Not Guilty of Driving Under the Influence!
People v. CB
CB was involved in a single car accident where his vehicle hit a tree. He was charged with DUI, Driving on a Suspended/Revoked License, and Damage to Public Property. At a bench trial, two Chicago Police Officers testified against CB. Neither officer had any knowledge of how the accident occured, when it occured, or how long after the accident they arrived on the scene. They had a brief conversation with paramedics when they arrived on scene but no information about the accident was discussed (nor would it have been admissable at trial). The officers contradicted themselves as to which officer approached the vehicle first. Beyond that, the officers were impeached about observations that CB could not walk unassisted to their vehicle and that they actually had to lift his legs into their squad car; none of that information was contained in any of their reports. Beyond that, the second officer to testify indicated that she prepared all of the reports related to this arrest but that her partner actually signed them! There was a finding of not guilty on the DUI and the Damage to Public Property, but a finding of guilty on the driving on suspended license (the State refused to dismiss the charges even though CB now has a clear and valid license).