In Sarasota, police officers hand out hundreds of traffic tickets every day for crimes such as speeding, running a red light, and careless driving. The Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) website states that more than 3.6 million traffic tickets were issued in 2014, with 26% being issued by the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP). The top three traffic ticket offenses issued in 2014 were for speeding, an invalid license, and an expired tag.
Whilst it is not uncommon to receive a traffic ticket in your lifetime, not everyone is aware of how serious the consequences can be. You may face penalties such as points on your driver’s record, a potential suspension of your license, and even jail time for those that commit more serious traffic offenses.
If you or a loved one have received a traffic ticket in Sarasota, then The Law Place is here to help. With an abundance of experience in dealing with cases like yours, our traffic ticket attorneys are on hand to support you with your claim and help reduce the penalties and charges being brought against you. Call us today at (941) 444-4444 and receive a free consultation with a knowledgeable ticket attorney.
Types of Traffic Tickets
There are two basic types of traffic tickets in Florida: moving violations and non-moving violations. Moving violations occur when a driver does not obey traffic laws while the vehicle is moving, and non-moving violations occur when the vehicle is stationary.
All traffic fines are categorized as civil or criminal offenses. Civil offenses may result in fines and points on your license, whereas criminal offenses are much more serious and result in greater penalties.
For a free legal consultation with a traffic ticket lawyer lawyer serving Sarasota, call 941-444-4444
Civil Traffic Tickets
- Speeding.
- Running a red light.
- Running a stop sign.
- Careless driving.
- Broken headlight or taillight.
- Driving without a seatbelt.
- Driving with an expired license.
- Failure to obey a traffic control signal.
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Criminal Traffic Tickets
- Driving under the influence.
- Reckless driving.
- Driving on a suspended driver’s license.
- Driving with no valid driver’s license.
- Refusal to cooperate with orders from police or traffic officials.
- Hit and run.
- Habitual traffic offenders.
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Sarasota Traffic Ticket Fines
Florida Statute 318.18 outlines the fines for moving and non-moving traffic violations in Florida. Fines vary between counties and can range from $100-$400. The circumstances of your traffic violation will impact the severity of your fine.
Fines increase dramatically for speeding near a school, in a construction zone, or residential area. In addition, if you are caught speeding 30 miles per hour or more over the speed limit, then you will also have to attend a mandatory court appearance.
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Florida Traffic Ticket Points System
Like many other states, Florida uses a points system to track traffic violations. The number of points issued on a driver’s license depends on the severity of the traffic violation. Some examples of the penalties for specific violations are as follows:
- Speeding – 3 points.
- Careless driving – 3 points.
- Failure to stop at a steady red signal – 3 points.
- Too fast for conditions – 3 points.
- Reckless driving – 4 points.
- Failure to obey traffic control signals – 4 points.
- An accident caused by a speeding violation – 6 points.
- Leaving the scene of an accident with more than $50 in damage – 6 points.
Depending on the circumstances of your traffic violation, you may be able to attend a traffic school course to reduce the penalties being brought against you. Individuals can attend driving school once a year, and for a total of five times throughout their lifetime. For more serious offenses, such as reckless driving, the option of attending driving school to mitigate penalties is not an option. Furthermore, if a driving course is part of your sentencing, then you won’t be able to minimize points by attending.
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It is worthwhile knowing that all traffic tickets issued to a person will add points to their driving record. As a result, these points will likely increase insurance rates and cause a financial burden. Plus, if a person receives too many points within a given time period, for example, 12 points over the course of 12 months, then this will result in a license suspension. A loss of license can have life-changing consequences as it may prevent you from getting to work and picking your children up from school.
At The Law Place in Sarasota, our personal injury lawyers are here to help you with your claim and will work to minimize the penalties being brought against you. Our traffic ticket lawyers offer all our customers a free consultation, where we will check the legitimacy of your case and provide some free no-obligation legal advice and information. Our phone lines are open 24 hours a day 7 days a week, so we can be here to support you when you need it most. Call us today at (941) 444-4444.
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