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May 7, 2012
No Conviction on DUI Charge3815-XGA Defendant was stopped for speeding in South Tampa. He consented to field sobriety exercises which were performed on video. Despite his decent performance, he was arrested and transported to the jail. At the jail, he refused to provide a breath sample. During plea negotiations, Stpehen Higgins got the charge amended to a Reckless Driving with no conviction.… May 7, 2012
DUI Charge Amended to Reckless Driving7061-XEF Defendant was driving the wrong way on a one way street in South Tampa. Defendant admitted to coming from Drynk, a local bar and consented to perform Field Sobriety Exercises which he failed. He was arrested, taken to the Central Breath Testing at Orient Road Jail and provided breath samples of .167 and .174. Prior to trial, Stephen Higgins was able to get the charge amended to a Reckless Driving.… March 7, 2012
What happens if you are under 21 and you get a DUI?Any driver under 21 that is stopped by law enforcement and has a blood alcohol level of .02 or higher will automatically have their license suspended for 6 months. This policy is known as “Zero Tolerance.” A .02 limit can be reached by having one drink! So it is very risky to have even one drink and drive if you are not of age. In addition to the zero tolerance penalties, you are also subject to any penalties under the DUI statute. This includes fines, jail time, DUI school, increased insurance rates and additional license suspensions. If you are under 21 and you have been arrested for DUI speak with a lawyer immediately!… March 6, 2012
Navy Aircraft Carrier Sobriety Checkpoint’s?A recent article on Yahoo news indicates that the United States Navy will soon be administering breathalyzer tests to sailors coming aboard ships in an attempt to deter alcohol problems and promote safety. Navy Secretary Ray Mabus announced that breath tests will be given to between 1/6 and 1/8 of the crew specifically targeting those sailors standing watch and overseeing more important aspects of the ships duties. Other sailors will be tested randomly. The goal of the initiative is not to tell sailors they can’t drink, according to Mabus, but rather “We are telling you that it’s important to keep legal, responsible use of alcohol from turning into a problem. Your job and your lives are too important.” Breath tests administered on behalf of the United States Navy are governed by federal and maritime law. In most civilian cases in Hillsborough and Sarasota County, breath tests administered by police officers are governed by State law. Specifically, in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Manatee and Sarasota county, DUI checkpoints must follow very specific procedures, including notification to the county residents. In Hillsborough County, DUI checkpoints and enforcement can be found on the Hillsborough County Jail website.… February 24, 2012
How A DUI Lawyer can help youWhen you are arrested for DUI, the State uses all of their resources to prosecute you. A DUI attorney protects you and your rights. The DUI lawyer represents you and only you. This means you have someone on your side to make sure you get the best outcome possible. A good DUI attorney can help you in many ways. An attorney can help you at your arrest to obtain a reasonable bond. Without a bond, you will have to remain in jail pending the outcome of your case. The attorney can also put in a notice to preserve any evidence, such as video taping or lab test results for future use.… February 6, 2012
What are the penalties for a DUI convictionNo matter how many times you have been convicted of DUI, the types of penalties you receive are the same. The difference is in the amount of time required or the cost. Here is a list of DUI penalties: PROBATION: Under Florida Law, all DUIs require at least one year of reporting probation. This means that you must report to a probation officer once a month every month for one year. There is a monthly fee due to the probation office that supervises you every month. This fee is usually between $20 and $60 a month depending on the county.… February 3, 2012
How does a DUI affect my insurance?The simple answer is it costs more for at least three years. When you get a DUI, a copy of the DUI arrest and/or your conviction goes on your driving record. Your driving record is what insurance companies look at when they give you a quote. A DUI places you in a higher risk category which increases the amount you pay for insurance. In addition, you will be required to purchase an SR-22 policy. SR-22 is a statement of financial responsibility that serves as proof that you have the proper amount of insurance. The SR-22 is an additional expense over and above your regular insurance rate.… January 31, 2012
Does a DUI affect getting a job?Yes, a DUI can affect your getting a job. Here’s how: Background Checks: A DUI is a criminal charge that will show up on a background check. If your job performs random background checks, it is possible the arrest will show up and you could be fired. If you have to pass a pre-employment screening, the DUI arrest could keep you from getting hired in the first place. Professional Licensing: If your job requires a professional license, such as nursing, contracting, security and other regulated professions, a DUI arrest can delay your license. In some cases a conviction can result in your license being denied.… January 26, 2012
2012 GASPARILLA DUI SURVIVAL GUIDEOn January 28, 2012, Gasparilla Pirate Fest revelers will invade Tampa to party! Over the past few years, arrests for DUI, BUI, underage drinking and open containers have skyrocketed, amounting to as many as 500 arrests in 2011. This year, Gasparilla attendees can expect the same saturation of law enforcement to promote a fun-filled festival weekend. At Finebloom & Haenel, we encourage everyone to have a safe and enjoyable weekend at the Gasparilla Parade; but, if the worst were to happen to you or a loved one, contact one our Aggressive Criminal defense or DUI Defense attorneys to help. DUI Arrest – Gasparilla In an event that promotes drinking, partying and costumes, it is inevitable that some people will drink and drive. In any circumstance, being arrested for DUI is a life changing experience and arrested for DUI during Gasparilla is no different. The Hillsborough County Sherriff’s Department has already put the public on notice through their Operation ‘3D’ campaign that they will have increased patrols, areas of ‘saturation’ and DUI checkpoints throughout Hillsborough County. It seems obvious that officers are encouraged to make DUI arrests during Gasparilla in an attempt to take as many people off the street that they deem to be impaired. However, having represented many, many people arrested for DUI during Gasprailla, it can be a rush to judgment by the police officers resulting in a defensible case.… January 26, 2012
