Finebloom and Haenel, P.A. is devoted to handling all types of criminal matters, no matter how large or small. The Firm has a well-earned reputation for fighting hard for each client and obtaining the best possible results, whether that means preventing a charge from being filed, taking a case to trial, or negotiating the best possible deal.
 
Contact Finebloom and Haenel for exceptional legal representation in throughout the State of Florida, within the following areas:

• Criminal Defense
• Driving Under the Influence (DUI/DWI)
• Traffic Offenses
• Felony & Misdemeanor Crime 
• Bench Warrants
• Drug Offenses
• Juvenile Delinquency Matters
• Sex Crimes
• Expungement Motions
• Domestic Violence

The criminal process is a difficult and frustrating experience for anyone charged with a crime. The attorneys of Finebloom and Haenel understand what you are going through and will be with you every step of the way to provide the best representation possible. The Firm's attorneys have in-depth knowledge of the local court system, the prosecutors and judges. Combined with their many years of trial experience, expert witnesses, and professional office staff, the Firm is able to provide clients with the finest criminal defense services available throughout Florida.

If you or someone you know needs the skilled legal representation of an experienced Florida criminal defense lawyer, call Finebloom and Haenel today at 866-285-2239, or complete the contact form provided on this site to schedule your free consultation.

Professional Profiles

The experienced criminal defense attorneys of Finebloom and Haenel, P.A. have dedicated their practice exclusively to representing defendants in criminal cases. Their many years of experience handling Florida criminal cases have enabled the Firm and its members to foster solid relationships with prosecutors and judges throughout the Sarasota and Tampa areas. If you or someone you know needs the skilled legal representation of an experienced criminal defense lawyer, call Finebloom and Haenel today at 866-285-2239, or complete the contact form provided on this site to schedule your free consultation.

 FIRM ADDRESS:
David Haenel
Finebloom and Haenel, P.A.
200 Washington Blvd.
Sarasota, FL 34236
Phone: 866-285-2239
Hours: Seven Days a Week, 9:00AM-6:00PM
After hours appointments available

MEMBERS OF THE FIRM:

David Haenel, Esq.

EDUCATION:

• SUNY Buffalo School of Law, L.L.M., 2000
• Widener Law School, J.D., 1999

COURTS ADMITTED:

• Florida
• New Jersey
• U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS:

• Sarasota County Bar Association
• Judge John M. Scheb American Inn of Court
• International Association for Chemical Testing

TRAINING:

• State of Florida's Laser Operator's Course, designed to train law enforcement to effectively operate Laser speed measuring devices

PRESENTATIONS:

• International Association of Chemical Testers: issues involving evidentiary breath testing
• Florida Breath Test Conference, sponsored by the Institute of Police Technology and Management

PRACTICE AREAS:

• Criminal Defense
• DUI Defense
• Traffic Cases
• Domestic Violence
• Juvenile Cases
• Drug Crimes
• Felonies/Misdemeanors
• Sex Crimes
• Expungements
• Bench Warrants

Darren Finebloom, Esq.

EDUCATION:

• Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, J.D., cum laude, 2000
• Florida State University, B.S., Criminology, 1996

COURTS ADMITTED:

• Florida
• U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
• U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida
• U.S. District Court, Northern District of Florida

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS:

• National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
• Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
• Sarasota County Bar Association

EXPERIENCE:

• Public Defender's Office, Twelfth Judicial Circuit
• Law Offices of Michael Moran

PRESENTATIONS:

• Florida Breath Testing Conference for Law Enforcement
• Sarasota County Teen Court Program, Volunteer Judge

PRACTICE AREAS:

• Criminal Defense
• DUI Defense
• Traffic Cases
• Domestic Violence
• Juvenile Cases
• Drug Crimes
• Felonies/Misdemeanors
• Sex Crimes
• Expungements
• Bench Warrants

Stephen C. Higgins, Esq.

