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DUI AMENDED TO RECKLESS DRIVING – (NOVEMBER 2009)
Defendant was stopped for speeding and was observed by the officer to have bloodshot eyes, wavering upon exiting the vehicle and slurred speech. Defendant was unable to maintain his balance during the walk and turn test and had difficulty understanidng the deputy's instructions. Defendant was booked into Hillsborough County Jail on the charge of DUI. Tampa, Florida criminal defense attorney Stephen Higgins negotiated with the state to get the charge reduced to a Reckless Driving. (Ref. No. 8410-XAM)
DUI AMENDED TO RECKLESS DRIVING, LEAVING THE SCENE OF AN ACCIDENT – NO CONVICTION (NOVEMBER 2009)
Defendant was observed by 3 independent witnesses hitting a vehicle and leaving the scene of the accident. The witnesses spoke to the arriving deputy and positively identified the defendant as the driver. Defendant was noticeably confused during the Field Sobriety Exercises and thought he was on McDill Air Force Base. On video, after being arrested, officer found a bottle of crown royal half empty in defendant's vehicle. Despite the overwhelming evidence of impairment including a breath sample, DUI defense lawyer Stephen Higgins was able to get the DUI reduced to a Reckless Driving and keep defendant from being convicted of all charges. (Ref No. 6576-SPR)
DUI AMENDED TO RECKLESS DRIVING – NO CONVICTION (NOVEMBER 2009) (Ref. No. 0289-FXS) DUI AMENDED TO RECKLESS DRIVING – (NOVEMBER 2009)
Defendant was stopped for weaving within his lane as well as speeding. On video, defendant exited the car and showed slight signs of impairment. Defendant refused to perform Field Sobriety Exercises and refused to provide a breath sample. Tampa DUI lawyer Stephen Higgins was able to get the charge amended to a Reckless Driving. (Ref. No. 0608-XCM)
DUI AMENDED TO RECKLESS DRIVING – NO CONVICTION (NOVEMBER 2009)
Defendant was observed driving on Jefferson Street and struck the raised median and several lane dividers as he was almost thrown from his motorcycle. The stopping officer observed bloodshot eyes and smelled an odor of alcohol and contacted a DUI officer. During Field Sobriety Exercises, defendant exhibited signs of impairment and was arrested. Defendant refused to provide a breath sample. Criminal DUI lawyer, Stephen Higgins, negotiated with the state attorrney to get the charge amended to a Reckless Driving with no conviction. (Ref. No. 1109-XCM)
DUI AMENDED TO RECKLESS DRIVING – NO CONVICTION (OCTOBER 2009)
Defendant was traveling west on Brandon Blvd. and then on Falkenburg Road in Tampa, Florida and was observed by a Hillsborough County Deputy to be speeding (90/70) and driving without headlights. The Deputy smelled an odor of alcohol on his breath and requested that he perform Field Sobriety Excercises. The Deputy claimed that defendant was stumbling, failing to follow instructions and failing to maintain his balance. Defendant was unable to count backwards from 100-79. At the Hillsborough County Jail, defendant refused to provide a breath sample. Tampa, Florida DUI lawyer Stephen Higgins kept the defendant from being convicted of any charge and was able to get the charge reduced to a Reckless Driving. (Ref. No. 2847-XDY)
DUI AMENDED TO RECKLESS DRIVING – NO CONVICTION (OCTOBER 2009)
Defendant was traveling eastbound on 7th Avenue in Tampa, Florida without his headlights on. He was stopped by Tampa Police and was asked to perform Field Sobriety Excercises. Officers found a case of beer in his back seat. At the Hillsborough County Jail, he refused to provide a breath sample. Stephen Higgins, a Tampa, Florida DUI Criminal Defense Lawyer, was able to keep the defendant from being convicted of the lesser charge of Reckless Driving. (Ref. No. 6291-XAM)
DUI AMENDED TO RECKLESS DRIVING (OCTOBER 2009)
Defendant was stopped at 4 o'clock in the afternoon by Hillsborough County Deputies for weaving on Dale Mabry in Tampa, Florida. Defendant spoke to the deputies and admitted to drinking the night before, but denied drinking during the day. Defendant consented to Field Sobriety Excercises and, according to the Hillsborough County Deputies, failed miserably. He was unable to stand without stumbling, unable to perform the excercises and his speech was noticeably slurred. At the Hillsborough County jail, defendant refused to provide a breath sample. Tampa, Florida DUI lawyer Stephen Higgins negotiated with the state and, on the eve of trail, kept the defendant from being convicted of a DUI. As a result of also winning the challenge to the initial license suspension, defendant never went without driving. (Ref. No. 0326-XCG)
