Carey Wagner Meldon

Thank you for taking the time to find out more about me. I am currently a partner with the Meldon Law. Before joining the Meldon law firm in 2009, I practiced law in Daytona Beach with the State’s Attorney Office for almost four years. During my employment as an Assistant State Attorney, I personally handled thousands of criminal cases ranging from misdemeanor DUIs to capital felonies. In 2008, the 7th Judicial Circuit State’s Attorney’s Office promoted me to the Special Prosecution Unit.

I was born and raised in Gainesville and attended the College of William and Mary where I played on the Varsity Tennis Team and focused my education on the subjects of History and Economics. I later studied law at Stetson’s College of Law.

One of my life highlights was having my grandfather, Stetson Law Alum Maurice Wagner , present me with my diploma in 2005. My grandfather started practicing in Miami Beach in the early 1950s and a was a true trailblazer in the field of personal injury law. Maurice dedicated his life to fighting for justice and was awarded one of the highest distinctions by the Florida Supreme Court, the Tobias Simon award. In 2017, I returned to our family’s roots in South Florida where Maurice began his trial practice 80 years ago.

Now I run the Meldon Law firm with my father, the legendary Jeffrey Meldon. We have a full service firm with 5 lawyers and over 20 staff spread out through three Florida locations. Jeffrey and I take the time know our clients individually as it’s our honor to serve them.

I enjoy spending time with friends, both old and new. The most enjoyable aspect of my career are the long lasting relationships that have developed with many of my clients.

My interest is in trial practice involving criminal defense and personal injury cases.

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Florida

The Florida Bar

Since 2006

Florida

The Florida Bar

ID Number: 18494

Since 2006

Assistant State Attorney

Office of the State Attorney - 7th Judicial Circuit

2006 - 2009

Stetson University College of Law

J.D. (2005) | Law

2002 - 2005

College of William and Mary

B.A. (2001) | History

1996 - 2001

Community Partner of the Year

Pledge 5 Foundation

2012

FACDL (Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers)

Member

Current

NACDL (National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers)

Member

Current

Florida Traffic Court Rules Committee

Past Secretary

Current

NCDD (National College DUI Defense)

Member

Current

FJA (Florida Justice Association)

Eagle Member

Current

Broward County Bar Association

Member

Current

Eighth Judicial Circuit Bar Association

Member

Current

FACDL (Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers) Eighth Judicial Circuit

Past President

Current

AAJ (Association of American Justice)

Member

Current

Broward County Trial Lawyers Association

Member

Current

Florida State Bar  # 18494

Member

2005 - Current

A DUI Guide for South Florida

Word Association Publishers

Cross Examination, Blood Breath & Tears, Orlando

September 18, 2015

DUI Case Law Update, Masters of DUI, Fort Lauderdale

March 27, 2015

Defending DUI Cases, Basic criminal Law, Tampa

October 31, 2014

Q. I was driving and was going around a curve and my purse fell i picked it up and my truck swiped the light post.

March 11, 2020

A: From what you describe it appears the government WOULD have a plausible DUI "case" against you.

You have a few different questions that need answers:

1) Did the police officer have a lawful basis to make contact with you? It sounds (without further information) that the civilian witness who followed you to the store also directed the police to make contact with you about the damaged light post and/or driving pattern. The first question I'd have to answer is whether the officers' contact with you was consensual or a basis of a traffic stop. If consensual, than your 4th amendment rights wouldn't be "activated" and therefore any statements and/or observations could most likely be used by law enforcement to further its investigation and allow them to request field sobriety exercises. If it was a investigatory stop, then it would depend on the information that was relayed to them by the citizen as well as their own observations prior to conducting the stop. Regardless, civilians can generally testify as to "wheel witnesses" or whom they believe was driving based on personal observation. Civilians can also testify to abnormal driving patterns and other acceptable lay observations (speed, stumbling, manner of speech, etc...) The civilian cannot testify as to the field sobriety exercises since they are standardized and must be administered and observed in a standardized fashion. So, overall, it appears the officers would have a lawful basis to make contact with you regardless of whether its a investigatory stop or consensual encounter.

2) Can you be convicted of being impaired by prescription drugs? In the state of Florida the answer is YES. It would depend on a variety of factors. The type of drugs, the amount of drugs ingested, when were the drugs ingested, how long have you been taking the prescription drugs, are there any unintended interactions with drugs that may have been ingested, can the State prove that drugs caused impairment, etc..

Please contact a qualified DUI attorney in your area that can answer these questions in more detail after reviewing the State's discovery as well as your medical history. ... Read More

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