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.
2011 CT 003652
Manatee County
The Defendant was accused of running a red light and causing an accident. Manatee county Sheriff arrived on the scene and noticed a few beer cans around the accident location and smelled alcohol on the defendant. The Deputy began a DUI investigation and subsequently arrested the Defendant for DUI. The Defendant blew a .059 under the legal limit. However, the Deputy then asked for the Defendant to provide a urine sample. The urine result came back positive for marijuana. Darren Finebloom requested depositions of the arresting officer and showed conclusively that the Officer had no probable cause to request a urine sample. The State disagreed. Darren Finebloom filed a motion to suppress and argued that there was insufficient evidence to request a urine sample. The County Court Judge in Manatee County agreed and suppressed the positive marijuana sample. Shortly thereafter the DUI was completely dismissed.
Result: No Conviction
2011CT012124NC (Sarasota)
The Defendant was investigated by law enforcement when they observed his vehicle resting against a sign halfway in the roadway. When the Deputy approached the vehicle the Defendant appeared to be passed out. When the Deputy awoke the Defendant he observed him to have a strong odor of alcohol, bloodshot watery eyes, slurred speech and to be disoriented. The Defendant admitted to drinking. The Defendant refused to perform field sobriety tests and to give a breath test. The Defendant was nervous about the charges he was facing immediately hired AnneMarie Rizzo after being recommended to her by a former client. AnneMarie took the sworn testimony of the Deputy and filed a motion to suppress all of the State’s evidence in the case. At the motion hearing AnneMarie convinced the Prosecutor to reduce the charge to Reckless Driving and kept her client from ever losing his driver’s license or being formally convicted.
Result: No Conviction
2011CF006214NC (Sarasota)
The Defendant was stopped for traffic infractions. When the Deputy made contact with the Defendant he observed him to have a odor of alcohol, poor balance, bloodshot watery eyes and slurred speech. At this time the Defendant was requested to perform field sobriety tests and began questioning the Deputy as to his reasons for requesting them. A struggle ensued between the Deputy and the Defendant. The Defendant was ultimately arrested and charged with DUI and Felony Battery on a Law Enforcement officer. The Defendant was nervous and scared and came to the Law Firm of Finebloom and Haenel for help. Here he met with AnneMarie Rizzo. The State Attorney’s did not want to give their client a deal as the Deputy claimed to have several injuries due to the Defendant’s actions. AnneMarie investigated the case and the Deputy thoroughly. After long fight AnneMarie convinced the Prosecutor to drop the charges of DUI and Battery on a law enforcement officer. Ultimately AnneMarie’s client resolve the case to obstruction of an investigation without violence and did not receive any conviction.
Result: No Conviction
2009CT011870NC (Sarasota)
The Defendant was stopped for speeding by a DUI traffic Deputy. When she was stopped the Deputy state she noticed her to have an order of alcohol, blood shot and watery eyes. The Deputy had her perform field sobriety tests of which she felt she did not perform well. The Defendant hired AnneMarie Rizzo to fight her DUI. AnneMarie investigated the case, filed motions to keep the breath test results from being used against her client and presented to the Prosecutor the several reasons to drop the DUI charge to Reckless Driving. After two years of fighting AnneMarie was successful. AnneMarie’s client didn’t even receive a formal conviction.
Result: No Conviction
2009CT00576NC (Sarasota)
The Defendant was stopped by a Deputy for speeding. When the Deputy approached the Defendant he noticed him to have bloodshot eyes, slurred speech and an odor of alcohol coming from him. He also stated the Defendant’s coordination was poor. After the Deputy made these initial observations he had him he requested a DUI unit to come to administer field sobriety tests. After the field sobriety tests the Defendant was arrested for DUI. At the jail the Defendant provided two breath samples with results over double the legal limit. The team at Finebloom and Haenel,David Haenel,Darren Finebloom, and AnneMarie Rizzo worked together to show multiple perspectives on the problems with the State’s case and got the breath test results thrown out. After intense negotiations and litigating the case for 2 years AnneMarie Rizzo convinced the State Attorney to reduced the charge to Reckless Driving.
Result: No Conviction
2010CT002096NC (SARASOTA)
The Defendant was stopped for speeding and cutting off traffic. The Deputy that stopped her described her has being smashed and called for a DUI investigator. The Deputy noticed her to have a strong odor of alcohol coming from her, blank look about her face, glassy eyes and slurred speech. The Defendant performed the field sobriety tests and was arrested for DUI. After she was arrested she gave to breath test samples over a .08. OnceDavid Haenel and AnneMarie Rizzo were hired to defend her case she took sworn testimony from the Officers and gather evidence to support her client’s defense. Additionally, AnneMarie was able to successfully prevent the State from being able to use the breath test samples against her client on two separate legal grounds. AnneMarie was able to show the Prosecutor the weaknesses in the case and convinced him to reduce the charge to Reckless Driving with no formal conviction on her client’s record.
Result: No Conviction
2010CT015425NC (SARASOTA)
The Defendant was out at a local bar and was seen by law enforcement leaving the bar under the influence. The officer then saw the Defendant driving by and waiving at him. He then went to his patrol car to try to catch up to the Defendant’s vehicle. After he caught up to the vehicle and observed it swerving he stopped the car. At that time the person in the driver’s seat of the car was not the same person that had drove by and waived. The officer then called for a DUI traffic deputy to investigate. At this time he informed the Deputy he felt they switched seats. The Defendant then was asked to perform field sobriety tests and admitted to driving before the stop. She then was arrested and taken to jail where she gave a breath test over the limit. AnneMarie Rizzo was hired and began to investigate the case. After poking holes in the State’s case and arguing a motion to exclude evidence AnneMarie successfully had the charge reduced to a Reckless Driving.
Result: No Conviction
2010CT002609NC (SARASOTA)
The Defendant was stopped for multiple traffic infractions. When the Deputy made contact with him he noticed signs of impairment. The Deputy called for a member of the DUI task force to further investigate. The DUI deputy asked the Defendant to do field sobriety tests. He performed these tests. The Deputy arrested him for DUI stating he did not perform well on the tests. After he was arrested the Deputy asked him for a breath test and he provided two unlawful samples. AnneMarie Rizzo relentlessly fought for her client. After many negotiations with the Prosecutor AnneMarie got the charges reduced to a Reckless Driving with no formal conviction.
Result: No Conviction
2011CT004773SC (SARASOTA)
The Defendant was stopped for speeding and almost causing an accident. When contacted by law enforcement they noticed he had bloodshot watery eyes, an odor of alcohol, and slurred speech. The Deputies also stated they noticed she was having trouble balancing. The Defendant willingly participated in the Field Sobriety Tests of which the Deputies said he did not do well. The Defendant was then arrested for DUI and refused to give a breath test. As soon as David Haeneland AnneMarie Rizzo were retained they zealously began to advocate for their client to get him the best possible result. AnneMarie and David set the case for trial challenging the State’s evidence. Ultimately the Prosecutor agreed to reduce the charge to Reckless Driving.
