Case Number: 3516XGA
Location: Hillsborough County
Charge: 2nd DUI within 5 Years
Result: DUI Reduced to Reckless Driving
Defendant was observed by independent witnesses traveling too fast on a roadway and missing a stop sign and driving directly into a ditch. The witnesses called 911 and Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office arrived to investigate the crash. Once there, they found the defendant inside his vehicle, passed out, and observed an odor of alcohol coming from his breath during the course of the conversation. The deputies determined that there may be some indicators of impairment. They terminated the crash investigation and began a DUI investigation.
Ultimately, the defendant was arrested for DUI and refused the breath test. Defendant retained the services of Stephen Higgins with the law firm of Finebloom, Haenel & Higgins and the result that was achieved was excellent, given the fact that defendant had a prior offense within five years and was ultimately looking at extensive jail time as well as a five year drivers license revocation.
During the course of negotiations with the state attorneys, Stephen was able to get the charge amended from a DUI to a reckless driving, saving the defendant’s five year drivers license suspension and saving him from an extensive period of jail time. Great result.
