Something different for a change. DUI discovery sanctions upheld! Get the scoop right here.
See People v. Moravec, 2015 IL App (1st) 133869 (November 2015).

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I have already added this case to the DUI case list. Make sure to download your copy HERE.

Haven't I been going on and on about winning discovery sanctions at the trial level only to lose them at the appellate level. See DUI Discovery Violation Suppression of Evidence.

Well that didn't happen here.

Facts

This case involved a defendant arrested for a DUI.

The POD (police observations devices) cameras the Chicago Police Department actually captured the defendant's:

• Traffic Stop
• Interactions With Police
• Field Sobriety Tests

…so ya, kind of relevant.

Subpoena

The defense team quickly served the CPD with a subpoena putting them on notice that they wanted the digital evidence associated with the case.

These recordings get erased after day 15.

However, the subpoena was served on day 13, so check!

The Problem

You know what happened. Police erased the images and therefore could not tender the material.

DUI Discovery Sanctions Upheld

The defense team then files for discovery sanctions. The trial judge granted the motion. In podcast Episode 105, I report that the appellate court upheld the sanctions.

Thus, all evidence of the police interaction with defendant was excluded. Hard to see this DUI charge going anywhere but to a nolle bin.

Quickly, we see what the cases have in common:

• Recordings Actually Existed
• Subpoena or Preservation Notice Filed Promptly
• Police Fail to Disclose

Kladis, Moravec & Aronson

Definitely, whenever you think you may a sanctionable discovery violation in a case the three cases you want to have in front of you are:

• People v. Kladis, 2011 IL 110920
• People v. Moravec, 2015 IL App (1st) 133869
• People v. Aronson, 408 Ill. App. 3d 946 (2nd Dist. 2011)

The fight goes on.

Hey, If you haven't done so make sure to download my updated DUI caselist featuring every Illinois DUI case within the last 2 years.