Looks like Spanish pop star and heartthrob Enrique Iglesias is going to need a Miami traffic attorney after all. The 40-year old Latin pop sensation will have to face the Florida judicial system after being charged with obstruction of justice and driving with a suspended license.
According to various news reports, Mr. Iglesias was pulled over by troopers from the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) while he was driving northbound on I-95. At the time, Mr. Iglesias was allegedly behind the wheel of a white, late-model Cadillac Escalade. At some point, the sports utility vehicle reportedly entered the express lanes, which were closed to vehicle traffic at the time; this prompted a trooper to initiate a short pursuit.
Once the Escalade was on the side of the highway, the FHP officer noticed that Mr. Iglesias switched seats with his male passenger, who has been identified as Abel Tabuyo. News reports indicate that Mr. Iglesias first jumped from the driver’s seat to the back of the SUV; then, Mr. Tabuyo slid over behind the steering wheel and Mr. Iglesias took his place in the front passenger seat.
When questioned about the hasty switching of seats, Mr. Iglesias wisely chose to remain silent while his passenger said that he did not know why they decided to change seats. The two men were handcuffed, arrested and transported to a Miami-Dade County detention facility to be processed.
At the law firm of Hassett & Associates, we handle many cases similar to the one that Mr. Iglesias is facing at the moment. In the Florida Statutes, the formal charge appears as “driving while license suspended, revoked, canceled, or disqualified,” which is considered a criminal violation.
As with other criminal offenses pursued by the Florida State Attorney, the burden is now on the prosecution to prove, beyond reasonable doubt, that Mr. Iglesias was in fact driving a motor vehicle while his license was suspended, canceled or revoked. If the case goes before a jury, the evidence must show notice of suspension was sent to Mr. Iglesias. The jury will also have to look at the evidence and determine whether Mr. Iglesias was in actual physical control of the vehicle.
If you are facing a situation similar to that of Mr. Iglesias in Florida, you need an experienced Miami Driving Infractions Lawyer by your side. Please contact Hassett and Associates, P.A. by calling 954-791-3939, 954-760-9911 or 305-567-1211 in Miami.