Gasparilla Invades Tampa This Weekend, Law Enforcement Cracking Down on DUITonight and this weekend, the Gasparilla celebration once again invades the city of Tampa, and along with the revelers, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office will be out in full force looking for drunk drivers. Gasparilla events include the “Gasparilla Invasion,” the Gasparilla Invasion Brunch,” and the “Parade Fest Street Festival” along with live music, food, costumes and partying. And drinking. Drinking has become synonymous with the Gasparilla festivities and it seems everyone participating imbibes on the ‘liquid pirate booty.’ In response to the partying, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office seeks to protect those people on the roads through Hillsborough County and will be conducting “Operation 3D,” a public awareness campaign meaning Don’t Drink & Drive.” HCSO deputies will be on the lookout for drunk drivers, specifically tonight, January 26th. There will be a checkpoint and deputy “saturation” in District II, Eastern Hillsborough County, State Road 60 and Parsons Avenue.… January 23, 2012
Alleged DUI Driver slams into Police Cruiser – Pinellas CountyTalk about the wrong place at the wrong time. Alleged DUI driver Kimberly Argue slammed into the back of a patrol cruiser and then fled the scene. Officer John Martini of the St. Petersburg Police Department had previously pulled behind and stopped a PT Cruiser. During the course of giving that driver a citation for hitting a traffic control box, Argue slammed into the back of his patrol car which was pushed into the PT cruiser and then Ms. Argue drove off! The occupants of the PT cruiser were listed in serious condition. Ms. Argue was later stopped by the Florida Highway Patrol and charged with leaving the scene of an accident and DUI.… January 19, 2012
Woman Arrested for DUI and Child Abuse in TampaShortly after 11 PM, a 26 year old woman was arrested today for DUI after going the wrong way on Florida Avenue. When officers approached Christy Hinz’s vehicle, they noticed not only signs of impairment, but also a 3 year old boy in the backseat. During field sobriety tests, she exhibited signs of impairment and later refused to provide a breath sample. This is not Ms. Hinz’s first run-in with the police – she has been arrested on two prior occasions. On each arrest, Ms. Hinz has refused to provide a breath sample. “Refusing a breath sample on more than one occasion can have a significant impact on her driving privileges,” Tampa DUI defense attorney Stephen Higgins said. “On a second refusal, if the administrative suspension of her license is upheld, she will be without the ability to drive for a period of 18 months – and that has nothing to do with a third conviction for DUI in the criminal court.… January 18, 2012
Driver Convicted of DUI Manslaughter Sues VictimIn a rather odd factual scenario, a driver convicted of DUI manslaughter in Tampa FL is suing the victim, claiming the victim has caused him pain and suffering. On Christmas Eve 2007, David Belniak was traveling 70-90 MPH when he rear ended a vehicle operated by the victim, Ray McWilliams. Rather than go to trial, Belniak agreed to a plea deal and was sentenced to 12 years in Florida State Prison where he resides today. In a recent court filing, Belniak served the estate of McWilliams with a civil suit trying to recoup money, apparently for pain and suffering and other medical bills.… December 30, 2011
Tampa DUI Checkpoint Tonight(12/30/2011) in Temple Terrace, Hillsborough CountyOn the eve of New Year’s Eve, Temple Terrace police department seeks to lock up drunk drivers. To do so, authorities with the police department will stage a DUI checkpoint on Friday, December 30, 2011 from midnight to 4 AM in the area of 56th Street and Whiteway Drive (http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&q=56th+street+and+whiteway+drive,+temple+terrace&rlz=1R2ADFA_enUS446&gs_upl=1125l7110l0l7126l46l17l0l0l0l0l1172l1782l5-1.0.1l2l0&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&biw=1285&bih=676&wrapid=tlif132526112972810&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=0x88c2c7d408b5172d:0x62f0820c27e6516a,N+56th+St+%26+Whiteway+Dr,+Temple+Terrace,+FL+33617&gl=us&ei=UeH9TrWTOc6u2AXBj6X-Bw&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CB0Q8gEwAA) Authorities in Temple Terrace will participate in the checkpoint because “The Temple Terrace Police Department recognizes that DUI is a serious public safety problem and that Hillsborough County has consistently ranked among the top counties in the state for alcohol related crashes,” according to spokesperson Michael Dunn. The police department seeks to conduct the high visibility checkpoint to make the public aware that drunk drivers will be arrested.… November 12, 2010
Tampa DUI Arrest – Hillsborough County Deputy Arrests Drunk Driver Who Admits To Eight BeersThis Tampa man was pulled over for a DUI and admitted to drinking eight beers. His blood-alcohol level was more than four times the legal limit. November 5, 2010
Tampa DUI News – Jury Finds Man Guilty Of Lesser Charge Following Tampa DUI Manslaughter TrialThis Tampa man was facing DUI manslaughter charges in a Hillsborough County courtroom. He was convicted of a lesser charge of DUI. October 7, 2010
Tampa DUI News – Tampa DUI Lawyer Tells TBO.com Plea Expected In Fatal DUI CrashesThis Tampa man is likely going to enter a plea to his Tampa DUI charges. The Hillsborough County judge in his case wants to make sure the DUI penalties fit the crime. October 1, 2010
Florida DUI News – DUI Charges Reduced Against Florida Magistrate Who Oversees Drug CourtA Jacksonville drug court magistrate had his DUI charges reduced to reckless driving. Should he keep his judicial job? September 30, 2010
