State v. Mathews

In each of these cases, the State of Florida asks this court to review a final order of the Dade County Court dismissing the charge of Driving Under the Influence (DUI). The county court, in each instance, certified the following question as being of great public importance:

WHETHER THE DOUBLE JEOPARDY CLAUSE BARS TRIAL OF AN OFFENDER ON A CRIMINAL TRAFFIC OFFENSE WHERE THE OFFENDER HAS PREVIOUSLY ENTERED A PLEA OF GUILTY TO A TRAFFIC INFRACTION ON WHICH THE STATE WILL RELY TO PROVE AN ELEMENT OF THE CRIMINAL TRAFFIC OFFENSE.

We accept jurisdiction pursuant to Rule 9.160, Florida Rules of…