2ND OFFENSE DUI REDUCED TO RECKLESS! (September 2009)
Defendant was observed driving on Dale Mabry and proceeded to stop too late and skidded into the intersection of Dale Mabry and Hamilton. When the light turned green, the defendant was observed to have accelerated at a high rate of speed. Deputies stopped defendant and requested that he perform field sobriety excercises, which he failed. At Pre-Trial, Tampa DUI lawyer Stephen Higgins presented inconsistencies to the state attorney contained within the police report as well as photographic evidence of the intersection where defendant was stopped. Depsite having a prior offense, the charge was reduced to a Reckless Driving. (Ref. No. 0655-XDY)
DUI AMENDED TO RECKLESS DRIVING (September 2009)
Defendant was stopped for speeding on Adamo Drive (St. Road 60) in Brandon, Florida and the Deputy noticed an odor of alcohol coming from his breath. He admitted to drinking, submitted to Field Sobriety Tests, failed, and later provided a breath sample above the legal limit. Based on Tampa DUI lawyer Stephen Higgins investigation into the facts of the case, the quality of his performance on the Field Sobriety Tests and the circumstances of his case, the DUI charge was reduced to a Reckless Driving. (Ref. No. 2090-XDY)
DUI AMENDED TO RECKLESS DRIVING – .141, .142!! (September 2009)
Defendant was observed driving in Hillsborough County and was stopped for following too closely. Officers stopped defendant, arrested him after he failed Field Sobriety Excercises and defendant later provided a breath sample of .14. Over the course of several months, Tampa DUI attorney Stephen Higgins negotiated with the state attorney regarding the video surveillance obtained in the case and was able to get the charge amended to a Reckless Driving despite the level of defendant's blow. (Ref. No. 6993-XAM)
DUI AMENDED TO RECKLESS – NO CONVICTION (September 2009)
After a night in Hyde Park – Tampa, defendant was stopped for speeding and failure to maintain a single lane. She submitted to Field Sobriety Excercises but failed. She was transproted to the jail and attempted to provide a breath sample. Deputies claimed she was improperly providing a sample, but she explained that she had asthma and was unable to blow properly. Deputies marked her case as a 'refusal'. Based on this, Tampa DUI lawyers Stephen Higgins and Darren Finebloom were able to succesfully challenge the suspension of defendant's license (and reinstate her full driving privileges) and get her DUI charge amended to a Reckless Driving – with no conviction!!
DUI AMENDED TO RECKLESS DRIVING – ALL DUI CHARGES DROPPED!
Defendant was charged with DUI in Tampa, Florida after he and a vehicle were found in a ditch. Tampa DUI lawyer Stephen Higgins, arguing vigorously on behalf of his client, refused to take an offer by the Pinellas County State Attorney's office to reduce the charge. Knowing that they could not prove that defendant was 'driving or in actual physical control of a vehicle,' Stephen pushed the case to trial. Immediately prior to a jury being sworn, the State Attorney dropped all charges. Because Stephen had won the administrative hearing regarding defendant's license, defendant never went one day without driving and no charges related to the incident will appear on his driving record. (Ref. No. CTC088661XAUASP)
DUI DROPPED!!
Defendant was pulled over in Tampa, Florida for allegedly running a red light. Defendant failed field sobriety exercises and was placed under arrest. At the jail, Sheriffs Office Personnel alleged defendant refused to provide a breath or urine analysis even after defendant provided a breath sample of .04. Counsel for the Defendant, Tampa DUI attorney Stephen Higgins, vigorously pushed the state to the brink of trial, arguing that defendant was stopped unlawfully, placed under unlawful arrest and did not refuse to provide a breath or alcohol sample. The State dropped the case. (Ref. 7518-XAM)
DUI CHARGES DROPPED!