Tampa DUI News – Tampa Bay Business Finds Loophole In Florida DUI Laws With DUI ScooterA scooter store in Tampa Bay is making news with its DUI scooter. The scooter is legal to ride without a license allowing convicted DUI drivers an option for transportation in Florida. September 20, 2010
Tampa DUI News – Woman Charged With Second DUI Goes Back To Jail For DUI Probation ViolationThis Tampa woman violated her DUI probation and is back in jail. She also has to fight a second DUI in Pinellas County. September 8, 2010
Tampa DUI News – Eight Months After Deadly DUI Car Crash Riverview Man Charged DUI ManslaughterEight months after a deadly crash, a Tampa man has been arrested on DUI charges. The Riverview resident was charged with DUI manslaughter for driving drunk the night of the accident. September 1, 2010
Tampa DUI News – Tampa Bay Buccaneer Assistant Coach Arrested For DUIA Buccaneer assistant football coach was arrested for DUI. He was stopped in South Tampa for running a red light. August 31, 2010
Tampa DUI News – Man Given A Life Sentence For A Tampa DUI Fatality Argues For New DUI PenaltyA Tampa man is asking for a new DUI sentence. He received a DUI penalty of life in prison in a Tampa court room in 2003. August 23, 2010
Tampa Bay DUI News – Two Pinellas County Employees Involved In Criminal Justice System Arrested For DUITwo Pinellas County employees were arrested for DUI this weekend. Tampa Police are increasing efforts to stop drivers for DUI in Hyde Park, New Tampa and along Dale Mabry Highway. August 18, 2010
Tampa DUI News – Father Of Young Girl Nearly Killed By In A Drunk Driving Accident Arrested For Second DUI
The father of a young Tampa girl who nearly lost her life in a drunk driving accident has been arrest for a second DUI, this time in Texas. Summer Moll was nearly killed in a head-on accident with a drunk driver that took the life of her mother. Apparently that wasn’t enough of a lesson for her estranged father who was arrested in Tampa for DUI and now has been arrested in Texas for a DWI. According to investigators and reported by My Fox Tampa Bay, Josh Moll was charged with DUI in Tampa but jumped bail and ended up in Texas.… August 12, 2010
Tampa DUI News – Former Bachelor Contestant Arrested For DUI In TampaThis star of the Bachelor and former Bucs cheerleader is in trouble again. She was arrested in Souh Tampa for a DUI. August 10, 2010
Tampa DUI News – DUI Manslaughter Charges Filed Versus MacDIll Marine Captain Following Car CrashThree months after a head-on collision on I-275 a Marine Captain has been arrested. The 37-year-old stationed at MacDill was charged with DUI manslaughter. August 9, 2010
Tampa DUI News – Osceola County Assistant Principal Arrested For DUI In TampaThis Orlando assistant principal was arrested in Tampa Saturday. He was placed under arrest for DUI. July 21, 2010
Tampa DUI News – Tampa Woman Violates Her DUI Probation, Sentenced To Six Years In PrisonThis Tampa woman was sent to jail for DUI manslaughter and served less than a year. She was arrested again on DUI charges in Pinellas County. June 22, 2010
Tampa DUI News– Woman Who Served A Year For DUI Manslaughter Arrested For Second DUIAfter receiving one year in jail for a DUI accident that took the life of a 15-year-old girl, this Tampa woman has been arrested on a second DUI charge. She was sentenced as a youthful offender the first time but if convicted of a second DUI her DUI sentence will be much more severe. June 18, 2010
Tampa DUI Arrest – Actor From HBO Series The Sopranos Arrested For DUI In TampaA famous actor in town to promote his new cigar was arrested for DUI in Tampa Thursday night. The Sopranos actor was stopped leaving Hyde Park and arrested for drunk driving. May 19, 2010
Tampa DUI Penalties – Hillsborough Man Sentenced To Five Years In Prison Following Fatal DUI CrashA Tampa man found out his sentence today for a fatal accident in 2008. The DUI penalties Justin Jones faces were determined in a plea agreement. May 11, 2010
Tampa DUI Arrest Information – Which Hillsborough County Judge Gets Assigned To My Tampa DUI CaseIf you have been arrested for a DUI in Hillsborough County your case will be assigned to one of six judges. A DUI charge in Tampa is complex so let our attorneys help you through the process. May 6, 2010
Tampa DUI News – DUI Manslaughter Sentence Handed Down In Tampa CourtroomA Tampa man was sentenced to five years in prison today for a Hillsborough DUI manslaughter charge. The Tampa DUI took place following a Buccaneers game. April 28, 2010
Tampa DUI News – Tampa Man Tries To Escape DUI Charge By Running Deputy Off The RoadA Tampa man was facing DUI charges but decided he would rather try to run a deputy off the road than go to Hillsborough County jail. The plan didn’t work out as he was arrested for both DUI and aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer. April 28, 2010
Tampa DUI News – Hillsborough County Public Defender Arrested For DUI In TampaA public defender in Hillsborough County was arrested over the weekend on suspicion of a Tampa DUI. He refused field sobriety tests and a breath test. April 22, 2010
Tampa DUI Lawyers – How To Find Lawyers After A Tampa DUIThere is a pressing need to find lawyers once you have been arrested for a DUI in Tampa. There are two important deadline that you need an experienced Tampa DUI attorney to help you with. April 21, 2010
Tampa DUI News – Hillsborough County Students Get A Lesson In The Dangers Of Drunk DrivingWith prom scheduled for Saturday, Tampa’s Gaither High School student body was given a close up look at DUI and the consequences of driving drunk. The lesson included a lecture by a 20-year-old who killed his brother in a DUI accident. April 21, 2010
DUI Sentence For First Time Tampa Drunk Driver Used To Set An ExampleA Tampa judge tried to set an example as he sentenced Elizabeth Borgos to jail following her first DUI conviction. The drunk driving charges that Borgos faced rarely land you in jail in Florida but the Hillsborough County judge overseeing her sentencing put Borgos in jail for 10 days. He also suspended her license for 12 months and put her on probation for a 18-months. Tampa DUI Lawyer Stephen Higgins
According to deputies who are involved with DUI enforcement in Tampa on a daily basis, the sentence is rare but so are the circumstances. Borgos hit a sheriff’s deputy cruiser while driving drunk.… April 16, 2010
