25-04-2025
Florida judge arrested on DUI charge, found with cocaine during traffic stop: affidavit
JENSEN BEACH, Fla. (WFLA) — A Florida judge will appear on the other side of the courtroom after a traffic stop led to his arrest earlier this week.
Brett Waronicki, a circuit judge for Florida's 19th Judicial Circuit in Fort Pierce, was arrested Wednesday on charges of DUI and possession of drug paraphernalia.
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Deputies with the Martin County Sheriff's Office spotted a Ford F-150 swerving in a lane, striking the fog line and a bike lane several times and going through a roundabout without any lights on around 10:41 p.m. on NW Jensen Beach Blvd.
When Waronicki was pulled over, authorities noted a strong alcoholic smell on his breath, bloodshot, watery eyes, slurred 'thick tongue' speech, body tremors and trouble sitting still, the affidavit said.
The judge told deputies he was going to pick up two friends and head back to his home, before admitting he had had two vodka drinks, having his last drink at 6:30 that night.
Court documents show Waronicki did not want to do field sobriety exercises because he 'did nothing wrong,' and refused an alcohol breath test.
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A K-9 searched Waronicki's vehicle, discovering cocaine residue in Waronicki's wallet. The circuit judge was taken to the Martin County Jail, along with the two passengers in his vehicle, who were also cited for possession of cocaine.
A statement from the 19th Judicial Circuit, obtained by NBC affiliate WPTV, read in part:
All cases currently assigned to Circuit Judge Brett M. Waronicki will be re-noticed for hearing before a temporary duty judge, when available, consistent with the chief judge's authority under court rules. The chief judge will take steps to ensure the speedy, efficient, and proper administration of pending and filed cases within the circuit. Litigants with questions regarding any schedule changes to upcoming hearings may visit the St. Lucie Clerk of Court website to locate up-to-date information.
According to WPTV, two people came forward about Waronicki's drug use. For several weeks, narcotics investigators with the sheriff's office have been looking into the judge.
Waronicki is scheduled to appear in court on May 22.
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