Case Name: STATE OF FLORIDA v. BRICE
Court: Florida Circuit Court
Jurisdiction: Florida
Decision Date: 1986-08-22
Citations: 18 Fla. Supp. 2d 191
Docket Number: Case No. 85-170 AC
Parties: STATE OF FLORIDA v BRICE
Judges: Before BARAD, FEDER, SHAPIRO, JJ.
Reporter: Florida Supplement Second
Volume: 18
Pages: 191–193

Head Matter:
STATE OF FLORIDA v BRICE
Case No. 85-170 AC
Eleventh Judicial Circuit, Appellate Division, Dade County
August 22, 1986
APPEARANCES OF COUNSEL
Jim Smith, Attorney General, and Julie S. Thornton, Assistant Attorney General, for appellant.
David Mermell for appellee.
Before BARAD, FEDER, SHAPIRO, JJ.

Opinion:
OPINION OF THE COURT
SHAPIRO, J.
This Court recently reviewed a similar factual situation in State v. Altamirano, 15 Fla. Supp.2d 97 (11th J.C. 1986). The Court concluded that, based on existing case law, no right to counsel exists in situations such as that presented to this Court for consideration. With due respect to my learned colleague who dissents from this opinion, we are not concerned with findings by the trial judge on the issue of what eflbrts were made to contact the attorney. In addition, in a situation such as exists in alcohol-related arrests, a balance test must be applied. A fundamental fairness requirement should not override the rights of society to be free from individuals driving under the influence of alcohol on our roadways. To wait until a suspected impaired person has contacted his attorney might mean that the evidence is diluted.
Based on the foregoing, the actions of the trial court were incorrect. The Order granting the Motion to Suppress is reversed and the matter remanded for further consideration.