Tampa DUI Accident Involves A Crime Scene Investigation VanA woman driving a red Acura early Friday morning allegedly was driving drunk in downtown Tampa when she ran a red light and smashed into a crime scene technician van. Jessica Lynn Davis was arrested on DUI charges and taken to Hillsborough County jail. TampaBay.com is reporting the woman refused to give a blood-sample. The incident happened around 4:30 a.m. according to the story. The driver of the crime scene van was taken to the hospital with minor injuries related to the air bags deploying. Davis was being held on $500 bail. The collision happened on North Florida Avenue. The woman accused of DUI is said to be from Lakeland.… April 15, 2010
Tampa DUI Manslaughter Trial Still Not Underway A Year After Two DeathsRandy Archiquette is awaiting trial for allegedly killing two people while driving drunk in Tampa. The 40-year-old has been charged with DUI manslaughter, leaving the scene of an accident and vehicular homicide for a suspected DUI crash that killed two in the Tampa neighborhood of Seminole Heights. The family of one of the victims recently gathered to mark the one-year anniversary of the 20-year-old girl’s death. Archiquette is in Hillsborough County Jail while he awaits his trial. He is being held without bail. The second-victim in the car crash was a 69-year-old woman. Archiquette is accused of crashing into several cars that day with the two deaths resulting from those crashes.… April 7, 2010
Lutz Drunk Driver Runs Into Armored Car Scattering Money All Over The RoadThe Florida Highway Patrol is reporting an armored car was hit by a Hillsborough County drunk driver. The drunk driving accident sent two men to the hospital in critical condition and caused money to spill all over the roadway at U.S. 41 and Dale Mabry Highway. Jose Soto of Lutz was charged with DUI, violation of right of way and driving with a suspended license.< April 5, 2010
USF DUI Checkpoint Took Place On Tampa Campus This WeekendAccording to 10Connects.com, USF Police conducted a Tampa DUI checkpoint on the campus of the University of South Florida Saturday morning. The DUI checkpoint was scheduled to last for one hour and was intended to stop drunk driving in Tampa on the USF campus. The USF Police Department conducted the DUI checkpoint in an overall effort to enhance traffic safety on theTampa campus. Impaired drivers would be charged and arrested according to the story. There were no immediate results released as far as number of arrests made for drunk driving.… April 1, 2010
Land O’ Lakes Trooper Honored For More Than 200 DUI ArrestsOne of Tampa Bay’s own has been honored for his work in stopping drunk driving in Tampa Bay. Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Michael J. Hollis was recognized in Tallahassee for arresting 203 people on DUI charges in Tampa Bay last year. Hollis received the Hurd-Smith Award which is named after Kimberly Hurd and Robbie Smith, both former FHP Troopers who were killed by drunk drivers. The pair died in separate incidents. Hollis is based in Land O’ Lakes located in Pasco County.ay.… March 29, 2010
Another Tampa Trolley Accident But This Time It Wasn’t Drunk DrivingAccording to police and a story on TBO.com the car that collided with a streetcar on Channelside Drive this past weekend was not driven by a drunk driver, unlike another trolley car collision in Tampa in January. The most recent crash seems to be the fault of a driver who did not see a stop sign and is expected to be cited with a Florida traffic ticket. Nobody was injured in the collision but as mentioned previously it is the second such collision between a car and the trolleys this year. In January Joshua Pelletier was charged with DUI in Tampa for running head-on into one of the streetcars.… March 23, 2010
Fighting Drunk Driving Gets South Tampa Bar Recognized By Hillsborough County SheriffsIf you are familiar with South Tampa and Hyde Park, you know MacDinton’s. The popular Irish pub located right on South Howard Avenue is packed to the brim with patrons every weekend but no bar does a better job at combating drunk driving in Tampa as MacDinton’s, that is according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s office. MacDinton’s was named the most responsible alcohol vendor by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s department. The pub was presented the award Tuesday afternoon. According to TampaBay.com the sheriff’s honored the Irish pub for its efforts to reduce drunk driving by its South Tampa patrons.… March 19, 2010
Fighting Drunk Driving Gets South Tampa Bar Recognized By Hillsborough County SheriffsEarly this morning police spotted a SUV driving very slowly with its lights off. The officers suspected DUI and attempted to pull the Kia Sorento over. At that point the car stopped but as soon as officers exited their vehicle 26-year-old Eric Lee Peoples took off. The officer did not chase the car due to department policy on pursuits. They did however have the man suspected of drunk driving followed by a helicopter in the area. According to TampaBay.com, the helicopter captured Peoples driving erratically for about 15 minutes. The suspect then crashed his car into a parked van. The officers in the air called for an ambulance but before they could get there the SUV caught on fire.… March 18, 2010
DUI Manslaughter Verdict Comes Back As Guilty For Plant City ManWe were keeping our blog-eye on a Tampa DUI manslaughter trial involving a Plant City man who did not deny drinking but his Tampa Criminal Attorney argued that despite the drunk driving he was not responsible for the accident. The crash resulted in Wyman Fletcher’s untimely death. Now Jonah Kane West is looking at 15 years in prison. According to TBO.com, West’s blood-alcohol level was presented as being 0.234 during the two-day trial. That is almost three times the legal limit in Florida. The jury needed just 45 minutes to determine that West caused the rear-end collision that took place in 2008 on State Road 39.… March 17, 2010
Tampa DUI Manslaughter Trial Underway In Hillsborough CourtThe State of Florida presented its first witness Wednesday in the DUI manslaughter trial of Jonah Kane West. The drunk driving accident he is accused of causing killed Wyman Fletcher who the state alleges was run off the road by the drunk driver. West’s blood-alcohol level was 0.234 on the night of the accident. According to a story on TBO.com, one of West’s Tampa Defense Attorneys did not challenge the fact that West was drunk at the time of the accident. They are however claiming the 32-year-old did not cause the accident or the man’s death. The defense lawyers plan to call an expert on accident reconstruction to prove their point.… March 15, 2010