EDUCATION:

• Rutger's Law School, J.D. 2005
• Rutger's Graduate School of Business, M.B.A. with specialization in law, 2005
• Northeastern University, Boston, B.S., 2000

COURTS ADMITTED:

• Florida
• New Jersey
• Pennsylvania
• U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
• U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida
• U.S. District Court, Northern District of Florida
• U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey
• U.S. Court of Appeals, Third Circuit

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS:

• Sarasota County Bar Association
• Hillsborough County Bar Association
• Association of Trial Lawyers of America
• Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
• National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

EXPERIENCE:

• Brown & Connery, LLP, civil attorney practice
• Hon. Freda L. Wolfson, U.S.D.C.J., district of New Jersey, Camden Vicinage, Student Extern

PRACTICE AREAS:

• Criminal Defense
• DUI Defense
• Traffic Cases
• Domestic Violence
• Juvenile Cases
• Drug Crimes
• Felonies/Misdemeanors
• Sex Crimes
• Expungements
• Bench Warrants

After Drug Search Is Challenged Successfully, Marijuana Trafficking Charges Dropped Against Client

2009 CF 14482 NC

The defendant in this case was facing a mandatory jail sentence of three years for trafficking in 25-200 pounds of marijuana. He was also charged with manufacture of a controlled substance, resisting an officer without violence and possession of drug paraphernalia. Darren Finebloom took the case and after investigating and working with his client, Darren filed a Motion to Suppress due to an illegal search and seizure. The court granted the motion stating that there was insufficient evidence that exigent circumstances existed to allow the police to search the defendant’s residence without a warrant. That led the State to drop all the drug charges against our client.

Felony Charges Dismissed Against Client Who Was Charged With Failing To Have Worker’s Comp Insurance

Sarasota 2009 CF005726

The defendant was facing felony charges for failing to have the proper worker’s compensation insurance. The issue came to light following an injury to someone working for our client. After hiring the Law Firm of Finebloom & Haenel, the firm’s lawyers began an investigation and determined that our client was actually operating as a subcontractor not as a contractor. Following depositions of the state investigator, the prosecutor realized that they were not going to be able to prove the case against our client beyond a reasonable doubt. The defense filed a motion to dismiss the case on a legal ground. The State agreed that the motion was well-founded and didn’t not file any objections. As a result the Court dismissed felony charges against our client.

All Charges Dismissed In Sarasota Aggravated Assault With A Deadly Weapon Case

The Defendant was robbed at knife point earlier in the evening. He later became aware of the person who robbed him at knifepoint and proceeded to go the perpetrators house. He is alleged to have shown up with what was believed to be a handgun. The perpetrator was not home but his roommate was. She immediately called the police alleging that the Defendant showed her the weapon and asked where her roommate was. The police arrived and located a pellet gun and a baseball bat near where the Defendant was. The Defendant was arrested for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon by the Sarasota Police Department. Darren Finebloom upon being retained immediately ordered the 911 tape of the robbery and of the alleged aggravated assault. The 911 tape included evidence tending to show the alleged victim was not in fear and that the Defendant never pointed the gun at her. All charges were dismissed.

Frequently Asked Questions

The following information includes frequently asked Criminal Law questions. The answers stated are general in nature and are not intended to apply to every situation. Each case is different and carries its own set of circumstances which must be taken into consideration by competent legal counsel.  By contacting Finebloom and Haenel, P.A. today at 941-348-1004, you can receive a personal consultation regarding your specific legal claim.

Will I be fingerprinted or have to be in a line-up?
You may be required to participate in a lineup, to prepare a sample of your penmanship, or to speak phrases associated with the crime with which you are charged, to put on certain wearing apparel or to give a sample of your hair. You should ask to have your attorney present during any of these procedures. You have an absolute right to counsel, if you are asked to participate in a lineup after you have been formally charged by the prosecuting attorney or indicted by a grand jury.

But the police officer said that if I talked, he would help me out.
This is something police officers always say. Police officers have no control over what happens to you after you have been arrested. The determination of what you will be charged with, and how you will be sentenced, is up to the prosecutor and the presiding judge.

