Many drivers do not realize the consequences of paying the fine for a traffic ticket. It is basically the equivalent of pleading guilty or getting convicted. It is important for all drivers to know that they do not have to pay the fine without question, and they do have the right to fight the traffic ticket in Port Charlotte.
When a police officer issues you a traffic ticket, and you pay the fine, it will automatically add points to your driver’s license, and it will create a huge surge in your insurance rates. You must know that a traffic ticket does not necessarily mean that you are guilty or that a police officer was right to pull you over and issue you a ticket.
At The Law Place, we have over seventy-five years of collective experience when it comes to fighting traffic tickets on behalf of clients in Port Charlotte and across the State of Florida. Our team of criminal defense lawyers is skilled at helping clients get their tickets dismissed and keeping their driving records clean. When you choose The Law Place, you will not even have to appear in court – we will handle everything on your behalf, and our goal is to get your ticket dismissed no matter what!
Contact The Law Place on (941) 444-4444 to schedule a free consultation today, and a traffic ticket attorney will fight against the charges of your traffic ticket in Port Charlotte. Phone lines are open 24/7.
Moving vs. Non-moving Traffic Citations in Port Charlotte, FL.
It is important to know the type of traffic ticket that you have been issued. This information will help your Port Charlotte traffic ticket attorney to find a way to approach your charges and build a defense strategy. For example, the defense strategy that we would use for a speeding ticket will not apply in the case of a careless driving ticket. It will also help your traffic ticket attorney to determine the potential penalties that you might be facing for your particular offense. Every traffic violation will carry a certain amount of points and fines, depending on the situation.
If you were pulled over by a police officer, most likely, you will have received either a moving citation or a non-moving citation in Port Charlotte. Moving citations and non-moving citations are both seen as traffic violations by the state, but they are different in nature. The main difference is that a moving violation involves a driver operating a motor vehicle in motion, and a non-moving violation involves a motor vehicle that is parked or paperwork related to a motor vehicle that is not in motion.
Here is a list of the most common moving violations:
- Speeding.
- Reckless driving.
- Careless driving.
- Texting while driving.
- Racing.
- Failure to obey a traffic control device.
- Causing a car accident.
- Road rage.
- Failing to signal a turn.
- Tailgaiting.
- Failing to yield.
- Red light camera ticket.
- Stop sign violations.
- Violation of right of way.
- Driving without a seatbelt.
- Improper lane changes.
- Driving too fast for the road or weather conditions.
Here is a list of the most common non-moving violations:
- Driving with a suspended license.
- Driving without a license.
- Driving without insurance.
- Parking in a restricted area.
- Improperly displayed license plate.
- Unlawful use of a driver’s license.
- Leaving the scene of an accident.
- Driving a motor vehicle without authorization.
- Failure to show proof of insurance.
- Parking in a handicapped spot.
- Habitual traffic offender.
- Driving with an expired tag or vehicle registration number.
- Having illegal tint.
No matter the type of traffic ticket that you received, do not pay it! It is imperative that you reach out to a traffic ticket attorney with experience who can guide you through the legal system and help you to resolve your legal issues. Our law firm will aggressively challenge a traffic ticket and work hard to get the charges reduced, dismissed, or request a withhold of adjudication on your behalf. Contact The Law Place today to set up a free consultation.
Traffic Tickets Requiring a Mandatory Court Appearance in Port Charlotte, FL.
You might have no choice but to make an appearance in court, even if a police officer issued you a civil infraction. The type of traffic infractions that require a mandatory court appearance usually involves serious factors.
Florida Statute 318.19 states that a driver who was issued a traffic citation for the following infractions is required to make an appearance in court:
- An infraction resulted in a car accident that caused ‘serious bodily injury.’
- An infraction that resulted in a car accident that caused the death of another person.
- An infraction for failing to stop for a school bus where children were present.
- An infraction for a load from a vehicle dropping, falling, shifting, or blowing away.
- An infraction for speeding 30 miles per hour over the speed limit.
Penalties for Moving Violations in Port Charlotte, FL.
You might think that it is pointless to fight against a minor traffic violation, such as failing to yield, and you believe that the police officer who pulled you over has much more authority than you do. How bad can a fine be, right?
The reality is that the cost of a traffic ticket can be high, especially for the average citizen in the State of Florida. The money that you will give to pay the traffic ticket could have gone towards paying for insurance, gas, or other costs of living. In addition, paying a traffic ticket might leave you with even more serious consequences to follow. Other consequences include an increase in your insurance rates, points on your driving license, and much more.
You will need to hire a Port Charlotte traffic ticket attorney to help you fight against the charges of a traffic ticket and avoid the penalties. Contact The Law Place today to set up a free consultation.