Tampa Drunk Driving Arrest-The Son Of The Pinellas-Pasco State Attorney Was Arrested For DUI SundayHillsborough County Sheriff’s arrested the son of the Pinellas-Pasco County State Attorney on charges of drunk driving in Tampa early Sunday morning. Patrick Thomas McCabe was arrested on charges of DUI with property damage after he hit a fence near the intersection of Miley and Stanley roads in Plant City. He was released on $500 bail. According to TBO.com McCabe ran a stop sign and crashed through a chain link fence on the side of the road. When deputies arrived McCabe smelled of alcohol, had red, watery eyes, and was unsteady. He reportedly had a blood-alcohol level of 0.168, which is double the legal limit.… March 11, 2010
Tampa Mom Pleads No Contest To DUI Charge That Led To Probation ViolationA Tampa woman pled no contest to DUI charges that led to a probation violation for not sending her daughter to school. Charlotte Fair was sentenced to 12 months of DUI probation that will run concurrently with the probation she is serving for not ensuring her daughter was going to school. She was also sentenced to 50 hours of community service, a six-month license suspension and a $500 fine. The Hillsborough County judge hearing the case did not require Fair to seek counseling but she did say Fair could use any hours spent in counseling towards her community service requirement.… March 10, 2010
Tampa DUI Charges Filed Against NY Yankee ExecutiveOne of the top executives with the New York Yankees was arrested Monday night on charges of a Tampa DUI. According to records obtained from Hillsborough County, Yankees’ senior vice president of baseball operations Mark Newman was arrested and charged for drunk driving. According to an Associated Press report there is no record that Newman has hired a Tampa DUI Attorney at this point. According to the AP, Newman refused a breath test and was taken to jail. He was released on $500 bail. The Yankees said they will not comment on the DUI arrest beyond saying they do not condone that behavior and that they are looking into the matter, which they take seriously.… March 9, 2010
Tampa DUI Lawyer Fighting To Help DUI Manslaughter Inmate Get A Second ChanceA former federal corrections officer is seeking to have his Florida DUI manslaughter conviction set aside due to mistakes made by his lawyer during his trial. Purdie Burkes was sentenced to five years in prison and still has just over a year left to serve on his sentence. His Tampa DUI lawyer has filed papers with the court asking his case be reviewed. Burkes was driving in a heavy fog on the morning in which he was convicted of hitting and killing a bicyclist. He had a blood-alcohol level below the legal limit of 0.08 when he was tested via a blood draw but a prosecution expert testified that level would have been higher at the time of the crash.… March 9, 2010
Holiday Man Charged With DUI For Sleeping In A Van Parked In His DrivewayWhen it comes to DUI charges in Florida, one of the most important terms you need to know is “actual physical control”. This term has been hotly contested in courtrooms by Tampa DUI attorneys and DUI lawyers throughout the state of Florida. Many people are unaware that you don’t need to be driving or even have your car running to be charged or convicted of drunk driving. Just ask Jeffery Roger Werling of Holiday, Florida. The 40-year-old Pasco County resident was charged with DUI when he was found asleep in a van parked in his driveway. He was passed out in the driver’s seat and eventually given a blood-alcohol test which registered more than four-times the legal limit.… March 4, 2010
DUI Charges Filed Against Tampa Student Who Crashed On Davis IslandDUI charges have been filed against a University of Tampa student stemming from a Davis Island accident in November. Blood test results taken at the time of the DUI crash registered Michael Louis-Fernand’s blood-alcohol level at .13 and .140. A passenger in the back seat of the car suffered a broken back and lacerated liver. The 20-year-old UT student was booked in downtown Tampa today. The accident was the result of Louis-Fernand speeding on West Davis Boulevard. He lost control of his Volkswagen and hit a concrete wall. There was one other person in the car at the time of the crash.… March 1, 2010
Alcohol Involved In Tampa Car Accident That Kills One And Injures Three TeenagersAn early morning accident on I-275 in Tampa seems to be alcohol-related according to the Florida Highway Patrol. No charges have been filed yet in the deadly one-car accident, but DUI manslaughter charges could be forthcoming. Three teenagers were injured and a woman died in the alcohol related accident. According to TBO.com Manuel Rosas was nearing the exit for Howard and Armenia Avenues in south Tampa when the car he was driving spun into a guardrail. A woman sitting in the front seat was thrown from the 1998 Firebird and killed. Three teens in the back seat were all injured and taken to a Tampa hospital where they were listed in serious condition.… February 11, 2010
Tampa DUI Lawyers Blog | DUI Attorneys in Tampa, FL Blog – Finebloom & Haenel, P.A. BlogThe September 27 crash that took the life of two Cape Coral, Florida nuns has resulted in DUI manslaughter charges being filed against a North Fort Meyers man. Michael G. Hickman has been charged with two counts of DUI manslaughter, DUI second offense or more and DUI Hickman’s blood was drawn at the hospital following the car accident but due to his injuries officer’s could not conduct a breath test. That meant Hickman was still able to drive while charges were pending.… February 1, 2010
Hudson, Florida Man Punches A Cop And Assaults A Nurse Following A DUI ArrestIt was bad enough that Jeffery T. Frazier rammed a parked car and drove into a few mailboxes while allegedly driving drunk but the mechanic had to go and make things worse for himself. According to a story on TampaBay.com Frazier punched a Florida Highway Trooper and pushed a nurse into a supply cart. He has been charged with DUI and battery charges. Frazier resides in Tarpon Springs and when he was approached by troopers following his erratic driving pattern, he allegedly was so impaired that he continually fell over. He was taken to the hospital and medically cleared.… January 28, 2010