The defendant was arrested in Tampa in his front yard at 8:00 AM for DUI. He was unable to perform field sobriety exercises and provided a breath sample of .24. Stephen Higgins refused to take any offer from the state attorney other than a dismissal. He argued that the State could not prove beyond a reasonable doubt that his client was DUI because there was no evidence the defendant was ever driving the vehicle. On the eve of trial, after lengthy negotiations, the State Attorney dismissed all charges. (Ref. 9173-XCF)
DUI DROPPED!
After being arrested in Tampa for DUI involved in an accident and later providing a breath sample of .161 and .163, the defendant absconded and moved to another state. After several months, defendant retained Tampa DUI lawyer Stephen Higgins to represent her on the DUI charges in Tampa and remove the warrant for her arrest. After reviewing the evidence, Stephen became aware that witnesses were not going to be available to testify against defendant. On the eve of trial, all DUI charges were dismissed. (Ref. 094726-J)
DUI AMENDED TO RECKLESS AND LICENSE REINSTATED! (JUNE 2009)
Defendant was pulled from a burning car by a passerby who claimed our client was in the driver's seat. Defendant left the scene and the passerby spoke to Plant City Officers on the scene. Florida Highway Patrol arrived and arrested defendant after he failed Field Sobriety Exercises. He subsequently provided a breath sample of .189. Finebloom & Haenel successfully argued to have his license suspension invalidated and, after presenting a motion to dismiss, negotiated with the state attorney to amend the charge to Reckless Driving – No Conviction with payment of court costs. (Ref. No. 9894-XAU)
DUI AMENDED TO RECKLESS DRIVING – NO CONVICTION - NO DMV LICENSE SUSPENSION (JUNE 2009)
Defendant was stopped by Temple Terrace Police department on Fowler Avenue for improper lane change and speeding. Defendant was observed by the officer to have glassy eyes and slurred speech. She failed Field Sobriety Exercises, was arrested and provided a breath sample of .107 and .103. Despite evidence of impairment, Tampa DUI attorney Stephen Higgins was able to win her DMV hearing and reinstate her full driving privileges and get her charge amended to a Reckless Driving with no conviction. (Ref. No. 5905-XDT)
DUI AMENDED TO RECKLESS DRIVING – NO CONVICTION (JUNE 2009)
Defendant was stopped on North Interstate 75 by a Hillsborough County Sheriff's Deputy for weaving within her lane and following too closely. As the officer continued to follow defendant, he observed her turn onto Sligh Avenue and strike the curb. He conducted a traffic stop and made contact with the defendant. As defendant exited the vehicle, she stumbled and leaned against the door and her breath smelled like alcohol. She was placed under arrest. Tampa DUI lawyer Stephen Higgins negotiated with the state attorney's office to get the charge amended to a Reckless Driving with no conviction! (Ref. No. 0588-XDY)
DUI AMENDED TO RECKLESS DRIVING – NO CONVICTION (JUNE 2009)
Defendant was stopped on E. Fowler by Temple Terrace Police Department for excessive speed (70 in a posted 50 MPH). Defendant was observed to have glassy eyes and slurred speech. She failed Field Sobriety Exercises because she was off balance and failed to follow instructions. She was placed under arrest and refused to provide a breath sample. At pre-trial, Tampa DUI attorney Stephen Higgins was able to get the charge amended to a Reckless Driving with no conviction. (Ref. No. 0899-XEB)
DUI AMENDED TO RECKLESS DRIVING – NO CONVICTION (JUNE 2009)
A Hillsborough County Sheriff's Deputy arrived on the scene of an accident and learned from witnesses that defendant was operating a vehicle at the time of the accident. Deputies approached the defendant and suspected that he may be impaired. Defendant failed Field Sobriety Exercises and was arrested. At the jail, defendant provided a breath sample, which indicated no alcohol in his system (.000). Defendant provided a urine sample which tested positive for illegal substances. Despite the video surveillance indicating impairment as well as positive urine results, Stephen Higgins was able to get the charge amended to Reckless Driving with no conviction. (Ref. No. 7420-GCO)
DUI AMENDED TO RECKLESS DRIVING – NO CONVICTION – (MAY 2009)
Client was stopped at a DUI checkpoint. The client performed field sobriety exercises and was arrested, later refusing the breath test. After a motion was filed regarding the checkpoint and a video of the field sobriety exercises was obtained, lawyers at Finebloom & Haenel were able to secure a Reckless Driving for the client with a withhold of adjudication. (Ref. No. 3769-XCO)
