Know Your Options: Dealing with Traffic Tickets in South Florida
Any person who violates the rules of the road can be charged with a traffic offense. Most traffic offenses are classified as misdemeanors or infractions. However, if the violation led to property damage or bodily harm, or if a person has prior traffic violations on his/her driving record, the charges can be intensified.
What is a Traffic Violation?
When people disobey the rules of the road while driving, they are committing traffic offenses. While most traffic violations are considered minor, like failure to signal or making an illegal turn, some are considered severe. This is especially true in cases involving the injury of a third party or a motor vehicle accident.
Examples of Traffic Violations include but are not limited to: Speeding, Running a red Light, Reckless Driving, Leaving the Scene of an Accident, Expired Registration and Seat Belt Violations.
Is a Traffic Ticket a Criminal Offense?
Not necessarily.
In most cases, Traffic Tickets are considered civil infractions. These traffic offenses are typically include moving violations, such as running a red light, running a stop sign, or basic speeding. These violations typical lead to fines, required traffic school and/or demerit points on your driver’s license.
However, some traffic tickets are considered a misdemeanor or felony, which can have severe consequences for drivers across the state of Florida.
Traffic Violation Misdemeanors include: Leaving the scene of an accident, not having a valid drivers license, having an expired license, having no tag or an unlawful tag attached to your vehicle, having an expired registration of six months or more, racing on the highway and reckless driving.
Traffic Violation Felonies include: Fleeing and alluding police, DUI, third or subsequent offense and manslaughter.
What options do I have in handling my ticket?
There are three options available to handle a traffic ticket. The receiver has 30 days to make this decision with the clerk of court listed on the citation. Failure to elect within 30 days may result in additional fines along with a suspension of the driving privilege.
- Pay the Fine – You may also be required to complete a driver improvement course as well as facing additional consequences.
- Elect a Driver Improvement Course – You will be required to pay the fine, but may receive an 18% reduction. One may only elect to take a driver improvement course five times within their lifetime.
- Contest the Citation – By hiring Attorney Michael Jones, you can have your case completely dismissed or severely reduce your penalties. You must contact the Clerk of Court in the county where the violation occurred to contest the citation. Michael Jones can walk you through this process during your free consultation.
What are the Consequences of Traffic Violations?
Once a person is convicted of a traffic violation in South Florida, he/she can be punished with:
» Driver License Suspension or Revocation
» Fines
» Traffic School
» Community Service
» House Arrest
» Jail time
» Demerit Points on the Motorist’s Driving Record
The Law Office of Michael E. Jones is a South Florida criminal defense firm servicing clients throughout Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties. Criminal defense attorney, Michael Jones, is devoted to helping his clients contest their traffic violations and infractions. As a committed solo practitioner, Mr. Jones strives to give each of his clients the attention and counsel they need to be successful with their traffic matters. He will always go the extra mile for his clients and their criminal cases.
If you have been charged with a traffic violation in South Florida, call or contact the Law Office of Michael E. Jones today for your free initial consultation at (954) 764-2060.
With over 30 years of experience and thousands of successful cases under his belt, Michael Jones will be there for you throughout the entire process, fighting for you until the very end. At the Law Office of Michael E. Jones, we can answer your questions and address your individual concerns. You do not have to go through the criminal process alone.
I can order a copy of your police report and offer you a consultation at no charge.
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