Tampa Father Headed To Jail After Pleading Guilty To DUI ManslaughterA drunk driving case revolving around an accident that cost Vickie Colonna her life has concluded with Kevin Michael Smith pleading guilty to DUI manslaughter charges in a Tampa court. Smith will spend a year in prison and 10 years on probation. He will also lose his driver’s license permanently. According to TampaBay.com, Smith had a blood alcohol level of 0.224 when he crashed his pickup on Hillsborough Avenue. Smith was facing up to 15 years in prison but pled guilty instead of going to trial and was sentenced to 366 days in prison. He is a 36-year-old father of two and will now have to not only go to prison but make restitution in the amount of $12,000.… January 27, 2010
Tampa Deputies Arrest 11 For Outstanding DUI Warrants“Operation Last Call” was executed across Hillsborough County Wednesday and was aimed at arresting Tampa residents with outstanding warrants for DUI. The operation began at 6:00 a.m. and netted 11 arrests according to TampaBay.com. Deputies arrested people who either violated their DUI probation or have missed court appearances. Those arrested according to the St. Pete Times included Israel Boon Kendall, Steven Lowell Shaw. Michael Anthony Suttles, Teresa Lynn Lindley, Richard Dunn, Aja Sudano, Joseph Unterberger, Jeanne Schaffer, Jeremy Cox, Robert Lee Johns and Richard Dunn.… January 26, 2010
Hillsborough County Man With Blood-Alcohol Level Of 0.218 Charged With DUI ManslaughterA 35-year-old Hillsborough County man has been charged with DUI manslaughter according to a story on TBO.com. Paul Michael Parks has been arrested and remains in jail with no bail set. According to deputies Parks had a blood-alcohol level of 0.218 at the time of a head-on crash that killed 47-year-old Karen Weaver of Riverview. Parks was also charged with two counts of driving under the influence with property damage or personal injury. The accident that cost Weaver her life took place December 19 on Big Bend Road. Parks is accused of driving east in the westbound lane and causing the collision.… January 25, 2010
Was A Drunk Driver Responsible For Crashing Into A Tampa House And Sending A 9 Year Old To The Hospital?Police are investigating an accident that sent a nine-year-old Tampa boy to the hospital. According to TampaBay.com Guillermo Rosales was speeding and ran a stop sign before he crashed into a house where a young boy was sleeping on a couch. Police are still investigating to see if 17-year-old Rosales was driving drunk at the time of the crash. Joseph Vanhouse was asleep in his N Orleans Avenue home when Rosales ran a stop sign, hot a parked car in front of the house and rammed into the Vanhouse home. Joey was taken to the hospital and is listed in good condition despite a skull fracture suffered in the crash.… January 25, 2010
Tampa Man Charged For DUI On A Bicycle In Collier CountyA Tampa man has been arrested for DUI in Collier County following a drunken bike ride according to police reports and a story in the Naples News. Tommy Charles, a 51-year-old Tampa man, was arrested in Collier County on charges of DUI, refusal to submit to a DUI breath/blood test, refusing to sign a citation and having an open alcohol container in public. Deputies reported stopping Miller and noticing he had bloodshot eyes and smelled of alcohol. They also reportedly found two empty beer cans in the front basket of the bicycle. Miller lives on Hillsborough Avenue in Tampa but was arrested riding his bike through East Naples.… January 25, 2010
DUI Charges Filed Against Hillsborough County Detention DeputyThe Pasco County Sheriff’s Office is reporting that they have cited a Hillsborough County Detention Deputy for drunk driving. Steve Sestokas was charged with DUI in New Port Richey after he reportedly crashed into a guard rail. The 33-year-old detention officer was also charged with resisting arrest. According to an Associated Press story, a Pasco County Sheriff’s deputy pulled up behind a stopped truck early Saturday. According to deputies, Sestokas said he swerved off the road because he dropped his iPod and reached down to pick it up. Deputies reported smelling alcohol and that Sestokas tried to leave the scene once the deputies identified themselves but he was stuck and could not move his truck.… January 19, 2010
Tampa Man Arrested For DUI After His 13-Year-Old Calls Police To Report HimA Tampa man is under arrest at Orient Road jail after his 13-year-old child called police and told them the father was driving drunk. Hillsborough Sheriff’s deputies showed up at the scene and said 33-year-old Gary Joe Greer had bloodshot eyes and was unsteady on his feet according to a story on TampaBay.com. The deputies reported the man seemed impaired. Greer was stopped and arguing with another person when his 13-year-old child left the car and called 911. The arrest report states that Greer admitted he was drunk and asked to be taken to jail. The deputies obliged that request.… January 18, 2010
Tampa Driver Accused Of Drunk Driving Hits Channelside Trolley Saturday NightA GMC Denali collided with a Tampa trolley Saturday night at Channelside Drive and Cumberland. Nobody in the SUV or on the trolley were hurt but Tampa Police have charged 35-year old Joshua Pelletier with DUI in the accident. He was also charged with failure to drive on a designated roadway. The head-on collision occurred shortly before 10:00 p.m. Saturday night. There were four passengers onboard the trolley at the time police suspect the drunk driving accident took place. Pelletier was allegedly driving northbound on the trolley tracks when he collided with the southbound trolley.… January 12, 2010
Drunk Driving Fatalities Down By Two-Thirds In The Past 25 Years According To USA TodayAccording to a story in USA Today based on statistics from federal officials, drunk driving fatalities dropped by 7% from 2007 to 2008 and drunken-driving deaths are down 66% since 1982. While the news is good, the article goes on to report 12,000 people died in 2008 due to drunk driving. In the editorial, USA Today’s editorial board makes a strong push for more interlock ignition devices. The USA Today story uses New Mexico as an example of how ignition interlocks can help save lives. Since 2002, deaths attributed to DUI have dropped 33%. Almost all categories of drunken driving crimes have dropped as well.… January 8, 2010