DUI AMENDED TO RECKLESS DRIVING – NO CONVICTION – CRASH! (MAY 2009)
Florida Highway Patrol arrived on the scene of an accident after client had allegedly crashed his car into a ditch. Witnesses on the scene claimed they could establish that defendant was the driver of the vehicle. Tampa DUI lawyer Stephen Higgins negotiated with the state attorney and argued that the state would not be able to produce a 'wheel witness' to prove their case. Stephen was able to resolve the case to the lesser charge of Reckless Driving with no conviction. (Ref. No. 6214-XCB)
DUI AMENDED TO RECKLESS DRIVING – NO CONVICTION (APRIL 2009)
Defendant left work at the Blue Martini in Tampa, Florida and was stopped on Brandon Blvd. for weaving within her lane. The Hillsborough County Deputy who arrived on the scene never stated that he smelled an odor of alcohol emanating from her breath and later requested defendant perform Field Sobriety Exercises. Defendant performed satisfactorily on video despite having worked until four o'clock in the morning. Defendant was arrested for DUI and refused to provide a breath sample. On the eve of a Motion to Suppress, Tampa DUI attorney Stephen Higgins negotiated with the state attorney to amend/lessen the charge to Reckless Driving with no conviction – making defendant eligible to expunge/seal her record. (Ref No. 0119-XDL)
DUI AMENDED TO RECKLESS DRIVING – NO CONVICTION (APRIL 2009)
Defendant was stopped for speeding on 301. Defendant performed very well on Field Sobriety Exercises and later provided both a breath sample as well as a urine sample. Tampa DUI lawyer Stephen Higgins negotiated with the state attorney to get the charge amended to a Reckless Driving with no conviction and defendant was never without driving even after being arrested for DUI. (Ref. No. 9735-FYR)
DUI REDUCED TO RECKLESS DRIVING – NO CONVICTION (MARCH 2009)
Defendant was stopped for running a red light on the corner of Nebraska and Bougainvillea in Tampa. Tampa Police officers conducted a traffic stop and immediately noticed the odor of alcohol coming from the defendant's vehicle. Defendant was asked to perform Field Sobriety Exercises and refused. He later refused to provide a breath sample. In court, Tampa DUI Defense Attorney Stephen Higgins was able to get the charge amended to a Reckless Driving with no conviction. (Ref. No. 8975-XAM)
DUI REDUCED TO RECKLESS DRIVING – .158 BAC!!!! (MARCH 2009)
Defendant was stopped on the corner of King Blvd. & Orient Road for weaving and failing to maintain a single lane. Defendant attempted to perform Field Sobriety Exercises but failed. After being arrested, defendant provided a breath sample of .158 and .156. After many months of negotiating regarding the facts of the case and the defendant's military status, Stephen Higgins was able to get the charge amended to a Reckless Driving, preventing defendant from losing his military position. (Ref. No. 3572-XCO)
DUI REDUCED TO RECKLESS DRIVING – NO CONVICTION (FEBRUARY 2009)
Defendant was stopped for erratic driving on Bruce B Downs Blvd. Upon contact with the defendant, the Hillsborough County Deputy smelled an odor of alcohol coming from the defendant's breath. The Deputy asked the defendant to perform field sobriety exercises, but the defendant refused. Defendant also refused to provide a breath sample. Noting the lack of evidence the state attorney had to prove impairment, Tampa DUI defense lawyer Stephen Higgins was able to get the charge reduced to a Reckless Driving without any conviction, and because the suspension of the defendant's license was invalidated by the DMV, defendant NEVER went without driving. (Ref. No. 0094-XDL)
DUI REDUCED TO RECKLESS DRIVING – NO CONVICTION (FEBRUARY 2009)
Defendant was stopped for driving the wrong direction on Cleveland Street and for failure to respond to a traffic signal on Platt Street. Upon request by the Deputy, the defendant performed Field Sobriety Exercises, but did so inadequately according to the Deputy. Defendant later refused to provide a breath sample. In his negotiations with the state attorney, Tampa DUI lawyer Stephen Higgins convinced the state attorney that the video, including the driving pattern and the performance of the FSE's was not enough to provide impairment. In court, Stephen was able to get the charge reduced to a Reckless Driving with no conviction. (Ref. No. 8760-XAM)
DUI REDUCED TO RECKLESS DRIVING (FEBRUARY 2009)
