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- AnneMarie Rizzo
AnneMarie Rose Rizzo
- Sarasota, FL
- Licensed for 12 years
About AnneMarie
Only Female ACS-CHAL Forensic Lawyer Scientist in the State of Florida and Former State Prosecutor!
AnneMarie Rizzo is a former Assistant State Attorney with extensive trial experience in the State of Florida. She graduated with her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida, Magna Cum Laude and from the University of Florida Levin College of Law with her Juris Doctorate. Currently, AnneMarie is advancing her knowledge by pursuing a Masters Degree with the University of Florida in Forensic Science to have a formal background in analytical chemistry (the type of testing used in DUI cases and drug offense cases) in order to better serve her clients. During law school, AnneMarie was litigating criminal traffic and domestic violence cases as lead prosecutor during her internship and final year in law school with the State Attorney’s Office in Gainesville, Florida. During her tenure as an Assistant State Attorney she specialized in prosecuting Domestic Violence and Criminal Traffic cases. She assisted hundreds of victims involved in violent relationships in criminal prosecution and assisted victims at hearings seeking protective injunctions. AnneMarie leaves a legacy of winning four separate, consecutive jury trials in the same trial week. She was appointed as a Special Prosecutor by the Governor of Florida to represent the State of Florida on a DUI case in Lee County in 2007 which resulted in another favorable jury verdict for her at trial. She quickly gained the reputation of being an aggressive and zealous advocate.
AnneMarie has trained law enforcement officers and prosecutors across the state specifically in the areas of evidence based prosecution and trial advocacy in Domestic Violence and Criminal Traffic. She also has trained medical doctors at SHANDS UF and Child Protective Investigators with the Department of Children and Families in the areas of domestic violence and family dynamics. AnneMarie has successfully completed the Advanced DUI School hosted by the Florida Prosecutor Attorney Association. She also has successfully completed the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus Course sponsored by the Institute of Police Technology and Management, a course designed to train law enforcement to effectively identify impairment in individuals suspected to be driving under the influence. (A field sobriety exercise regularly used on the roads today) AnneMarie also attended and successfully completed the Trial Advocacy School at the National Advocacy Center held at the United States Department of Justice in South Carolina. AnneMarie also has attended and was awarded certificate of successful completion for intense studies at the National College of DUI Defense at Harvard University. Furthermore, AnneMarie was awarded multiple certificates of completion for her studies at Axion Labs as it relates to Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry as well as being awarded certificates of completion for Mastering Scientific Evidence Seminars. AnneMarie enjoys using analytical chemistry to defend her clients’ cases.
AnneMarie has been featured on multiple news media stations due to her advocacy for her clients such as the local ABC, CBS, and Fox News affiliates. She was also on CNN when she handled a bond hearing for a high profile case. The herald tribune has featured AnneMarie on multiple occasions about her cases because of her unique legal arguments and about cases she has handled.
Locally, AnneMarie serves as the President of the local chapter for the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and as a board member for the statewide Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. She also is a member of the American Chemical Society. Moreover, AnneMarie has served in the community as Chair of the local Bar Association Young Lawyers Division Law Week Committee where she recruited attorneys to teach high school students about the legal system. She also has served as a Guardian ad Litem since January 2004 and continues to help children involved in dependency cases have a voice in court when she is appointed to take cases. In addition, she spends time serving as a presiding judge over Teen Court proceedings. AnneMarie has been involved in other local organizations such as the Florida Association of Woman Lawyers, Young Professional Group, and Junior League.
In her free time AnneMarie enjoys spending time with her family and friends, traveling, and thoroughly enjoys scuba diving (especially with sharks).