Tampa DUI Stop Leads To Early Morning Chase And Woman Being Thrown From A CarTampa Police are still searching for a DUI suspect who escaped an early morning traffic stop for drunk driving. The man was pulled over on Adamo Drive near Orient Road and initially complied with the DUI enforcement officer. Sometime during the 5:00 a.m. stop he jumped back into his car with a female passenger and took off towards downtown Tampa. Police lost the suspect but found the passenger whom the man allegedly pushed out of the car. Officers eventually saw the car again as it entered I-4 but they were unable to apprehend the man and later found his Jaguar in a ditch.… December 21, 2009
Hillsborough County Teen Sentenced To Five Years In Prison In DUI Manslaughter CaseDavid Holdsworth pled guilty earlier this month to DUI manslaughter stemming from a February 2008 accident. The 19-year-old had a blood-alcohol level of 0.136 when he was driving 40 MPH over the speed limit and crashed into another car killing the driver. Holdsworth was sentenced this past Friday by a Hillsborough County judge to five years in prison and 10 years probation following his release. He pled guilty to causing the death of 32-year-old Samuel Garcia when he lost control of his car. The Apollo Beach teen was driving 75 MPH in a 35 MPH zone at the time of the accident.… December 16, 2009
Being Arrested For DUI Does Not Mean You Will Be Convicted Of A DUIBeing arrested and charged with DUI does not mean you will be convicted of DUI. A Tampa Defense Lawyer can evaluate your case and keep you from being convicted of a DUI and possibly have your DUI charge reduced There are several ways to ‘beat a DUI.’ One of the first challenges to any DUI arrest is the reason for the stop of the vehicle. There are also ways to challenge your performance on the Field Sobriety Exercises by arguing that the area was poorly lit or the ground was uneven. Finally, there are ways to challenge the breath test results by acquiring the video from the Hillsborough County Jail and evaluating the time frame of your entry into the sallyport area and the time of your first breath sample.… December 8, 2009
Owner Of Three Tampa Bay Restaurants Arrested For A Second DUINew Port Richey police arrested Michael L. Lowe on charges of DUI Saturday night. Lowe is the owner of three Tampa Bay restaurants and this is his second arrest for driving under the influence according to TampaBay.com. Police report Lowe was weaving in his silver Mercedes when they received a complaint about a possible drunk driver. Upon pulling over the 66-year-old, Lowe admitted to having had two rum and cokes in two hours. Police say Lowe performed poorly on field sobriety tests and then took a Breathalyzer test. He reportedly blew a 0.106 and 0.108, above the legal limit of 0.08.… December 2, 2009
Man Who Avoided Jail On DUI Manslaughter Conviction Arrested On Another DUI ChargeDonald Hancock was convicted of killing his wife Irene in a 1997 accident that was attributed to drunk driving. The DUI manslaughter conviction could have carried a sentence of as many as 17 years but the family of the victim pleaded that Hancock get a second chance and the judge seemed to agree with a sentence that did not include jail. Now according to a story on TampaBay.com Hancock has once again been arrested and charged with driving under the influence and possibly violating his DUI probation. Police report stopping Hancock around 3:00 a.m. after he made a U-turn on a red flashing light without stopping.… December 1, 2009
Twenty-Year-Old Spring Hill Man Charged With DUI Manslaughter Following A December AccidentMitchell Vilet was charged with DUI manslaughter this week for his role in a car crash that killed Troy Schultz in December. According to TampaBay.com Vilet was arrested Wednesday night and his bail was set at $15,000. Vilet is also facing a lawsuit filed by one of Schultz’s relatives. According to the Florida Highway Patrol Vilet’s 1994 Ford crossed a paved median on U.S. 19 and entered into the path of Shultz’s 1998 Kia SUV. The accident took place at 3:30 a.m. and Vilet left the scene of the accident but he left his blood behind. FHP tracked down Vilet later at a convenience store located near the accident scene. … November 30, 2009
Hillsborough County Deputy Collides With And Kills A Bicyclist Suspected Of DUIA Tampa area man riding his bicycle east of the city collided with a Hillsborough County deputy’s cruiser and has died from the injuries he suffered. According to a story on TampaBay.com, the man riding the bike was under the influence at the time he collided with the car. Jonathan Loschen reportedly rode his bicycle into the path of Deputy Michael Hannaford. Tests at the hospital showed the bike rider’s blood alcohol level was 0.27 which is three times the legal limit in Florida. Following an investigation into the crash, Hannaford will return to normal duties. If you have been charged with a DUI in Tampa or Hillsborough County, please do not hesitate to contact Tampa DUI Attorney Stephen Higgins, Esq.… November 29, 2009
Study Pinpoints Where And When To Avoid Tampa’s Drunk DriversHillsborough County averages nearly 6,000 DUI arrests a year and that leads the state. The statistics that are kept by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s office are the basis for a comprehensive study by FOX 13 on drunk driving in the Tampa Bay area. The study found that drunk drivers are more often on the roads Thursday thru Sunday and the time with the highest number of DUI crashes coming between midnight Saturday and 3:00 a.m. Sunday. According to the statistics FOX 13 gathered, the top hot spot for DUI in the City of Tampa is in Hyde Park near Howard and Kennedy. Dale Mabry in Carrollwood, Adamo Drive just off I-75, the intersection of Fletcher and Nebraska and all of the Bay Area Bridges are also frequent places drivers are cited for DUI.… November 28, 2009
