June cleared in DUI case

Prosecutors, citing "no reasonable expectation of successful prosecution," dismissed Bucs linebacker Cato June's pending DUI case today in Circuit Court in Tampa

June was arrested in the early-morning hours of Nov. 19, after the team's return from a victory at Atlanta. That's when officer Peter Bucher said he approached June's Cadillac SUV and detected an odor of alcohol on his breath and bloodshot, glassy eyes.

After a field sobriety test, Bucher concluded June "exhibited clues of impairment." June, 28, refused to submit to a Breathalyzer test. However, his attorney, Ronald Hanes, said the state lacked the necessary evidence.

"When we saw the state's evidence, we were pretty confident of the outcome and the state recognized the weaknesses in the case," he said.

The dismissal of the case means June should avoid any discipline under the league's personal conduct or substance abuse policies. A first-time conviction for an alcohol-related incident can result in a fine up to $20,000.

Watch surveillance video

Comments

[poolman]

yeah, let me refuse a breathalyzer and see if my case gets dismissed! dang, i shoulda been a pro athlete. i'm happy for cato. he was just sleepy, cuz it was so early in the morning, when millionaire athletes are at their best! what a birthday gift!

[lo]

poolman? What flavor are you drinking? Sounds like hater-ade to me!

[Rube]

Good. Now he should concentrate on football.

He's right though! NO ONE gets their DUI dismissed! It's like close to impossible. He's not being a hater, just honest dude!

[Uncle]

You guys whining that he didn't get the book thrown at him are all wet. If he didn't submit a breathalyzer, they have no evidence, therefore they can't convict him. You're just mad you were dumb enough to blow. Don't blow, and have someone drive you around for a year. It's as easy as that.

[Cato FAN]

He deserved the dismissal. After all, he's a pillar in the community and he's one of Tampa's shining stars. There may have been officer malfeasance too. That can't look good when you arrest a man for no good reason and the State agrees and completely drops the case (doesn't even offer a plea bargain). We need our guys on the field and I'm thrilled he beat the rap. He should sue for wrongful arrest.

[Joanna]

The Bucs have had plenty of of players get arrested for DUI, but the staff must tell them early in their careers always to refuse the breathylizer, because they'll beat the rap every time with their legal team. If you refuse the breathylizer, you'll never be convicted of DUI if you were just pulled over for no reason. Never. If you refuse, you'll never get a DUI, just ask Cato June and the dozen of other Bucs in the last few years to get arrested and then walk out unscathed.

[John Klopfer]

If he would have been in a MVA where an innocent driver was killed....would it still be okay? Drinking and driving is not okay. I don't hate Cato, in fact I am a fan of his; but wrong remains wrong. The law is not made for just a few.

[Sarah]

I wonder if he can sue the State for wrongful arrest and defamation of character? It's a high profile case and they dropped it as if they knew it was bogus. With all the corruption and abuse going on at Orient and with that Officer Brock who had arrested hundreds of people wrongly on DUI, you never know. Maybe this cop was another Brock.

[Edward]

"...detected an odor of alcohol on his breath and bloodshot, glassy eyes...After a field sobriety test, Bucher concluded June "exhibited clues of impairment." Isn't that what they write on all DUI arrests?? Heck, those phrases are preprinted on the police report. Anyway, glad he beat the rap. He's too important to this community to be distracted by this stuff. Now he can get back to playing ball.

[Luis]

The guy went out and celebrated his birthday with some drinks, so what! People have become so ultra sensitive. I'm glad the State's Attorney AGREED that this case was a joke and needed to be dropped.

[Catofanclub]

I have know this young man since he was a junior in high school. He graduated with honors and was rated as one of the 50 top high school football players in the country. He played 4 years at Michigan and is a very down to earth, quiet, and laid back person. I have seen him work with kids at football camps who adored him. He is a new proud daddy and is getting married in July. Everyone deserves a break and if seems from what is being said in the story, he deserved to have the charges dropped.

[Bucs 09 Champs!]

This is definitely a feel-good story for Bucs fans. Finally, some things are starting to go our way. If Garcia is healthy, and we can make a nice acquisition or two, we may just be celebrating another Super Bowl in Tampa baby!! Congrats Cato!

