Although a traffic ticket can seem relatively minor, it still has the potential to impact your employment, insurance premiums, and your ability to obtain professional licenses. The average motor vehicle driver in Florida will pay approximately $600 more per year on their insurance following a speeding ticket. Additionally, citations often carry hefty fines, and points on your license can increase your likelihood of losing your driving privileges in the future.
You have a choice whether to accept the traffic ticket you have been issued or fight the citation in traffic court. If you choose to fight, legal representation is key to ensuring a successful outcome.
The Law Place Orlando traffic ticket lawyers are proud to successfully represent clients from Orlando and the wider central Florida area in a range of traffic-related cases. Our award-winning attorneys have extensive knowledge of traffic law in Florida and skillfully apply this knowledge to get our client’s traffic tickets dismissed or penalties minimized.
Contact The Law Place at (941)-444-4444 for a free consultation and case evaluation with a member of our team. Do not let a traffic ticket detrimentally impact your life, secure representation from an experienced Orlando traffic ticket lawyer today.
What Reasons Can I Get a Traffic Ticket in Orlando?
A law enforcement officer may give a traffic citation for a range of moving and non-moving violations. Depending on the nature of the violation, a citation can be given for either civil or criminal offenses.
All traffic tickets maintained by a state agency in Florida are public records unless otherwise stated. As such, prospective or current employers may be able to access this information which could count against you in your current job or future work.
Civil Offenses
Common civil offenses in Orlando include driving without a seatbelt, speeding, driving with a broken head or tail light, and running a red light. Most civil offenses are punishable by large fines and points on your license. For example, a careless driving ticket carries a fine of up to $500 plus court costs, and some fines, such as those issued for running a red light, will double if not paid after the first notification.
Criminal Offenses
More severe traffic violations can result in criminal charges. Reckless driving, leaving the scene of an accident involving injury, driving under the influence, and driving 30mph or more over the speed limit can all result in criminal charges.
Fines for criminal offenses increase significantly, but if convicted, you could also be facing probation and even jail time. Penalties for a DUI charge range from one day to five years of incarceration and 180 days to a permanent license suspension or revocation.
If your offense involved injury to others, it is worth remembering that criminal charges can make it more likely that you will be found responsible for compensation in a personal injury claim if the other individual files a lawsuit.
How Many Points Will I Get on My Driver’s License?
The number of points you will receive on your license due to Florida traffic tickets vary depending on the severity of the offense. Minor offenses, such as toll violations, will result in 3 points on your license. Whereas more serious offenses, such as leaving the scene of an accident, could result in an additional six points on your license.
The number of points you will receive for common traffic violations is as follows:
- Speeding (15mph or less above the limit) – three points.
- Speeding (more than 15mph over the limit) – four points.
- Causing an accident by speeding – six points.
- Careless driving – three points.
- Reckless driving – four points.
- Parking on a highway – three points.
- An accident caused by a moving violation – four points.
- Property damage caused by a moving violation – four points.
- Running a stop sign – four points.
- Running a red light – four points.
- Passing a stopped school bus – four points.
- Leaving the scene of an accident involving property damage – six points.
If you receive too many points on your driver’s license, you may lose your driving privileges, and your license can be suspended.
Habitual Traffic Offender
If you receive 15 or more points on your driver’s license within a five-year period, you are considered a habitual traffic offender in Florida. You may also be classified as a habitual traffic offender if you are convicted of three or more serious traffic-related criminal charges within three years. Habitual traffic offender status can result in a driver’s license suspension of three to five years.
Similarly, this classification can make penalties for additional crimes more severe. If you are caught driving on a suspended license and are already considered a habitual traffic offender, you may face a third-degree felony charge, up to five years in prison, and a $5,000 fine.
Can I Get Points Removed from My License?
Points on your driver’s license can increase the amount you pay for your car insurance and can also increase the likelihood of a license suspension if you receive more points. In Florida, drivers have the option to reduce the number of points on their license by taking a Basic Driver Improvement Course. This will not remove a traffic ticket from your driving record, but it will remove the points.
You must contact the court within 30 days of receiving your traffic ticket to inform them that you would like to take the Basic Driver Improvement Course. Once you have completed the four-hour course, the points for that ticket will be removed from your license. In Florida, drivers can take this course once every 12 months but no more than five times in their lifetime.
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Can I Dispute My Traffic Ticket?
In Florida, traffic tickets stay on your record for ten years, license suspensions for up to 7-11 years, and substance-related offenses for up to 75 years. The best way to avoid traffic violations ending up on your record is to fight your ticket in traffic court.
An attorney can work with you to gather evidence and build a strong case to dispute your traffic ticket. They can also negotiate your citation and reduce the fine you pay or points you receive if your case is not completely dismissed.
Possible Defenses to Traffic Tickets in Orlando
Your attorney can utilize a range of possible defenses in your case and will proceed with the best defense suited to your circumstances. For example, there are extensive procedures that an officer must go through to issue a traffic citation. If the officer did not follow this procedure correctly, this could be grounds to dismiss your case.
- The officer did not have the correct training to accurately use the equipment they used to measure your speed.
- The officer did not see the traffic violation they claimed they did.
- The officer did not follow the correct procedure to issue the ticket.
- The equipment used was not calibrated properly.
We’re Florida’s top litigation team with over 75 years of combined experience
How Can The Law Place Traffic Ticket Lawyers Help?
Securing legal representation to fight your traffic citation can show the court that you are taking the charge seriously and you are handling it in a professional manner, with professional legal advice.
Hiring a skilled attorney from The Law Place can save you from expensive fines and increased insurance premiums while also helping you to avoid the long-term complications of violations on your driving record and points on your license. At The Law Place, we will fight passionately to get your ticket dismissed and ensure that your life is not unnecessarily impacted by the offense.
Free Consultation
At The Law Place, we offer a free consultation and case evaluation for anyone seeking legal representation on a traffic violation case. During your consultation, you can discuss your case with an experienced traffic ticket lawyer and get free advice on the options available to dispute your ticket and reduce the penalties you are facing.
We will transparently outline The Law Place’s legal fees and the costs you can expect if you choose us to represent you. Our consultation comes with no obligations, and there is no pressure to proceed with representation if it is not best for you.
From the initial call to updates on your case status, we are here to get you answers.
Contact The Law Place Today!
Do not underestimate the impact that a traffic ticket can have on your life. Between increased insurance costs, fines, the risk of license suspension, and potential employment implications, a seemingly minor violation can quickly become a substantial problem in your life. Secure legal representation as soon as possible to fight your ticket and avoid the repercussions that it could bring.
If you have received a traffic ticket, The Law Place experienced Orlando traffic lawyers can help. Call us at (941)-444-4444 or visit our office in Orlando, FL, to schedule your free consultation and discuss your options.
