Sarasota Deputy Dominic Fornal under Scrutiny for Misconduct

The great thing about video recordings is that it can capture almost everything. The terrible thing about video recordings is that is can capture almost anything. So knowing that this can be both a good and bad thing, one would assume that when someone is actually aware that they are being recorded while he or she is working would make them keenly aware that they are accountable for their actions. Unfortunately for Sarasota Deputy Dominic Fornal, video footage from some of his DUI arrests reveals an interesting and potentially inappropriate approach to his treatment of civilians. And this is not the first time that he has been accused of such misconduct.

Calling passengers things like “dumb f***ing retards” among other charged, expletive-laced statements, Fornal was caught on tape making various stops and arrests in this manner. Deputy Fornal will remain on active duty while the Sarasota Sheriff’s office looks into the questionable encounters. The Herald Tribune quotes Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Wendy Rose on the situation. “The language the deputy used violated general orders. At this point his conduct did not appear to rise to a level that warrants administrative suspension while we proceed with our internal investigation.” Not only would an internal investigation lead to a potential suspension or firing but also calls into question the actual arrests and stops he has made while on duty.

And it wasn’t just the driver that was affected by the intimidating confrontations with Deputy Fornal. The Herald Tribune quotes Finebloom & Haenel P.A. attorney AnneMarie Rizzo, the driver, not the passenger, of the car in the recent stop by Fornal: “He was having an extreme panic attack. His mother was killed in a traffic accident in 2002, and he had to identify the body. A lot of issues came back. In any situation, regardless of guilt, people still have rights, including the right to be protected.” Rizzo has worked on thousands of Sarasota and Florida DUI cases and this is not her only case involving misconduct by Fornal.

Many individuals in Sarasota feel that once he or she is charged with driving under the influence, the charge is as good as a conviction. That is simply not the case and the recent string of press relating to misconduct of various sorts by police officers shows the importance of working with an attorney on your case. There are various checks and protections in place to protect your rights within the criminal justice system. Placing cameras on police cars that record the initial police contact is one such protection.

If you have recently been arrested for driving under the influence in Tampa, give the attorneys at Finebloom & Haenel P.A. a call today to discuss your case. We will review your case and go over your various legal options. DUI’s can be an incredibly emotional experience, especially in those cases that involve misconduct by the very officers that are sworn to protect you and your rights. We will fight for you.