Tampa Bay Buccaneer Lineman Falls Asleep At The Wheel And Is Charged With DUI Outside Raymond James StadiumMarcus Johnson was allegedly found asleep at the wheel of his 2010 Chevy Impala outside of Raymond James Stadium early Tuesday morning. According to the St. Petersburg Times Johnson’s car was in the middle of the intersection of N. Dale Mabry and Martin Luther King Blvd. at approximately 4:00 a.m. A Tampa police lieutenant approached the car and woke up the back-up offensive lineman. He then called for a DUI investigator to come to the scene. Johnson agreed to field sobriety tests but he then refused to take a breath test. He was booked into the Hillsborough County Jail on a DUI charge.… November 27, 2009
Hillsborough County Sheriffs Give East Tampa Students Get An Up-Close Look At DUI CrashAbout 1,900 students at East Tampa’s King High School got an up-close and personal look at the real life dangers of drinking and driving. Luckily it was only a drill. According to TBO.com, the Hillsborough County sheriffs, with the help of some student thespians, put on a show for the high school students hoping to scare them enough to avoid drunken driving fatalities. Student’s witnessed a staged car accident with the Jaws of Life and field sobriety tests included. There were donated damaged vehicles and a death scene as well. To cap it all off a Tampa General Hospital Aeromed helicopter arrived on the scene as well.… November 26, 2009
Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Being Sued By Two People Arrested On DUI Charges In TampaTwo people who were booked for drunk driving in 2008 are suing Hillsborough County sheriff’s deputies claiming they were injured. A story on tampabay.com says the cases stem from videos taken at the breath-testing facility. The videos were requested by an attorney who was reviewing the tapes to see if the rules surrounded breath test machines were being followed. The attorney was apparently disturbed by the treatment of two people while reviewing the videos. One of the plaintiffs claims he was choked by deputies and the other claims had her head slammed into a wall while being dragged in for breath tests.… November 25, 2009
Nearly Three Years After Crash, Tampa Man Charged With DUI ManslaughterA 21-year-old Tampa man has been charged with DUI manslaughter nearly three years following a Jackson County crash according to a story on newsherald.com. Adam Jablonski was 19-years-old when he crossed into the southbound lane on County 167 in Marianna and hit 69-year-old William Barnes head-on. Barnes was not wearing his seat belt and died due to the collision. The case was lingering for years in the Jackson County State Attorney’s office but earlier this month the state attorney did file DUI manslaughter charges. State Attorney Glenn Hess said there were a dozen or so homicide cases he needed to deal with before moving on to other pending cases.… November 23, 2009
Crime Down And Arrests Up At USF Campus In Tampa Partly Due To DUI PatrolThe Tampa campus of the University of South Florida has become safer since 2005 according to new crime figures published in the St. Petersburg Times. According to officials serious crime is down over 30% while arrests are up 23%. Police credit some highly visible programs for helping see numbers trend in the right direction. One of those programs involves a strong DUI presence. Since 2006 the USF police department has conducted DUI checkpoints and saturation patrols. This is something that had never been done previously. They also are patrolling the areas around the University of South Florida looking for DUI offenders on the streets around the Tampa campus.… November 22, 2009
High School Basketball Coach Arrested On DUI Charges In South TampaA traffic stop on Azeele Street led to the arrest of the new girls basketball coach at Armstrong High School. Patrick Kelly, the former assistant coach for the boys, took over the job with the girls squad just three weeks ago. Now he is facing a DUI prosecution following an early Sunday morning stop. According to an article on tampabay.com police reported that Kelly was spotted driving on the wrong side of the road at 1:15 a.m. Sunday. He was pulled over by Tampa police. Upon stopping the 32-year-old, police said they noticed Kelly’s eyes were glassy, his speech slurred and there was a smell of alcohol.… November 21, 2009
Former Star Tampa High School Basketball Player Suspended From Team Following DUI ChargeEric Segert, a true freshman at Idaho State, has been suspended from the men’s basketball team following a DUI charge according to Local Eight News in Idaho. Segert played his high school basketball in Tampa at Oldsmar Christian Academy. He was the only true freshman on scholarship for the Bengals. The report says coach Joe O’Brien has suspended the Tampa product for the fall semester. He was also will have to perform 50 hours of community service and do extra conditioning. The conditioning is said to consist of 45 miles of running.… November 20, 2009
Man Charged With DUI After Crashing Into A Tampa Detective’s Police CruiserAccording to a report in the St. Petersburg Times, a Zephyrhills man has been charged with DUI after veering head-on into a police car driven by a Tampa detective before trying to flee from the scene of the accident. Alexander Rodriguez was treated at a hospital following the crash and released. Three hours after the accident he registered a blood alcohol level of .113 according to police reports. Rodriguez allegedly crashed into Detective Bryan Felts’ car causing the Tampa officer numerous lacerations. Felts crawled out of his car following the crash and chased down Rodriguez’s car catching up to the suspect after a quarter of a mile.… November 19, 2009
Florida Sheriff Arrested For A DUI In Tampa Pleads Guilty To A Misdemeanor After Third DUIFormer Lafayette County Sheriff Dewayne Walker pled guilty to misdemeanor DUI after his third DUI and now will be required to use a breath machine to start his vehicle. Walker was twice removed from office for public drunkenness. The former sheriff was pulled over for speeding and refused to take a breath test and sign his citation. At that point he was charged with felony DUI. The judge sentenced Walker to 45 days of house arrest, one year of probation, ordered him to pay fees and fines of $1,500 and suspended his license for six months. The judge made a point to say that the punishment would have been harsher had this DUI happened within five years of the last but that wasn’t the case as Walker’s last DUI occurred in Tampa in 2003.… |
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