The “Translation” of a Police Report: Understanding BOLO Stops in Orlando

By: John Guidry

Whenever our government seeks to interrupt the movement of citizens, they are typically met with the question, “Why did you stop me, officer?” Of course, police are human, and they make mistakes just like the rest of us. But after more than twenty years of defending criminal cases in Orlando, I’ve seen a few patterns emerge.

There’s the “Truth” version of facts, and then there’s the “Lie” version that ends up in the official police report.

• TRUTH: “I stopped him because he’s in a neighborhood where I think he doesn’t belong, and I don’t like his car.”
• LIE: “I stopped him at midnight because I could see through his illegal tint and noticed he wasn’t wearing a seatbelt.”

Sure, some cops claim a “Peter Parker-style” super-sense where they can detect illegal tint levels in total darkness or smell a “wake and bake” from twelve hours ago. And as of 2025, the “odor of cannabis” fabrication is hitting a major wall in Florida courts.

Stopped by police based on “odor” or a vague BOLO description? In 2025, the law is shifting in your favor. Call John Guidry today at (407) 423-1117 to protect your Fourth Amendment rights.

The Legal Breakdown: Stinson v. State and the BOLO Trap

Not all traffic stops are based on seatbelt fibs. Some are based on citizen complaints known as BOLO (Be On the Lookout) reports. Our Constitution permits the government to stop us if we match a BOLO, but only if the report is reliable and detailed.

In Stinson v. State, 117 So. 3d 859 (Fla. 4th DCA 2013), we saw a classic failure of proof:

• The BOLO: Dispatch described several males involved in a disturbance. The suspect was wearing a white shirt and black or dark shorts.
• The Stop: Police spotted Stinson wearing a white shirt, black shorts, and a heavy black leather jacket. (The BOLO never mentioned a jacket).
• The “Popping Out” Drugs: When police confronted Stinson at his home and took his jacket, they claimed a bottle of pills and baggies “kind of popped up.”

In the language of “Police-to-English” translation, when drugs “pop out,” it usually means the police had no constitutional right to search, so they claim the evidence just conveniently revealed itself.

The 2025 Update: The Death of “Plain Smell” Probable Cause

As of October 1, 2025, a major shift occurred in Florida search and seizure law. In the landmark en banc decision Williams v. State (No. 2D2023-2200), the Second District Court of Appeal ruled that the odor of cannabis, by itself, is no longer enough to establish probable cause for a search.

Because hemp and medical marijuana are legal and smell identical to illegal “street” weed, the court ruled that smell is no longer an “immediately apparent” indicator of criminal activity. While this is currently binding in the 2nd DCA (Tampa/Pasco/Pinellas), it is the “writing on the wall” for the rest of Florida, including Orange and Seminole County.

John’s Takeaways

• Anonymous Tips Require Corroboration: As shown in the Stinson case, an anonymous tip is barely trustworthy. Police cannot stop you unless they see something suspicious or criminal to back up that tip.
• Walking Away is Not a Crime: Simply walking away from the police—as Stinson did—does not provide “reasonable suspicion” for a detention.
• BOLO Accuracy Matters: If you don’t match the specific details of the BOLO (like Stinson’s missing jacket), the stop is likely illegal.
• 2025 Trafficking Weights: In Florida, possessing just 4 grams of hydrocodone can trigger a 3-year mandatory minimum prison sentence. Because the stakes are so high, the legality of the stop is everything.
• Alternative Sanctions for 2025: If you are on probation and facing a technical violation (like a curfew issue related to a stop), ask about the Alternative Sanctions Program under F.S. § 948.06, which can help you avoid a warrant and jail time.

The justice system is harsh, and it’s “insane” to think that your liberty can depend on whether or not a pill bottle “popped out” of a jacket. I’ve been providing the “Rosetta Stone” for translating police reports to Central Florida citizens since 1993. Whether you are in Orlando, Sanford, or Kissimmee, I know how to spot the “typical script” and hold the State to the truth.

Facing charges from a BOLO stop? Call John at (407) 423-1117.

About John Guidry II

John Guidry II is a seasoned criminal defense attorney and founder of the Law Firm of John P. Guidry II, P.A., located in downtown Orlando next to the Orange County Courthouse, where he has practiced for over 30 years. With more than three decades of experience defending clients throughout Central Florida since 1993, Guidry has successfully defended thousands of cases in Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Brevard, Lake, and Volusia counties. He has built a reputation for his strategic approach to criminal defense, focusing on pretrial motions and case dismissals rather than jury trials.

Guidry earned both his Juris Doctorate and Master of Business Administration from St. Louis University in 1993. He is a member of the Florida Bar and the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. His practice encompasses the full spectrum of Florida state criminal charges, with a particular emphasis on achieving favorable outcomes through thorough pretrial preparation and motion practice.

Beyond the courtroom, Guidry is a prolific legal educator who has authored over 400 articles on criminal defense topics. He shares his legal expertise through his popular YouTube channel, Instagram, and TikTok accounts, where he has built a substantial following of people eager to learn about the law. His educational content breaks down complex legal concepts into accessible information for the general public.

When not practicing law, Guidry enjoys tennis and pickleball, and loves to travel. Drawing from his background as a former recording studio owner and music video producer in the Orlando area, he brings a creative perspective to his legal practice and continues to apply his passion for video production to his educational content.