.
  • The judge sustained these objections, effectively blocking the State from introducing evidence that tied the client to the crashed car.

4. The Court’s Ruling

• Without any admissible evidence placing the client in the vehicle, the State’s case collapsed.
• The judge issued a Not Guilty verdict, leading to a full acquittal.

The Outcome

Thanks to Mr. Frizalone’s proactive strategy and language skills, the client avoided:

• DUI conviction
• License suspension
• Insurance rate increases
• Potential fines and jail time

The client walked away from court completely acquitted and free of any criminal record.

Why This Case Matters

This case is a perfect example of how small details can make a big difference in court. It highlights:

• The value of speaking directly with witnesses-even outside the courtroom.
• How language skills can break down communication barriers and uncover critical facts.
• The importance of aggressive courtroom advocacy to block inadmissible evidence.

Attorney Max Frizalone didn’t just rely on police reports or pretrial discovery-he took extra steps to find the truth, leading to an outcome that changed the client’s life.

Facing DUI Charges? Let Us Go the Extra Mile.

If you’re facing DUI charges, you need an attorney who does more than just show up for court-you need someone who will dig deeper, challenge assumptions, and use every tool available to fight for your freedom.

At FrizWoods Criminal Defense, we go beyond the basics to secure the best possible results.

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FAQs

Q: Can an attorney really talk to a State’s witness before trial?

A: Yes. As long as the witness is willing to speak, defense attorneys can interview them before trial. In this case, that conversation led to critical exculpatory evidence.

Q: What happens if the State can’t tie a defendant to the vehicle in a DUI case?

A: Without clear evidence showing the defendant was the driver, the prosecution’s case weakens significantly. Courts require concrete proof-not assumptions-to secure a conviction.

Q: How important is cultural competence in criminal defense?

A: Extremely important. In this case, the attorney’s ability to speak Spanish ensured the witness was comfortable sharing information that ultimately led to the client’s acquittal.

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Contact FrizWoods today for a free consultation. We don’t stop at the obvious answers-we dig deeper to find the truth and fight for your freedom.