Zeliff & Watson Win 6 Jury Trials & 3 Bench Trials in 2012

Jan. 24, 2013 - PRLog -- Zeliff & Watson, LLC practices DUI and criminal defense in Cumming and Forsyth County, Georgia. The firm is spearheaded by attorneys Peter Mandeville Zeliff and Evan A. Watson. For the year 2012, attorneys Zeliff and Watson combined, won six jury trials and three bench trials.

On Avvo, one of attorney Watson’s client’s said, “I can’t begin to explain my appreciation for Mr. Evan Watson. If you want an attorney who has the knowledge, experience, and abilities to understand the intricacies of the legal system, you have found him.” To read more client reviews on Mr. Watson, please go to http://www.avvo.com/attorneys/30040-ga-evan-watson-1775884/reviews.html.

A brief description of some of 2012’s jury and bench trial wins are included below:

State v. R.C.

The client was pulled over for weaving around 1:00 a.m., and the officer had the client perform field sobriety tests after smelling a “strong” odor of alcohol on his breath. After failing 3 out of 4 SFSTs, the client was arrested for DUI. During trial the prosecutor introduced a video where the client used numerous racial slurs and other obscenities directed at the police officer. After a one day trial and 20 minutes of deliberations, the jury returned a not guilty verdict on all counts, thus allowing the client to reapply for a driver’s license nearly six months before his license suspension was over.

State v. R.B.

Client was stopped at a roadblock where he admitted to the officer that he had four Long Island iced teas earlier that evening; he also said he didn’t normally consume that much alcohol. The video showed the driver performing poorly on the field sobriety tests, but it also showed him getting along well with the officer beforehand. After being arrested for DUI, he blew into the Intoxilyzer 5000 which registered 0.102% BAC (the limit is .08%). At trial the prosecution was unable to produce the breath testing slip; however, the officer testified that he noted the result on the traffic citation and his typed report. After 90 minutes of deliberations, the jury acquitted the DUI less safe and DUI per se.

State v. T.B.

The client was charged with unlawfully passing a school bus in Forsyth County. The bus driver gave a detailed testimony of the vehicle and a general description of the driver. After a bench trial, the firm’s client was acquitted with the judge citing there was reasonable doubt as to the identification of the driver.

State V. L.H.

Client was charged with unlawfully passing a school bus in Forsyth County. During the pretrial negotiations the state offered a $1,000 fine with a no contest plea. The firm used the affirmative defense of accident, citing the 2011 Olgivie case as support for charging the jury on accident. After each side presented their oral argument, the judge let the jury decide. The jury acquitted the client after just 30 minutes of deliberation.

City of Sandy Springs v. H.J. & J.F.

A client and his wife were charged with a total of 17 counts of local ordinance violations stemming from a house party with 100 to 300 guests in attendance. Prior to trial, the city offered the clients to plead guilty to all charges and pay a total of $17,000 in fines. After the bench trial, the client’s wife was acquitted of all but three charges and was order to pay a total of $900 in fines.

One of the many client reviews for attorney Peter Zeliff on Avvo stated, “Peter is one of if not the best DUI attorney in Forsyth County. His knowledge of the law, law enforcement procedures, and influence in the legal community are second to none.” To read more client reviews for attorney Zeliff, click on the following link: http://www.avvo.com/attorneys/30040-ga-peter-zeliff-536846/reviews.html.

Of the firm’s six DUI trial wins, the prosecutor admitted breath tests over the legal limit in three of the cases (1/2). The facts on all the DUI cases were tough because they included breath tests over the legal limit of .08%, and they involved clients who failed the standardized field sobriety tests. The attorneys at Zeliff and Watson are dedicated DUI and criminal defense attorneys. Attorney Zeliff has been included in Georgia’s selection of Super Lawyers®, and attorney Watson has been voted a Rising Star by the Georgia Criminal Defense Bar. The firm handles a wide variety of DUI and criminal defense areas ranging between first time DUI, to multiple DUIs, domestic violence, drug crimes, sex crimes and murder. To arrange a consultation with an attorney at the firm, please call (770) 676-1340 or visit the firm’s website online at http://www.forsythcountycriminaldefenselawyer.com.