[Jake]

He had a built in defense to poor performance on the Field Sobriety tests. He had just gotten done playing 3 hours of pro-tackle football and his body was sore and fatigued. He could have easily explained away the evidence of impairment and that is why the State ditched the charge!

[Stephen_Holder]

Based on what I hear, Jake is on to something. That's all I'm saying.

[Edward]

Doesn't GHB lead to symptoms of intoxication? David Boston?

[DR]

He was drunk because he heard that his wife was at my house. we weren't playing footsies either.

[bdiddy]

eyes glassy huh, sounds like a little wacky tobacci

[Paul]

When he drinks and drives again and kills someone are you still going to be glad he beat the rap!!!!!

[DR]

Beat the rap? He made out like a bandit. If you did not drink a beer all night and are just tired, than why not blow and get it over with? If you're that tired, what's better- blowing and passing and going home or refusing to blow and getting arrested and staying in jail for 8 hours? It's terrible when a millionaire can't afford to get a cab. Instead, the millionaire abuses a terrible system that allows the guilty rich to walk.

[lost bucs]

To Cato and all Pro-football players....

First you have millions of dollars why are you driving...rent/buy a limo....pass on the 30,000 watch and pay some someone that money to be your driver, so you never have to worry about getting DUI/DWI/GHB ...Glad your off you luck just happy you did i not kill anyone while driving....rules are rules there for a reason....

[Fred]

Sun. Sept. 7 at New Orleans 1:00 p.m. FOX
Sun. Sept. 14 ATLANTA 4:05 p.m. FOX
Sun. Sept. 21 at Chicago 1:00 p.m. FOX
Sun. Sept. 28 GREEN BAY 1:00 p.m. FOX
Sun. Oct. 5 at Denver 4:05 p.m. FOX
Sun. Oct. 12 CAROLINA 1:00 p.m. FOX
Sun. Oct. 19 SEATTLE * 8:15 p.m. NBC
Sun. Oct. 26 at Dallas 1:00 p.m. FOX
Sun. Nov. 2 at Kansas City 1:00 p.m. FOX
Sun. Nov. 9 -- bye week --
Sun. Nov. 16 MINNESOTA 1:00 p.m.^ FOX
Sun. Nov. 23 at Detroit 1:00 p.m.^ FOX
Sun. Nov. 30 NEW ORLEANS 1:00 p.m.^ FOX
Mon. Dec. 8 at Carolina * 8:30 p.m. ESPN
Sun. Dec. 14 at Atlanta 1:00 p.m.^ FOX
Sun. Dec. 21 SAN DIEGO * 8:15 p.m.^ NBC
Sun. Dec. 28 OAKLAND 1:00 p.m.^ CBS

[jason]

everyone has the right to refuse. It is a right. Maybe we as a people we forget that fact. Maybe he had a few drinks and was unsure if he would pass. His right. Maybe he felt he was being singled out for no reason except dwb. Maybe the cop was a jerk to him. Also, a lot of people with money do not like drivers because drivers end up telling their personal business. Also it seems to many a bit uppity to have a personal driver. Some just like to drive the vehicles they pay for. people that say he beat the rap are assuming their was a case. If you refuse and fail a field test blood is drawn at the hospital, at least in most states. I have a friend who refuse and he had his case thrown out. did cost him some money for the attorney but was worth the fees versus the fines.

[DR]

DWB? Forget the fact he was driving 20MPH over the speed limit. You're reaching with that comment.

[tampa]

Last year, I was pulled over with a Diabetic in the car. The officer refused medical attention to my passenger. It gave me chills to watch Cato June's arrest Video online as it was exactly like mine. The blood shot eyes, smell of alchol, etc. They have a canned speech as they know exactly what to say to normally get prosecution. TPD is SOOOOOO corrupt. I am now in the process of considering legal action. However, was told by HillsCo Dep that if I do, I will be stalked, harrassed and tormented. Not sure if it is worth it.

I am at least going to the attorney that is representing the inmate that was dumped out of his chair as I had given the attorney representing a document, with names of officers guilty of similar offenses. He said "What do you want me to do with this, they are all bad and there is nothing you can do" now he is representing her. Interesting.