Monday, May 5, 2003
State of Florida v. Robert Baez

No.02-1173

Broward County


Meeks' husband was killed when he was electrocuted by downed power lines suspended from a rotted pole previously maintained by BellSouth. A deputy found Baez in a parked vehicle slumped over the steering wheel. He knocked on the window, and Baez sat upright and opened the door to talk with the officer. He said he had only been sleeping. The officer asked for Baez' license, ran a check on it, and learned there was a possible out-of-state warrant for Baez. The officer placed Baez in custody and then discovered cocaine in the car. At trial, Baez was found guilty and sentenced to five and a half months in jail. On appeal, the Fourth District Court reversed on grounds that Baez had been unlawfully detained.