Dash Cam Video Shows Arrest Of Broward Judge
FORT LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) - Cynthia Imperato, a Broward circuit judge since 2003, was arrested for suspicion of drunk driving. Captured on police dash cam is Imperato—handcuffed and walking on the side of the road in Boca Raton.
The police dash cam video, from the night Imperato was arrested for suspicion of drunk driving, begins with a traffic stop, but when the judge refused to get out of her car, she was put in handcuffs.
In the dash cam video, you hear the officer say, "I've asked you nicely, several times, to step out of the car. Are you refusing to exit the vehicle?" Imperato's answer is not audible. The officer proceeds to ask, "You seem to be because you're playing with your phone."
Imperato was stopped after another driver called 911 to report that a car was swerving.
"I want to report a drunk driver. I'm driving north on Federal Highway in Boca Raton," said the caller. "He's all over the road. He nearly side swiped me twice. He's gotta be drunk."
"Was it a male or female driver?" asked the 911 operator. "I couldn't see but he's really dangerous," the caller said.
When police, who found that the driver was indeed driving erratically, pulled over the car about an hour later, it turned out to be Judge Imperato.
When Imperato was stopped, she told police she would not do anything until she spoke to her lawyer, "I'm going to sit in my car until I get my lawyer on the phone," said Imperato, captured on the dash cam.
After refusing, Police handcuffed Imperato and explained to the judge that they were going to conduct a DUI investigation.
The dash cam captures Imperato's walk from her car, to the police car.
Since the alleged drunk driving incident, Judge Imperato has been taken off the criminal bench and is hearing foreclosure trials.
