Why You Need a Traffic Defense Lawyer

Speeding Unlawfully

Despite being the most common traffic violation, speeding tickets carry heavy consequences in Florida. A single ticket can carry between 3 points for unlawful speeding of less than 15 MPH over the speed limit and 6 points for unlawful speeding that results in an accident. Since it only takes 12 points in 12 months to suspend a license, you shouldn’t ignore a ticket.

Running a Red Light or Stop Sign

When a traffic camera or police officer catches you rolling past a stop sign or squeezing through an intersection after a yellow light, that violation can add three points to your record.

Other Violations

Most other violations can add points to a record. Passing in a no passing zone, following too closely behind a vehicle, and even failing to obey railroad rules can each add three points to your record. There are also heavier violations, such as four points for passing a stopped school bus. Getting into an accident that’s caused by a moving violation could also get you 4 points, while leaving the scene can bring another 6 points.

Unsafe Lane Change

Failing to use a turn signal while changing lanes on the highway is a three-point violation, but the charge can easily be combined with another violation like speeding to equal a costly number of points.

Reckless Driving

The criteria for reckless driving are subjective. But when an officer deems a driver has been reckless by disregarding the safety of other motorists, the penalty of four points is significant for a driving record.

Points Add Up!

A certain number of points can result in license suspension or revocation, but there are other costs associated with moving violations. Traffic tickets often come with fines to pay, for example, and overdue tickets can mean even higher fines. Not to mention vehicle insurance rates are tied to driving records, so accumulating points may also raise your insurance coverage costs. And for a commercial driver with a CDL, the points from just one traffic violation can put your job at risk.

Plea Bargain

A traffic ticket defense attorney can also use a plea bargain to reduce the consequences of a moving violation. It is possible to keep minor traffic cases, especially for first-time offenders, out of the court docket. If so, the prosecuting agency can bargain with the accused’s lawyer for a lesser charge. Each plea is unique, but a possible resolution could be paying a small fine in exchange for having no points added. As a regular driver, avoiding points means lower car insurance rates and less risk of losing your license. But if you’re a commercial driver with a CDL, paying a fine for a violation instead of getting points could also save your job.

Dismissed on a Technicality

Each traffic law contains a labyrinth of technicalities that police and the courts must follow, otherwise, it creates an opening for the ticket to be dismissed on a technicality. If the officer who issued a ticket isn’t present in court, for example, that could be grounds for dismissal. And since traffic defense attorneys know these technicalities, hiring a lawyer to fight your violation improves the chances of the ticket being dismissed with no points added to your driving record.