Getting cited for a violation of Florida’s traffic laws may not seem like a big deal at first. But thanks to the way state authorities keep track of traffic offenses committed by state residents, getting multiple tickets in succession can result in serious sanctions. On top of that, certain types of traffic offenses are classified as criminal offenses, meaning a guilty verdict could lead to fines, license restrictions, and possibly jail or prison time as well.
Fighting a traffic ticket of any kind can be a risky process, especially if you try to do so without a seasoned defense attorney guiding you through it. With a Winter Park traffic lawyer on your side, you could build a defense tailored to your specific case and give yourself a better chance of getting the best possible result.
When someone gets ticketed for a moving violation in Winter Park, they must either pay the fine listed on their ticket—and sometimes comply with other requirements, depending on the nature of the offense—or formally contest the citation they have received. In some situations, people who have received traffic tickets in Florida can get their fine reduced and avoid certain other administrative penalties if they successfully complete a driver improvement class.
Importantly, though, paying a traffic ticket does not erase it from government records. In fact, it counts as an admission of guilt and therefore is treated the same as a conviction in traffic court would be. Once someone is found guilty for a traffic offense, they will generally have anywhere from three to six “points” added to their license depending on the perceived severity of their offense.
Any person who has 12 points assessed against their driver’s license within a continuous 12-month period is subject to a 30-day license suspension. Likewise, getting 18 points within 18 months will result in a three-month license suspension, and receiving 24 points within 36 months is punishable by a one-year license suspension. Put simply, even a few traffic violations over a fairly long period of time can have significant and potentially life-altering consequences, as a Winter Park traffic attorney could further explain.
To contest a traffic ticket in Florida, the person must formally request a traffic hearing from the Clerk of Court for the county where they received that ticket. If the court grants such a hearing, the defendant can present evidence in their own defense and cross-examine the ticketing officer(s) in order to establish what actually happened. This can prove whether there were reasonable grounds for the ticket to be issued in the first place.
If the court sides with the defendant, their ticket will typically be dismissed, and they will face no further consequences. Being found guilty in traffic court can often result in harsher penalties being assessed against the defendant than what they would have faced had they paid their ticket to begin with. It is always worth talking to a traffic defense lawyer in Winter Park before pursuing this option.
While fighting it in court is not always the best way to handle a traffic ticket, it can be an important option if you want to avoid the long-term consequences of multiple guilty pleas for traffic offenses. It can also be important to have help from a dedicated legal representative who has experience dealing with traffic tickets.
Fortunately, the help you may need is available from a tenacious Winter Park traffic lawyer. Schedule a consultation by calling The Umansky Law Firm today.
The Umansky Law Firm Criminal Defense & Injury Attorneys