Practice areas
- DUI and DWI: 50%
12 years
- Criminal defense: 50%
12 years
Languages spoken
English
Photos and videos
Contact
The Law Place
2445 Fruitville Road
Sarasota, FL, 34237
Website
The Law Place
3426 West Kennedy Blvd
Tampa, FL, 33609
The Law Place
390 North Orange Ave #2300
BY APPT ONLY
Orlando, FL, 32801
Resume
| State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|
| DC | Suspended | 2015 | 10/14/2017 |
| FL | Member in Good Standing | 2007 | 09/12/2019 |
| Legal answers | 24 |
| Legal guides | 0 |
| Award name | Grantor | Date granted |
|---|---|---|
| DUID III GC/MS- Certificate of Completion | ACS- Axion Labs | 2016 |
| Defending Marijuana DUIs- Certificate of Completion | DUIDLA | 2016 |
| Mastering Scientific Evidence- Certificate of Completion | TCDLA | 2016 |
| Nomination Woman in Business of the Year | Sarasota Magazine | 2016 |
| Course Instructor Lab Errors in Blood Alcohol Testing | DUIDLA | 2016 |
| Certificate of Completion- DNA Training for Lawyers | Forensic Science For Lawyers | 2016 |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate of Completion Defending Drug DUI Cases | National College of DUI Defense | 2016 |
| Gas Chromatography Certificate of Completion | ACS Axion Labs | 2015 |
| Nomination for Woman in Business of the Year | Sarasota Magazine | 2015 |
| Defending DUI Cases Certificate of Completion | NCDD | 2015 |
| Mastering Scientific Evidence- Certificate of Completion | TCDLA | 2015 |
| DUID III GC/MS- Certificate of Completion | ACS- Axion Labs | 2015 |
| Gas Chromatography- Certificate of Completion | ACS- Axion Labs | 2014 |
| GC/MS Solid Drug Analysis- Certificate of Completion | ACS Axion Labs | 2014 |
| Defending DUI Cases- Certificate of Completion | NCDD/NACDL | 2014 |
| Mastering Scientific Evidence- Certificate of Completion | TCDLA | 2014 |
| Defending DUI Cases- Certificate of Completion | NCDD/NACDL | 2013 |
| Mastering Scientific Evidence- Certificate of Completion | TCDLA | 2013 |
| Certificate of Completion of Harvard Summer Session | National College of DUI Defense | 2013 |
| Defending DUI Cases- Certificate of Completion | NCDD/NACDL | 2012 |
| Forensic Lawyer Scientist | American Chemical Society | N/A |
| Title | Company name | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Attorney | The Law Place | 2015 - Present |
| Special Conflict Attorney/Prosecutor | State Attorney's Office | 2008 - 2009 |
| Attorney | Finebloom & Haenel, P.A. | 2008 - 2015 |
| Assistant State Attorney | State of Florida | 2006 - 2008 |
| Intern/Extern Trainer | State Attorney's Office | 2005 - 2007 |
| Association name | Position name | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| American Academy of Forensic Sciences | Member | 2016 - Present |
| DUIDLA | Member | 2015 - Present |
| Statewide Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers | Board Member | 2014 - Present |
| American Chemical Society | Member | 2014 - Present |
| Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers | Vice President | 2013 - Present |
| National Trial Lawyers Association | Member | 2013 - Present |
|---|---|---|
| National College of DUI Defense | Member | 2012 - Present |
| Hillsborough County Bar Association | N/A | 2012 - Present |
| National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers | N/A | 2012 - Present |
| Sarasota County Chamber of Commerce | N/A | 2008 - Present |
| Sarasota County Young Lawyers Group | Chair | 2007 - Present |
| Sarasota County Young Professionals Group | N/A | 2007 - Present |
| Sarasota County Bar Association | N/A | 2007 - Present |
| Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers | President | 2014 - 2016 |
| Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers | Vice President | 2012 - 2013 |
| Junior League of Tampa | Member | 2012 - 2013 |
| Judge John M. Scheb American Inn of Court | N/A | 2009 - 2011 |
| Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers | Secretary | 2008 - 2011 |
| Junior League of Sarasota | Chair | 2007 - 2010 |
| Teen Court | Presiding Judge | 2007 - 2014 |
| Guardian ad Litem | N/A | 2003 - 2008 |
| Publication name | Title | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Pinellas DUI Survival Guide | Pinellas DUI Survival Guide | 2013 |
| The Guide To Surviving Your Tampa DUI | Tampa DUI Survival Guide | 2013 |
| Surviving Your Orlando DUI | Orlando DUI Survival Guide | 2013 |
| Sarasota Herald Tribune | North Port Assistant Principal Re-assigned | 2013 |
| Sarasota Herald Tribune | Sarasota Deputy Under Scrutiny | 2013 |
| NBC News | Sarasota deputy subject of internal investigations | 2013 |
|---|---|---|
| The Guide to Surviving Your Sarasota DUI | Sarasota DUI Survival Guide | 2012 |
| Fort Myers Newspress | Chief Baker points finger at drugs | 2012 |
| Sarasota Herald Tribune | Ill Defined Couty Line Hampers Law Enforcment | 2011 |
| FOX 13 NEWS | Where do you draw the line? | 2011 |
| ABC News | Where's Manatee County? Where's Sarasota County? | 2011 |
| STATE OF FLORIDA vs. DOMENICO D'ANGELO | Florida Law Weekly Opinion/ Publication | 2009 |
| Jury Selection and Trial Practice | Jury Selection and Trial Practice | 2008 |
| School name | Degree | Graduated |
|---|---|---|
| University of Florida College of Pharmacy | MS - Master of Science | N/A |
| University of Florida | BA - Bachelor of Arts | N/A |
| University of Florida | Graduate Certificate | N/A |
| University of Florida | Graduate Certificate | N/A |
| University of Florida College of Pharmacy | MS - Master of Science | N/A |
| University of Florida, Fredric G. Levin College of Law | JD - Juris Doctor | N/A |
|---|
| Conference name | Title | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Winter Seminar | Lab Errors in Blood Alcohol Testing | 2016 |
| Blood, Breath and Tears | Problems in Breath Testing for DUI Cases | 2015 |
| Florida Prosecuting Attorney's Association | Jury Selection | 2008 |
| Shands Medical Center- Continuing Education | Domestic Violence and Identifying the Lethality Factors | 2007 |
| Law Enforcement Advanced DUI Training | DUI Training | 2007 |
| Children and Domestic Violence | The Effects of Domestic Violence on Children | 2007 |
|---|
| Case name | Outcome |
|---|---|
| State of Florida vs. DB | DUI Dropped down to Reckless Driving |
| State of Florida vs. BL | DUI Dropped down to Reckless Driving |
| State of Florida vs. W.P. | Not Guilty Jury Verdict |
| State of Florida vs. MH | DISMISSED- All charges |
| State of Florida v. RN | DISMISSED by the State Attorney |
Exactly why you should spend the money for the defense
Posted by Kati
Mon Jun 15 2015
The best
Posted by Chris
Fri Jul 01 2016
Attorney endorsements
(35)Varinia Van Ness, Criminal defense Attorney on Feb 4, 2010
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Annemarie is a fighter and dedicated lawyer. She recently came to our community and immediately was noticed for those qualities. I am proud to have her join our criminal defense bar in Sarasota and troughout the 12th circuit!
Thomas Hudson, DUI and DWI Attorney on Feb 4, 2010
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
When Annemarie was a prosecutor, she quickly developed a reputation as a hardnosed competitor. As a defense lawyer, she has built that reputation, fighting hard for her clients with great results. Even though she is my competitor, I have to (grudgingly) say she is an excellent lawyer, and I wouldn't hesitate to send a loved one to her.
Jeffrey Stinson, Real estate Attorney on Jun 4, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. Knowledgable and effective lawyer in their community.
Blake Marcus, DUI and DWI Attorney on Jan 7, 2015
Relationship: Other
I endorse this lawyer.
