Late in the evening of August 22, 2018, Anthony S. was traveling north on Route 107 in Saugus, Massachusetts. Anthony crashed into a car that was stopped at a red light. Anthony’s car then overturned and partially submerged in a swamp.
Anthony climbed from the vehicle and was eventually confronted by police. The police allegedly smelled the oder of alcohol on Anthony. They asked Anthony to submit to so-called “field sobriety tests”. The tests required Anthony to stand on one leg while counting aloud and then walk a straight line touching heal to toe. The police claim he failed the tests.
Attorney Salinas tried the case before a jury in Lynn District Court. He argued that it was preposterous that the police might smell alcohol on Anthony over the smell of a swamp in the middle of summer. Moreover, the field sobriety tests were wholly unreliable when required to be performed after a violent crash.
A jury found Anthony not guilty after short deliberation.