Do I need a criminal defense lawyer?
This is the first and most important question. And the best way to answer this question may be to rely on instinct: if your gut feeling is that you should talk to a criminal defense lawyer, you probably are right – seek advice.

The main reasons prompting the need for a criminal defense lawyer are:

• You have been charged in court with a crime. This may occur following an arrest or through a summons to appear in court and answer a criminal complaint or indictment. All people have an absolute constitutional right to the assistance of a lawyer in a criminal court case.
• You have been arrested. If arrested for a potential criminal charge, a referral for criminal charge(s) may be made to the District Attorney in the county of the alleged law violation, or to the prosecutor for the federal district of the alleged violation. If an in-custody interrogation follows the arrest, the person being questioned has an absolute constitutional right to remain silent and to have a lawyer present during the questioning.
• You are being investigated for a crime. Law enforcement officers and prosecutors often contact people directly to answer questions about their alleged involvement in a crime.

Generally, the sooner a criminal defense lawyer is brought into a criminal case or investigation, the better potential results for the client. Do not take a wait-and-see approach to a criminal situation. Do not seek answers to questions about your rights and legal status from police officers and prosecutors who do not have a legal duty to act in a suspect’s best interest.

What is a plea bargain?
Settling a criminal case is usually called a plea bargain. It means that the prosecution and the defense have come to an agreement to resolve the case. The case can be settled at several points during the process, from before it is charged until right before the jury hands down its verdict. Usually, however, the best bargain can be obtained earlier rather than later in the process. And in many cases, it is a question that should be analyzed immediately so that good opportunities for a plea bargain aren’t given up because of pride or inattention.

Can I answer not guilty even if I am guilty?
There is nothing unethical about pleading not guilty even if you really did it.  Technically speaking, pleading not guilty is merely exercising your right to question the prosecution's evidence. You are innocent until your guilt is proven beyond a reasonable doubt. That's the prosecution's job. You are innocent until you are proven guilty.  Your lawyer may think that the evidence against you is not enough to prove that you are guilty. You may have a better chance if you have a trial and you can only have a trial if you plead not guilty.

What happens at an arraignment?
You have the right to be arraigned without unnecessary delay - usually within two court days - after being arrested. You will appear before a judge who will tell you officially of the charges against you.  At the arraignment, an attorney may be appointed for you if you cannot afford one, and bail can be raised or lowered. You also can ask to be released on personal recognizance, even if bail was previously set.

If you are charged with a misdemeanor you can plead guilty or not guilty at the arraignment. Or, if the court approves, you can plead nolo contendere, meaning that you will not contest the charges. Legally, this is the same as a guilty plea, but it cannot be used against you in a non-criminal case.

Before pleading guilty to some first time offenses, such as drug possession in small amounts for personal use, you may want to find out if your county has any drug diversion programs. Under these programs, instead of fining you or sending you to jail, the court may order you to get counseling which can result in dismissal of the charges if you complete the counseling.

If misdemeanor charges are not dropped, a trial will be held later in the county court of law. If you are charged with a felony, however, and the charges are not dismissed, the next step is a preliminary hearing.

What happens after a conviction?
In most cases, after either a plea of guilty or a finding of guilt after trial, the following options may be available:

• Motion for new trial OR Motion to withdraw the guilty plea
  These two motions must be addressed on a case-by-case basis, but both motions attempt to set aside the conviction.
• Appeal
  Again, the facts of each case must be examined to determine if one can bring an appeal and, if so, whether it would it have merit.
• Modification of sentence
  It is possible in some cases to come back before the sentencing judge and ask for modifications on some of the terms and conditions of probation.
• Expungement
  In some cases, after a person has successfully completed the terms and conditions of probation, it may be possible to appear before the court and have the conviction expunged or removed from your record.

Finebloom and Haenel, P.A.

200 N. Washington Blvd.

Sarasota, Florida 34237

Tampa Office

3426 West Kennedy Boulevard

Tampa, FL 33609

Orlando Office

189 S Orange Avenue

Suite #1850S

Orlando, FL 32801

Pinellas Office

4500 140th Avenue North

Suite #101

Clearwater, FL 33762