March 2010 – Judge Lefler

NO CONVICTION FOR ANY CHARGE –Defendant was stopped for weaving and failing to maintain a single lane.  Upon contact with the defendant, Tampa police officers smelled alcohol and asked her to perform FSE’s.  She failed.  She was transported to CBT at Orient Road jail and refused to provide a breath sample.  Stephen Higgins was able to get the charge amended to a Reckless Driving with no conviction.

Hillsborough – March 2010

Case 6661-XAM – Judge Thomas

Charge: DUI

Result: NO CONVICTION

Defendant, a special operative with the British Army, was observed on the corner of Kennedy and Armenia stopped at a green light.  Tampa police followed the defendant and observed him weaving over the double yellow lines.  Defendant was stopped and asked to perform field sobriety exercises, which he failed.  He provided breath samples of .124 and .126.  Despite evidence of DUI, Stephen Higgins was able to get the DUI charge amended to a Reckless Driving with no probation. .

April 2010

Case 1778-XDY – Judge Conrad

Result – NO CONVICTION FOR DUI

Defendant was observed to be sleeping behind the wheel at a green light on the corner of Duncan Road and US HWY 301.  Deputies arrived and requested that she perform FSE, which she failed.  Defendant refused to provide a breath sample.  Pending a motion to suppress based on an illegal stop, Stephen Higgins was able to get the DUI charge amended to a Reckless Driving with no conviction.

April 2010

Case 6468-XEL – Judge McNeil

Charge: DUI

Result: NO CONVICTION FOR DUI

Defendant was stopped on Turkey Creek Road for speeding.  Defendant had bloodshot, watery eyes, slurred speech and an odor of alcohol on her breath.  She was unable to satisfactorily complete the Field Sobriety Test and was arrested.  She later provided breath samples of .102 and .100.  Despite evidence of impairment, Stephen Higgins argued lack of probable cause for the arrest and was able to get the charge amended to a Reckless Driving.

April 6, 2010

Case number 6436-XAM  – Judge Huey

Charge: DUI

Result: NO CONVICTION – NO LICENSE SUSPENSION

Defendant was stopped on Howard Ave. for erratic driving and for almost rear-ending a taxi cab.  Upon contact, Tampa Police Officers smelled an odor of alcohol on his breath.  Defendant was unable to follow instructions during the field sobriety exercises and was arrested.  The defendant refused to provide a breath sample.  Stephen Higgins got the charge amended to a Reckless Driving with no conviction and he beat the DMV suspension of defendant’s license.

April 14, 2010

Case Number 7565-XEF – Judge Lefler

Charge: DUI

Result: NO DUI CONVICTION

Defendant was stopped for traveling over the solid white bar at a pedestrian cross walk.  The defendant was then observed driving straight in a right turn only lane.  Tampa Police Officers smelled an odor of alcohol on her breath and she failed field sobriety exercises.  At Central Breath Testing at the Orient Road Jail, defendant provided a breath sample of .158.  Stephen Higgins argued that there was lack of probable cause for the stop of her vehicle, and despite the breath sample, kept his client from being convicted of a DUI.

Case Number 1537-XDY – Judge Huey

Charge: DUI

Result: No Conviction

Defendant, a CDL driver, was observed by Hillsborough County Deputy for speeding 70 in a 45 MPH zone. After being stopped, the Defendant performed field sobriety exercises and failed.  Defendant was transported to Orient Road jail where he provided breath samples of .103 and .109.  Defendant also admitted to drinking 4 Corona beers.  Despite the evidence of impairment, Stephen Higgins was able to get the charge amended to a Reckless Driving.

Case number 2849-XDY – Judge McNeil

Charge: DUI

Result: NO  CONVICTION

Defendant was operating a motor vehicle in Hillsborough County and was stopped by Hillsborough County Deputies for an expired tag.  Deputies smelled alcohol and the defendant admitted to drinking.  He failed Field Sobriety Exercises but refused the breath sample.  Stephen Higgins argued lack of probable cause to arrest and was able to get the charge amended to Reckless Driving.

Hillsborough - May 11, 2010

Case 7153-XEF – Judge Conrad

Charge: DUI

Result: NO CONVICTION

Defendant was stopped by Hillsborough Deputies after they observed her car hit and drive over a curb.  Defendant had trouble exiting the car and was unable to perform the field sobriety exercises.  She later admitted to drinking, but refused to provide a breath sample.  On the eve of trial, Stephen Higgins got the charge amended to Reckless Driving.

May 12, 2010

Hillsborough - Case 6321-XEL – Judge Courtney

Charge: DUI

Result: NO CONVICTION

Defendant retained Stephen Higgins on his DUI.   Defendant was stopped for following too closely and failure to maintain a single lane.  Deputies smelled alcohol and requested that defendant perform field sobriety exercises, which defendant failed.  He refused to provide a breath sample.   Stephen was able to beat the license suspension at the DMV allowing defendant to reinstate his full driving privileges.  On the criminal side of the case, Stephen was able to get the charge amended to a Reckless Driving, with no conviction, no probation and no community service hours.