Jensen Beach, Fla. (WFLA) — A Florida judge appears on the other side of the courtroom after a traffic stop was arrested earlier this week.
Florida’s 19th Judicial Circuit Judge Brett Wallonicki in Fort Pierce was arrested Wednesday on charges of DUI and possession of drug paraphernalia.
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Deputies for the Martin County Sheriff’s Office swiveled the Ford F-150 in the lane, hit the fog line and bike lane several times before passing through the roundabout without a light at around 10:41pm on NW Jensen Beach Boulevard.
When Walloniki was pulled, authorities pointed to his breath, bloody, watery eyes, “thick tongue” speech, trembling body and a strong smell of alcohol that was struggling to sit still, the affidavit said.
The judge told deputies he was returning home to pick up the two friends, then admitted to having two drinks of vodka and his final drink at 6:30 that night.
Court documents show that Walloniki did not want to do an outdoor drinking exercise because “nothing was wrong,” and refused an alcohol breathing test.
One person hospitalized at Lakeland Barshoot.
The K-9 searches for Walloniki’s vehicle and discovers cocaine residues in Walloniki’s wallet. The circuit judge was taken to the Martin County Jail along with two passengers in his vehicle and was quoted for possession of cocaine.
The statement from the 19th Judicial Circuit, obtained by NBC’s affiliate WPTV, is partially read.
All cases currently assigned to Circuit Judge Brett M. Wallonicki will be renamed for hearing before a temporary service judge, before being consistent with the Supreme Court’s authority under the rules of the Court. The Chief Judge will take steps to ensure prompt, efficient and appropriate management of pending and filed cases within the circuit. Litigators with questions regarding changes to schedules for upcoming hearings can visit the St. Lucie Clerk’s website to find updates.
According to WPTV, the two have made progress on Walloniki’s drug use. For weeks, drug researchers from the sheriff’s office have been reviewing the judge.
Walloniki is scheduled to appear in court on May 22nd.
