Being pulled over is already embarrassing and frustrating. You know a traffic ticket is coming, and now you're worried about the impact of your ticket on your insurance, your license, and your day.
What you might not have expected is a criminal charge or even an arrest on the spot.
Your Florida traffic violation may have been a criminal offense. Make sure you understand the penalties you're possibly facing before you accept a conviction or head to court. And contact an attorney at Hersem Law as soon as possible.
In Florida, most traffic offenses are civil, meaning that you won’t face criminal penalties for them. You stand to face fines and points on your driver’s license, which translates to much more expensive monthly auto insurance costs. Civil traffic offenses are still serious and warrant legal representation, but they’re not as serious as criminal traffic offenses.
The four most common criminal traffic offenses in Florida are: DUI, driving with a suspended license, leaving the scene of an accident, and reckless driving.
If you’re pulled over while your license is suspended, you could be charged civilly or criminally, depending on whether you were aware of the suspension. If you were made aware of the suspension, you’re looking at a criminal traffic violation.
Keep in mind that you’re considered to be “aware” of a driver’s license suspension if the DMV ever sent you a letter—even if the letter didn’t actually reach you. If you’ve been charged with driving on a suspended license, contact an experienced Hersem Law attorney as soon as possible.
Under Florida law, every person who is involved in an accident must stay on the scene and provide certain information to the other party. Failure to do so is considered a criminal offense.
Leaving the scene of an accident—especially if injuries were involved—can be a serious charge. Call a lawyer at our firm to discuss your options.
Reckless driving is any behavior on the road that shows “willful or wanton” disregard for other people’s safety. This criminal charge is somewhat broad, but it could refer to aggressive driving, swerving through various lanes, or speeding excessively.
Many Floridians confuse reckless driving with careless driving. These are two separate charges; careless driving is civil, and reckless driving is criminal.
Although careless driving is punishable by somewhat less serious penalties, both careless and reckless driving are serious violations that can lead to severe consequences. The good news is that Hersem Law can help you fight the ticket or charge you’re facing.
At Hersem Law, we know that traffic law can be difficult and confusing to understand. Reach out to schedule a free strategy session if you’re struggling with a traffic violation case. We’ll give you a good idea of what to expect and how we can help before you commit to working with us.
To get started, reach out to a Tampa traffic ticket lawyer at Hersem Law by calling 813-251-7291 or by visiting us online to learn more.
Hersem Law is a full-service law firm representing diverse clients throughout the Tampa Bay area. Our combination of criminal and civil law experience allows us to understand all of our clients' needs and ensure their objectives are met. We're always working toward the most effective, immediate resolution while taking precautions to avoid potential problems. Attorney Christopher Hersem is a native Floridian and Tampa speeding ticket lawyer who was born and raised in Clearwater. He is dedicated to helping Floridians win their cases.When you need a defense attorney in Tampa, give our firm a call.... View full business profile here: Hersem Law
