St. Petersburg Speeding in a School Zone Ticket Dismissed

Client was allegedly speeding through a school zone on 54th Avenue South in St. Petersburg.  The penalty for the ticket was $306.  The case was set for trial.  Prior to the trial the case was dismissed.

St Petersburg BPO Violation Charge Dropped

Client was driving on a valid business purpose only (BPO) restricted driver’s license.  Client was on his way home after working on a group project for his college class.  His car was stopped for speeding but due to the time of night the officer cited him for violating the restriction.  The Office of the State Attorney Nolle Prossed the case upon receiving additional information.   Our office provided the contact information for a classmate and additional information pertaining to the school assignment.  As a result client will not lose his ability to drive on a BPO license.

Is your loved one in jail without bond for a Tampa VOP? Act quickly and contact your Tampa VOP attorney for a FREE Consultation. Depending on the circumstances, you can get in front of the Judge and address the violation in usually a day or two.

When an accusation is made that you violated your probation, the probation officer files a Violation of Probation Affidavit. The affidavit is sent to the judge, the judge will either issue a bench warrant or a send you a written Notice to Appear for court.

If a bench warrant is issued, you should turn yourself into the county jail, but many people prefer to contact their Tampa VOP attorney first. If you contact a Tampa VOP attorney, you can request that your attorney file a motion for bond or you can surrender directly to the judge in court. Most Tampa felony VOP’s are issued warrants with no bond and once arrested, you must appear before the judge issuing the warrant if you are to get a bond. Many misdemeanor VOP’s are issued a Notice to Appear.

Surrendering directly to the Judge has a couple of benefits. You have a set date and time to see the judge. You avoid the county jail and you can resolve your case in many situations without visiting the county jail for booking and execution of the warrant.

Having a Tampa VOP attorney facilitate your surrender is preferable because you are required to comply with the rules and procedure of the court. If you fail to do this correctly, you run the risk of your case not appearing on the court docket and you will quickly find yourself in the county jail waiting for a court date several weeks out.

Technical violations of probation in felony court are set before the Honorable Judge Perry. Technical violations consist of positive drug test or curfew and travel violations. Technical VOP’s are considered less serious, but you expose yourself to the maximum penalty allowed under the law each and every time you violate probation terms and conditions.

If your Tampa VOP is from a new criminal law charge, your case will be assigned to the court division that original sentenced you. New criminal charges are considered more serious violations and the original sentencing Judge determines the appropriate sentence if you admit to the VOP.

When considering a Tampa VOP attorney, look no further than the experienced Tampa criminal defense attorneys at Rooth Law Group. When you need a quick bond motion or resolution, contact our Tampa VOP attorney’s for a FREE Consultation and learn how to place yourself in the best situation possible to avoid jail or prison.

Pinellas Mother Gets Life in Prison For Stabbing Her Son

Posted on April 5, 2012

Bradley Driscoll was stabbed by his mother, Celeste Minardi, in the stomach in 2008.  Minardi suffers from a history of mental illness, including bipolar and personality disorders, and claims the was not herself when she stabbed him.  On the day of the attack, Driscoll had fallen asleep on the couch and woke up to a knife plunged into his stomach.  His mother was standing over him holding two knives in her hands.  He ran, holding his intestines in place. 

At a plea hearing, Driscoll testified that he does not feel safe if his mother was walking the streets. H and his father both stated that the appropriate sentence was life in prison. 

Minardi pled no contest and Pinellas-Pasco Circuit Judge Nancy Ley ruled that Minardi committed a premeditated act in stabbing her son.  Although an 11 year minimum mandatory sentence applies, Minardi was sentenced to the maximum sentence of life in prison for first-degree attempted murder. 

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Pinellas HTO Suspension Reversed

Client received a notice in the mail from Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) advising her that her license was suspended for 5 years as a Habitual Traffic Offender (HTO).  Client worked hard to pay off some outstanding tickets and upon paying those tickets the DHSMV thanked her by sending a suspension notice.  Client contacted our office for help.  Upon review of her driver’s license ticket history we located the ticket that triggered the 5 year suspension and we filed a motion to modify the sentence imposed on the ticket.  The motion was granted and the 5 year HTO suspension was reversed.  Client is legally driving again.

St. Petersburg Man Confesses Giving False Murder Tip

Posted on April 4, 2012

Six years ago, Axley Blanton told the police, while  he was detained at the Pinellas County jail, that he had information about the killing of James Siebert, a Clearwater man who was beaten to death in 2005.  Blanton told officials that he knew who was responsible for the murder and where the murder weapon was located.  Detectives on the Siebert case spent years following up with Blanton’s lead.

After he was recently taken to jail on a domestic battery charge, Blanton confessed that the information he had provided on Siebert is false.  He now faces the additional charge of falsely reporting a capital crime and remained in jail on a $5,150 bail.  The detectives on the Siebert case and the victim’s family are frustrated at the false hope and time wasted on the lead that did not exist. 

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HART Bus Hit and Run Kills Tampa Man

Posted on March 13, 2012

A hit and run accident was caused by an unlikely culprit- a HART bus collided into Eric A. Lewis, a 43 year old Tampa man.  The driver of the HART bus, Steven Rickert, heard about the crash the following day and called authorities because he knew he was in the area at the time of the collision.  He did not remember hitting anyone but evidence confirmed that the HART bus did indeed cause Lewis’ death.  It appears Lewis was hit while walking.  No charges have been filed and the accident is under investigation. 

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Motorcycle Accident Leaves Tampa Biology Teacher Hospitalized

Posted on March 13, 2012

Tampa high school biology teacher was scheduled to be married on St. Patrick’s Day but the wedding will likely be postponed due to a motorcycle accident that left her badly injured.  Nicole Holman, 27, was hospitalized after Edward Moody Brown, 43 of Plant City, cut in front of her motorcycle last Monday morning with his pickup truck.  Holman was in critical condition at Tampa General Hospital.  The accident is under investigation. 

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Holiday DUI Leaves Pedestrian Injured

Posted on Febuary 27, 2012

Laurie Rineer of Holiday, Florida was driving on U.S. 19 around 1 a.m. on Saturday morning. A pedestrian, Baijon Rose, began crossing U.S. 19 against the cross walk signals.  Several cars swerved to avoid hitting the pedestrian but Laurie Rineer was unable to avoid the pedestrian and struck her. Rineer panicked and drive home. Around 3:30 a.m., Rineer contact the Sheriff’s Office to report that she may have his someone.  Detectives investigating the hit and run reported that Rineer has slurred speech, smelled of alcohol and admitted to consuming alcohol during evening. 

The pedestrian was injured and transported to Regional Medical Center.  Laurie Rineer was arrested and charged with DUI and Leaving the Scene of an Accident Involving Injury.

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Tampa’s Dukes Arrested for Marijuana Possession

Posted on Febuary 22, 2012

Former Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Elijah Dukes, was arrested Thursday for possession of marijuana and tampering with physical evidence.  The incident occurred early Thursday morning when Elijah Dukes car was stopped for a routine traffic stop.  Why the car was stopped is unknown at this time.  When the police officers approached the vehicle they observed flakes of marijuana on Dukes’ shirt and was apparently trying to eat the marijuana. 

Dukes was arrested and booked into the county jail.  Bail is set at $4,750.00.  In addition to the possession of marijuana and tampering with physical evidence charges, Dukes also face three driving on suspended license charges. 

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