2012 CT 005873 NC – Sarasota County – February 2013
Charge: DUI w/ Breath test refusal
Result: Found not guilty after a jury trial

Defendant was stopped for not having headlights on. Signs of intoxication were noted by Sarasota Sheriff’s department DUI Task Force deputy, who asked defendant to perform field sobriety tests. Deputy believed driver did poorly, and arrested him for DUI. At the jail, the defendant refused a breath test. State Attorney’s office would not negotiate a resolution prior to trial. Attorney Darren Finebloom presented evidence at trial to refute the arguments of the State Attorney’s office, and after hearing both sides of the case, the jury returned a verdict of not guilty. The defendant was acquitted of all charges.

2012 CT 007372 NC – Sarasota County – December 2012
Charge: DUI
Result: Reduced to Reckless Driving and Withhold of Adjudication

Defendant was stopped by Florida Highway Patrol because tag light was out. Trooper noted signs of intoxication and requested driver perform field sobriety tests, on which he believed she did poorly. Driver was arrested and refused a breath test at the jail. Attorney AnneMarie Rizzo’s independent investigation of the stop uncovered legal issues and improperly followed procedures, so she filed a motion with the court to suppress the evidence in the case. Upon receipt of the motion, the State Attorney’s office agreed to reduce the DUI charge to reckless driving, withholding adjudication so that the client may expunge her record.

8239-XFA – Hillsborough County – November 2012
Charge: DUI
Result: Charges Reduced w/ no conviction

Defendant was stopped in South Tampa on Platt Street for driving the wrong way on Westland Street.  Upon contact, officers smelled alcohol on her breath and requested that she perform field sobriety exercises.  She refused to perform them and refused to provide a breath sample.   The charge was amended to a reckless driving with no conviction.

CTC111721XEOAN – Pinellas County – November 2012
Charge: DUI
Result: Reckless Driving

At 5:30 AM, on his way to the airport to travel and visit his daughter, defendant’s right rear tire blew.  He was not familiar with the area, and traveled on the flat tire looking for a gas station.  Ultimately, he was stopped by Pinellas County Sheriff who immediately suspected that the 60 year old defendant was impaired.  During the Field Sobriety Exercises, the defendant (a Polish immigrant) had trouble understanding the instructions and according to the officer and the indications on video surveillance, failed the field sobriety exercises.   He was arrested for DUI.  Throughout yearlong intensive negotiations, the charge was reduced to a reckless driving.

4307-XGA – Hillsborough County – November 2012
Charge: DUI, 2^nd within 5
Result: Reckless Driving

Defendant was stopped for driving too slow and using his blinker without turning.   Officers followed him for several minutes noting that his driving pattern was erratic and pulled him over.  The DUI officer requested that he perform Field Sobriety Exercises which, according to the officer he failed.  After being arrested, defendant refused the breath test.   During negotiations with the state attorney, Stephen Higgins argued that video evidence was nonexistent regarding the field sobriety exercises and that the stop was questionable.  Ultimately, the charge was reduced to Reckless Driving saving the defendant from a five year driver’s license restriction and jail time.

1804-XBO – Hillsborough County – October 2012 (DUI Case)

Defendant was charged with a second offense DUI within five years.   He was observed by Florida Highway patrol on I4 weaving within his lane, crossing over lane markers and failing to maintain his lane.  Trooper Drake requested that he perform FSE’s, which he was unable to do.  Post arrest, he refused to provide a breath sample.  Stephen Higgins was able to get the charge reduced preventing defendant’s license from being suspended for five years.

State v. PAR 2012 CT 006268 NC  (Sarasota County)

The Defendant was stopped at the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office for erratic driving.  He was subsequently requested to perform field sobriety tests.  The Defendant refused to cooperate with the police investigation.  He was arrested for DUI.  Darren Finebloom set the case for trial and the state reduced the DUI to reckless driving.

Sarasota County 2010 CT 015357 NC

Defendant found not guilty in less than 20 minutes by jury trial. The Defendant went out with a friend on Thanksgiving weekend. His friend drove to Siesta Key where the Defendant consumed some alcohol between 4-6 beers. Darren Finebloom proved at trial that he took a cab home from Siesta key. Once home he took a prescribed ambien. The next thing he remembers is waking up in a jail cell. Darren Finebloom took the case to trial as the State did not believe the defense. Darren Finebloom and Anne Marie Rizzo presented their case along with expert testimony on sleep driving to the jury. The cops testified they found the Defendant passed out in the drive thru line at Mcdonalds. The Defendant smelled of alcohol and refused a breath test. Once final arguments were done the Jury took less than 20 minutes to find the Defendant not guilty.

2011 CT 015631 SC

The Defendant was stopped by the Sarasota Sheriff DUI Task Force for failing to stop at a stop sign. He was requested to perform field sobriety tests and admitted to impairment. After completing the Felid Sobriety exercises the Defendant was arrested and asked to take a breath test. The Defendant refused to blow into the Intoxilyzer 8000. Darren Finebloom filed a motion to suppress any statements and set the case for trial. Shortly before the trial the state reduced the DUI charge and the Client pled to a reckless driving with no conviction so he can seal the record.

2011 CT 011492 SC

Sarasota County

The Defendant was stopped for speeding and failing to maintain a single lane by the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office.  Based upon the odor of alcohol and the failure to produce the proper insurance card for the vehicle a DUI investigation was begun.   The Defendant refused to perform any tests and was subsequently arrest for his third DUI.  Darren Finebloom closely scrutinized the case, set the case for trial  and on the morning of trial the State reduced the charge to reckless driving.