Steve Santiago, DUI and DWI Attorney on Oct 19, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. Ms. Rizzo is a highly skilled, professional and knowledgeable attorney. I have always admired her preparedness and passion. A true asset to the legal community.
Brian LaBovick, Personal injury Attorney on Aug 24, 2014
Relationship: Friend
I have known Annemarie for way too many years. She is an exceptional human being. She is highly intelligent. She is an amazing attorney. She cares deeply for her clients, friends and family. I have begged her for years to return to Palm Beach to be a partner in my firm. I would trust her to help my friends and family without hesitation.
M. Miller, Personal injury Attorney on Feb 7, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Michael Fayard, Criminal defense Attorney on Feb 5, 2014
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
I opposed Annemarie a number of times on various motions and hearings while I served as an Assistant State Attorney. Suffice it to say, Annemarie is an absolute animal when it comes to defending her clients. She is tenacious, hardworking, extremely driven, and one of the smartest lawyers in town. As with the rest of the lawyers at Finebloom, Haenel & Higgins, she is always prepared to go to war when she reaches the courtroom. The State doesn't get a "free lunch" or win an "easy" motion against Annemarie.
Lynn Norton-Ramirez, Criminal defense Attorney on Jan 29, 2014
Relationship: Other
I am an out of state attorney and I had a license question. Ms Rizzo took time out of her day to assist me in getting the required information so I can help my client. She was so knowledgeable.
John Ervin, Business Attorney on Oct 25, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Frederick Koberlein, Personal injury Attorney on Aug 28, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Evan Oshan, Car accident Attorney on Jan 24, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. Tough former prosecutor.
I endorse Annemarie Rizzo. This attorney knows how to put up a good fight in the courtroom. She is well versed in the law, passionate about her job, and gets the results for her clients.
Bryce Fetter, Criminal defense Attorney on Oct 2, 2012
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Eric Trabin, Criminal defense Attorney on Jun 14, 2012
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I have known Ms. Rizzo for many, many years now. She is extremely smart, hard working, and caring. I endorse this lawyer!
Frank McDermott, Personal injury Attorney on Aug 2, 2011
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. Annemarie Rizzo is a complete attorney. She practices in many different counties and achieves awesome results for her clients. It is without hesitation that i, a fellow attorney and Board Certified Attorney, endorse her in the area of Criminal Defense.
Michael Perry, Criminal defense Attorney on Jul 11, 2011
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I have known Annemarie for several years now and have come to know her as a excellent advocate for her clients. Her passion for the law and work ethic has made her one of Sarsota's finest criminal defense lawyers.
Christian Lassen, Life insurance Attorney on Dec 28, 2010
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Jarrett Blakeley, Personal injury Attorney on Oct 15, 2010
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
I endorse this lawyer's work. She is an excellent attorney who works very hard for her clients.
Spencer Cordell, Criminal defense Attorney on Sep 9, 2010
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer's work. I have worked opposite Ms. Rizzo when she was a prosecutor and have seen her work skillfully on her clients' behalf since going into private practice. She is a dedicated and zealous advocate for her clients.
Stephen Higgins, DUI and DWI Attorney on Sep 9, 2010
Relationship: Co-worker
Annemarie demonstrates an amazing work ethic in and out of the courtroom. She is a zealous advocate for her clients and works tenaciously to get them the best possible result. She is well respected by her peers in the legal community and constantly works to hone her legal skills through research which she uses to the benefit of defending her clients. Any client is privileged to have Annemarie in their corner.
Jason Mayberry, White collar crime Attorney on Aug 5, 2010
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I've known Annemarie for 3 years. I worked against her when she was a prosecutor and with her as a colleague in the practice area of criminal defense. I have known very few attorneys with the work ethic of Annemarie. I know her to work tirelessly in defense of her clients, always going the extra mile. She's an excellent attorney and an asset to any client.
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