Case Results
This list is given for informational purposes only and is in no way indicative of your case outcome. The facts differ substantially in every particular case and the attorneys in our firm will fight for the best possible outcome for you.
Manatee Case 2009 CT 001981
The police were dispatched to a 911 call of a driver unable to maintain a single lane. The Defendant was ultimately stopped by the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office and asked to perform roadside field sobriety tests. This case involved a DUI with prescription medications and not alcohol. Following the Defendant’s performance on the field sobriety exercises he was arrested and taken to the Manatee County Jail for a breath test where he blew a .000. After the breath test, a drug recognition expert was called to the jail to conduct a DRE evaluation. The Defendant submitted to a urine test, which came back positive for his medication. David Haenel set the case for trial and on the morning of the jury pick, the state amended the charge to reckless driving and the Defendant received a withhold of adjudication, meaning no conviction on his record.
Polk County 09-CT-4128, 09-CT-4129
The Florida Highway Patrol was dispatched for a traffic crash that occurred in the parking lot of a commercial business in Lakeland. The trooper made contact with the Defendant and began a criminal investigation for Driving Under the Influence with property damage and leaving the scene of an accident. The Defendant holds a CDL license and was driving a commercial vehicle at the time of the accident. The Defendant, who was on prescribed medications, performed roadside field sobriety exercises and was ultimately arrested for 2 counts of driving under the influence with property damage and leaving the scene of an accident. David Haenel set the case for trial and the state attorney dropped one count of DUI and the leaving the scene, and amended the other driving under the influence charge to a reckless driving. The Defendant received a withhold of adjudication, no conviction and no driver’s license suspension. An amazing result considering he is a commercial driver and a DUI conviction would destroy his livelihood.
DUI REFUSAL REDUCED TO RECKLESS DRIVING AND POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA DISMISSED
2009MM003789NC
The Defendant was stopped for traveling at a high rate of speed and swerving in and out of his lane. When the Defendant was approached by law enforcement officers they immediately noticed an odor of alcohol, bloodshot watery eyes and very slurred speech. The Deputies asked the Defendant to step out of the vehicle and noticed that the Defendant was unsteady on his feet when he was standing and walking. The Deputies asked the Defendant to perform field sobriety exercises. The Defendant did the eye test (also known as horizontal gaze nystagmus), the walk and turn exercise, and the one leg stand exercise. After performing the exercises the Deputies arrested the Defendant. During the search of the Defendant’s person and vehicle the Deputies found marijuana in his possession. After the Defendant’s arrest the Deputies requested the Defendant to give a breath test. The Defendant refused to give a breath test. AnneMarie Rizzo quickly began to gather evidence in support of her client’s defense. AnneMarie took depositions and filed a motion to suppress the marijuana. The Judge granted the motion to suppress and the marijuana charge was ultimately dismissed. At the administrative DMV hearing AnneMarie also convinced the DMV to invalidate her client’s license suspension and won his license back. AnneMarie set the case for trial. The week before trial the Prosecutor agreed to drop the DUI to a Reckless Driving. The Defendant never went without a license and also received a withhold of adjudication meaning he wasn’t convicted of any offense.
2008 CF 015307 NC SARASOTA COUNTY
VIOLATION: Felony Drug Possession (marijuana)
MAXIMUM POSSIBLE PUNISHMENT: 5 years
The Defendant was on the campus of a local university when he was confronted by law enforcement. The marijuana was found in the common area of a dorm, although the Defendant admitted to control of the drugs. Darren Finebloom and AnneMarie Rizzo convinced the prosecutor that this was an isolated incident, and because of his lack of criminal history the Defendant was accepted into the pretrial intervention program. If the Defendant successfully completes the program, the charges against him will be dropped. The Defendant will then qualify to have his criminal record expunged.
2007CF006486NC SARASOTA COUNTY
TRAFFICKING IN OXYCODONE > 4 GRAMS
The Defendant was a 67 year old with no prior record. He was involved in a major car accident and just recovering from triple bypas surgery. A friend made advances to get him to sell her oxycodone of which the Defendant was prescribd for his pain. She eventually convinced him to sell her a trafficking amount of oxycodone and the Defendant was arrested and faced a three year minimum mandatory prison sentence. Darren Finebloom after lengthy negotiations with the State attorney’s office was able to get the charge reduced and the Defendant was given a probationary sentence. The Defendant was facing a 3 year minimum mandatory sentence.
2008 CF 007728 NC SARASOTA COUNTY
VIOLATION: Felony Possession of Marijuana
MAXIMUM PUNISHMENT: 5 Years
RESULT: The Defendant was stopped for speeding. Pursuant to the traffic stop the Officer asked the Defendant to produce his licnese and registration. The Defendant complied. The Officer got the Defendant out of the vehicle and ran a check on the Defendant. The Officer then conducted a pat down search of the Defendant’s person and found 25 grams of Marijuana. Darren Finebloom filed a motion to suppress based on the illegal pat down search as the officer had no basis to conduct this search. After reviewing the motion the State Attorney’s Office which was looking to send the Defendant to prision reduced the charge to a misdemeanor and withheld adjudication. No license suspension, no Jail, no probation. The Defendant simply paid the court costs.
2008 MM 007698 NC SARASOTA COUNTY
VIOLATION: Possession of Marijuana/Open Container
MAXIMUM PUNISHMENT: 1 Year
RESULT: Darren Finebloom filed and won a motion to suprpess all evidence and the charges were dismissed.
2008 CF 005709 NC SARASOTA COUNTY
VIOLATION: POSSESSION OF COCAINE, THEFT
MAXIMUM PUNISHMENT: 5 years
RESULT: Darren Finebloom performed an intense investigation of the accusations and provided that information to the State Attorney. Based on this early investigation the charges were declined.
2008 CF 005709 NC SARASOTA COUNTY
VIOLATION: POSSESSION OF COCAINE
FACING: 5 years State Prison
RESULT: All charges dismissed. Darren Finebloom immediatley began investigating the allegations. After thorough investigation Darren Finebloom was able to convince the State Attorney to drop the charges.
2008 CF 000819 MANATEE COUNTY
VIOLATION: INTRODUCTION OF CONTRABAND INTO A DETENTION FACILITY AND DOMESTIC BATTERY:
FACING: 5 years State Prison
Result: Darren Finebloom immediatley began investigating the charges. After a thorough investigation Darren Finebloom was able to convince the State Attorney to drop the charges.
2007 CF 014056 NC SARASOTA COUNTY
VIOLATION: Possession of controlled substance, Trespass, Disorderly Conduct, and Obstruction
FACING: up to 5 years state prison
RESULT: Darren Finebloom got the charges dismissed prior to a trial.
CRC0726346CFANO PINELLAS COUNTY
VIOLATION TRAFFICKING IN HYDROCODONE > 28 grams
FACING: MINIMUM OF 25 YEARS STATE PRISON
RESULT: The client was facing a mandatory minimum 25 year prison sentence. Darren Finebloom immediatley hired a private investigator to interview the witnesses in the vehicle where the pills were found. That information was provided to the State Attorney and the charge was dropped.
2007 CF 000394 DESOTO COUNTY
VIOLATION: FELONY SALE OF NARCOTIC PARAPHERNALIA
FACING: up to 5 years state prison
RESULT: Darren Finebloom got the charges dismissed prior to a trial.
