2009 CT17330NC

This client was pulled over for what police said was not stopping at a stop sign. Following the stop officers observed that the defendant showed signs of impairment including glassy eyes and an odor of alcohol. There were open Bud Light cans in the vehicle and an 18-pack in the back seat. The defendant admitted to the officers that he had drunk about 5 or 6 beers. At that point he was asked to perform field sobriety tests and was then arrested for DUI. He was taken to jail and refused a breath test. Attorney David Haenel represented this client as was able to get his DUI charges reduced to a Reckless Driving with a withhold of adjudication.

Case# 2010CT000884

Our client was stopped by Florida Highway Patrol after several motorists on the interstate called 911 reporting his reckless driving. These motorists claimed our client was swerving in and out of traffic and off the road, almost hitting the guardrail at one point. After the Florida Highway Patrol Trooper stopped our client he noticed a strong odor of alcohol coming from our client and stated he seemed unsteady. Our client refused to perform any roadside field sobriety tests and refused to give a breath test. The client was arrested for DUI. AnneMarie Rizzo gathered evidence and mounted a defense for her client’s case. The Prosecutor was unwilling to negotiate the case and AnneMarie challenged the State’s evidence at trial. After two days of trial AnneMarie convinced the jury to return a verdict of NOT GUILTY for her client.

DUI Drug Charge Reduced To Reckless Following St. Patrick’s Day Stop

Sarasota 2010CT003165

This Finebloom and Haenel client was stopped for running a red light on St. Patrick’s Day. The officers who stopped the defendant accused our client of driving on prescription medication and drinking beer. Our client admitted to drinking two beers and refused both field sobriety tests and a breath test. AnneMarie Rizzo filed a motion to suppress the evidence and insisted that the Officers didn’t follow procedure properly. AnneMarie set the case for trial and the State reduced the DUI charges to Reckless Driving.

The Defendant was travelling southbound on Tamiami Trail in Sarasota County when he was pulled over by the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office for speeding.   The Deputy alleged to have seen signs of impairment including, slurred speech, odor of alcohol, and bloodshot watery eyes.  The Defendant admitted to coming from a bar and stated he had two Long Island iced teas.  The Sarasota County Deputy had the Defendant perform Standardized Field Sobriety tests.  Upon completion of the tests the Defendant was arrested for DUI.  He took a breath test and a urine test.  Darren Finebloom set the case for trial and did not waive the Defendant right to a speedy trial.  On the morning of trial the State dropped the DUI charge.

The Defendant was in a traffic accident and during the course of the crash investigation the officer reported smelling the odor of alcohol on one of the people at the scene. He then switched to a DUI investigation of the Defendant. Upon further investigation the officer said the Defendant swayed while he was walking, had bloodshot, watery eyes and slurred speech. The Defendant attempted to perform Field Sobriety Tests including the eye test (Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus) and the walk and turn. The Defendant stopped responding to the officer’s requests during the walk and turn and would not answer the officer when he asked if the Defendant was refusing to complete the Field Sobriety Tests. The Defendant was then placed under arrest for DUI with property damage. At the Sarasota County Jail the Defendant refused to take a breath test. Despite his refusal to take a breath test and his results on the field sobriety tests, attorney David Haenel convinced the State not to file charges in the DUI case.

The Defendant was stopped for speeding and driving carelessly. When the Defendant was stopped by law enforcement the Deputy noticed an odor of alcohol and that he appeared disoriented. The Deputy called out a specialized DUI deputy to further investigate the Defendant. The DUI deputy noticed the same indicators of impairment along with bloodshot eyes and slow speech. The Deputy asked the Defendant to perform several field sobriety tests including the eye test (horizontal gaze nystagmus), the walk and turn, and one leg stand. The Deputy arrested the Defendant for driving under the influence. Once at the jail, the Defendant provided two breath samples with the results of .131 and .126. After his arrest the Defendant hired the Law Firm of Finebloom and Haenel. AnneMarie Rizzo and David Haenel immediately began their independent investigation to attack the State’s case against the Defendant. AnneMarie Rizzo and David Haenel were able to successfully suppress the breath test results. Therefore, the State was not allowed to use the breath test against the Defendant. The State then reduced the DUI charge to Reckless Driving.

The Defendant was stopped for DUI twice within the same year. Darren Finebloom filed motions to exclude the breath test in both cases. Not only did Darren win both of the Defendant’s license hearings he got both breath tests excluded from evidence. The first breath test was above a .120 and on the second case it was above a .200. After intense negotiations we were able to get one DUI reduced to reckless driving and prevent any jail or license suspension.