The Points System in Port Charlotte, FL.
Your traffic ticket does not end as soon as you pay the fine. There are other consequences that you must consider, such as the points that you will receive on your license.
Every moving violation has a specific value of points. For instance, if you have been pulled over by a police officer for failing to yield, then you will receive three points on your license if you decide to plead guilty and pay the fine. The Florida points system will range from three to six points in the case of careless driving or failing to leave your identifying information after a car accident in Port Charlotte.
When the points add up, they can have serious consequences in the future. For example, if you receive twelve points in one year, then your license will be suspended for up to thirty days. If you receive eighteen points in eighteen months or twenty-four points in thirty-six months, then your license will also be suspended for a certain amount of time under Florida law.
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The Risks of Representing Yourself in Port Charlotte, FL.
If you are thinking of representing yourself as a way to save a little money, then you must understand the pressure that you are taking on. You probably do not have the experience to manage your case on your own, and you will most likely fail to achieve the outcome that you desire. That is why you will need to hire a criminal defense lawyer with the necessary experience and knowledge to take on your case and guide you through the legal system.
A criminal defense lawyer will investigate your case, gather facts, challenge the statements by the police officer, and develop a strong defense strategy that will fight against your charges. The main priority of a criminal defense attorney from The Law Place will be to get your traffic ticket dismissed at any cost! You will save the costs of paying the fine and avoid the stress of handling the case on your own. Reach out to The Law Place today to set up a free consultation.
From the initial call to updates on your case status, we are here to get you answers.
Traffic Ticket FAQS in Port Charlotte, FL.
What Are the Most Common Traffic Tickets That Are Issued in the State of Florida?
Police officers can issue traffic tickets for a variety of different violations in the state. The data collected by the Annual Uniform Traffic Citation Report shows the most common traffic tickets that were issued in Orange County in the year 2018:
- Red light camera tickets.
- Speeding violations.
- Careless driving tickets.
- Toll violation fines.
- Driving with a suspended or revoked license.
- Improper lane change tickets.
- Stop sign violations.
How Do I Fight a Traffic Ticket in the State of Florida?
If you were issued a traffic citation, you would always have the right to challenge the ticket in the state. If it is the best option for you to fight the ticket or not will ultimately depend on the facts and circumstances of your case. It is worth checking your ticket to find the instructions so that you can initiate the dispute. If you are ready to fight the traffic ticket, then we strongly recommend that you speak to a professional criminal defense attorney from The Law Place. They will help you to build a strong case that will get your traffic ticket dismissed altogether.
What Does It Mean to Be Labeled as a Habitual Traffic Offender (HTO) in the State of Florida?
If you plead guilty or were convicted of three serious traffic violations or fifteen moving violations within five years, then you will be labeled as a habitual traffic offender (HTO) in the state. The label of habitual traffic offender is very serious, and the status automatically comes with a five-year revocation of your license. If you have been labeled as a habitual traffic offender or you are at risk of being labeled, then you will need to speak to a traffic ticket lawyer as soon as possible. You could still have options to avoid the label, save your license or even obtain a temporary hardship license with the help of a traffic ticket lawyer from The Law Place.
Can I Go to Jail for Driving With a Suspended License in the State of Florida?
It is classed as a criminal violation to drive with a suspended license by the state. You will be charged with committing a second-degree misdemeanor for driving with a suspended or revoked license, even if it is your first offense. A conviction for driving with a suspended license includes paying a $500 fine and spending up to 60 days in prison. In addition, your license could be suspended for a longer amount of time or could even be revoked completely by the state. If you have been arrested for driving with a suspended license or your license is at risk of being suspended or revoked, you could still have options to save your license or obtain a hardship license. You must call a traffic ticket lawyer with experience for help and legal advice as soon as possible.
Contact The Law Place Today in Port Charlotte, FL.
If you received a traffic ticket for violating the rules of the road, you should always opt to fight against the charges. It is possible that you might have been wrongfully charged for your offense, and you must seek legal counsel from a law firm that you can trust in Port Charlotte.
At The Law Place, we have over seventy-five years of combined experience in helping clients who are facing traffic tickets in Port Charlotte and throughout the State of Florida. Our law firm has managed hundreds of traffic tickets on behalf of clients with great success, and we know that we can help you too.
If you put your trust in us, a traffic ticket lawyer will investigate the charges, gather facts, build a strong defense, and fight for a favorable outcome for your case. We will do all of the work while you sit back and relax. When you work with The Law Place, you will always be sure to succeed. The phone lines to our office are open twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week so that you can call us at any time of the day.
Contact The Law Place on (941) 444-4444 to schedule a free consultation today, and a traffic ticket attorney will fight against the charges of your traffic ticket in Port Charlotte.