Viral Super Speeder Arrest Video - Why Were Charges Dropped?
The Video Went Viral. The Criminal Charges Didn't Stick.
Published on by Attorney Jeff Lotter
A dashcam video of a driver clocked at 103 mph on Alafaya Trail went viral. The footage showed dangerous driving. An infant was in the backseat. The public was outraged. Criminal charges were filed under Florida's new super speeder law.
Then the criminal charges were dropped.
When the case made the news, reporters wanted to understand how a viral arrest could end without a criminal conviction. I sat down with Spectrum News 13 to explain what happened.
As featured on Spectrum News 13:
Watch the full story →What Actually Happened
When a case goes viral, the public sees the dashcam footage and assumes conviction is inevitable. What they don't see is what happens in court.
In this case, the State had an obligation to turn over evidence: the radar calibration records, maintenance logs, and documentation needed to prove the speed. We demanded that evidence. They didn't provide it. We filed a motion to compel. Still nothing.
By trial, the State still hadn't complied with their discovery obligations. The court held a Richardson hearing and ruled that the late disclosure was "tantamount to a midnight disclosure." The radar evidence was excluded.
The Result
Without the speed evidence, the criminal super speeder charge couldn't be proven. The case was reduced to a 12-hour aggressive driving course and a careless driving infraction. No criminal conviction. No jail time.
The Bigger Problem
This case isn't an isolated incident. As I told News 13:
"We are challenging the super speeder cases on the administrative side of what they are producing. I think government inefficiency right now is preventing that from being presented accurately."
- Jeff Lotter, Lotter Law
Florida's super speeder law is new. Law enforcement agencies are still figuring out how to document and prosecute these cases. Many are cutting corners or failing to preserve the evidence needed for conviction.
That creates opportunities for defense attorneys who know what to look for.
Orange County Sheriff's Office Reports
136
Super Speeder Arrests Under the New Law
The Ninth Judicial Circuit has over 200 active cases.
With this many cases flooding the system, discovery problems are inevitable. Prosecutors are overwhelmed. Evidence isn't being produced on time. Defendants are being pressured to plead guilty before they understand their options.
Why This Case Matters
Viral videos create public pressure. But public pressure doesn't change the rules of evidence. The Constitution still applies. Discovery obligations still exist. The State still has to prove its case.
When the government fails to follow the rules, there are consequences. That's not a technicality. That's the system working as designed.
Read the Full Legal Breakdown
Want to understand exactly how this case was won? I've written a detailed analysis of the Richardson hearing, the discovery battle, and the legal strategy that led to evidence exclusion.
Read: Richardson Hearing VictoryRelated Articles
Facing Super Speeder Charges?
A viral video doesn't mean an automatic conviction. The State still has to follow the rules. If you've been charged under Florida's super speeder law, you need an attorney who knows how to challenge these cases.
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