2012 CT 004127 SC
Charge: 2nd DUI within 5 years
Result: DUI Charge Completely Dismissed

Driver was stopped for an equipment violation, the stopping deputy noticed signs of impairment and called out a DUI officer.  Darren Finebloom proved the stopping officer did nothing to further the investigation while waiting for the DUI cop to arrive.  He moved to suppress all evidence obtained from the illegal detention, the motion was granted and all evidence was suppressed resulting in the DUI charge being thrown out.

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. DM 2009 CT 2755  (Manatee County)

The Defendant was charged with a third offense DUI. DUI Lawyer Darren Finebloom was able to keep the case in misdemeanor court.  The Defendant was alleged to have been driving northbound on US 301 on a flat tire with no headlights or taillights.  The Defendant performed field sobriety tests and was arrested for DUI.  The state was seeking one year in jail.  Darren Finebloom tried the case two times both hung juries.  Based on the fact that no jury could convict the Defendant the State of Florida finally dropped the DUI and the Defendant plead to reckless driving with no conviction for DUI.

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.