Defendant was observed to be passed out in the McDonald's parking lot. Upon arrival, Hillsborough County deputies immediately assumed defendant was impaired. Defendant was somewhat uncooperative and refused to perform Field Sobriety Exercises and refused to provide a breath sample. Despite the video surveillance showing some signs of impairment as well as the reason the deputies arrived on the scene, Tampa DUI attorney Stephen Higgins was able to get the charge reduced to a Reckless Driving. (Ref. No. 8393-XCL)
DUI REDUCED TO RECKLESS DRIVING – NO CONVICTION (FEBRUARY 2009)
After being stopped for speeding, defendant, a student at University of South Florida, was asked to perform Field Sobriety Exercises. On video, her performance was excellent and she later provided a breath sample of .089 and .089. After negotiating with the state attorney's office, criminal DUI defense lawyer Stephen Higgins was able to get the charge reduced to a Reckless Driving without any conviction. (Ref. No. 8918-XAM)
DUI REDUCED TO RECKLESS DRIVING (JANUARY 2009)
In yet another case involving a single vehicle accident, Stephen Higgins was able to get the charge reduced to a Reckless Driving. The facts demonstrated that defendant was found in his car on the side of the road which had apparently slid into an embankment. When Hillsborough County deputies arrived, defendant refused to talk, refused to perform field sobriety exercises and refused to provide a breath sample. Commonly referred to as a "Double Refusal Case," the state attorney simply had very little evidence of impairment. (Ref. No. 9769-XCF)
DUI REDUCED TO RECKLESS DRIVING (JANUARY 2009)
Even though defendant admitted to drinking two margaritas and providing a breath sample of .123, Tampa Florida DUI lawyer Stephen Higgins was still able to get the DUI charge reduced to a Reckless Driving. Defendant was stopped by Hillsborough County deputies for weaving within his lane and performed Field Sobriety Exercises on video. Defendant's performance of the exercises was excellent thereby failing to demonstrate any significant signs of impairment. Arguing to the State Attorney's office that a jury would not believe that the deputy had a valid reason for a DUI arrest, Stephen convinced them to reduce the charge. (Ref. No. 1223-XCM)
DUI REDUCED TO RECKLESS DRIVING (JANUARY 2009)
Defendant was observed by Temple Terrace Police Officer to be driving without headlights. Officers conducted a traffic stop, smelled an odor of alcohol emanating from defendant's breath and asked him to perform field sobriety exercises. On video, the results of the exercises showed signs of impairment. After arrest, defendant provided breath samples of .172 and .158. Despite the overwhelming evidence of DUI, Tampa Florida DUI defense lawyer Stephen Higgins negotiated with the state attorney's office and got the charge reduced to a Reckless Driving primarily because of the reason for the stop of defendant's vehicle. (Ref. No. 5915-XDT)
DUI REDUCED TO RECKLESS DRIVING – PINELLAS COUNTY – .157! (JANUARY 2009)
Defendant was observed parked in a parking lot of an adult establishment on Ulmmerton Road with his headlights on, facing into oncoming traffic. Pinellas County Deputies arrived on scene and found the defendant behind the wheel of his vehicle with the engine running. Because of the odor of alcohol on his breath, defendant was asked to perform field sobriety exercises which he failed and was subsequently arrested. He provided breath samples of .157 and .157. Defense counsel presented paperwork to the State Attorney's office showing that defendant had contacted a person to pick him up and that he had no intention of driving. After many months of negotiating and on the day of trial, and despite the indicia of impairment, Stephen Higgins convinced the Pinellas County State Attorney's office to amend the charge to a Reckless Driving without any license suspension. (Ref. No. CTC084484ABCANC)
DUI REDUCED TO RECKLESS DRIVING (JANUARY 2009)
Defendant was stopped for speeding (45/30) in Tampa on Temple Terrace Highway. Upon contact, the officer noted a distinct odor of alcohol on defendant's breath and asked defendant to perform field sobriety exercises which she failed. She later provided a breath sample of .152 and .150, almost twice the legal limit. After intense negotiations with the state attorney regarding problems with the evidence in the case, particularly the video surveillance, Tampa DUI defense lawyer Stephen Higgins was able to get the charge reduced to a Reckless Driving. (Ref. No. 5793-XEC)
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