If you received a traffic ticket from a police officer in Venice, you might need to call a criminal defense lawyer to make sure that you have not been wrongfully charged.
It is important that you understand your legal rights under Florida law and that you are aware of the type of ticket that you have been issued. For instance, a non-criminal traffic violation can result in fines, added points on your driver’s license, and an increase in your insurance rates. On the other hand, a criminal traffic violation can result in jail time and other more serious consequences. Nevertheless, if you have been charged with a non-criminal traffic violation or a criminal traffic offense, you must protect your legal rights by calling a criminal defense lawyer today.
The Law Place has over seventy-five years of collective experience and knowledge when it comes to fighting traffic tickets in Venice and throughout the State of Florida. Our law firm has fought and won hundreds of traffic ticket cases, and we will be your strongest advocate.
Our team of criminal defense lawyers has the necessary skills and resources to investigate your Venice traffic ticket and find out whether you have been incorrectly charged by a police officer. Our law firm will work hard to achieve the best results for your case by challenging your ticket in Venice.
Contact The Law Place now on (941) 444-4444 to schedule a free consultation, and we will fight your traffic ticket together in Venice.
What to Do After Receiving a Traffic Ticket in Venice, FL.
The most common contact that you will likely have with law enforcement is when you receive a traffic ticket in Venice. Police officers will pull you over and issue you a ticket if they catch you violating a traffic law. Many people will simply pay the fine as they believe it is the easiest way to resolve the situation, but there are a number of reasons why you should hire a criminal defense lawyer instead. They will not only protect your best interests and offer you a favorable outcome, but they will also prevent you from having to suffer the consequences that come with traffic infractions.
If you have been issued a traffic ticket, remember:
- Do not pay the fine until you have consulted with a criminal defense lawyer. If you pay the fine, this is recognized as an admission of guilt, which will result in points being added to your driver’s license, higher insurance rates, and the court will even consider suspending your driver’s license.
- Be civil and cooperative with the police officer who issues you the traffic ticket.
- Do not make a statement that could be considered an admission of guilt, as your words might be used against you in court later on.
- Write down details about the incident, such as time, location, circumstances, and more. This also includes taking pictures of the scene and anything else that is relevant to the case.
It is not uncommon for many drivers to feel uncertain about their legal rights when they receive a traffic ticket. Most drivers will pay the fine without fully understanding the consequences that come with it. In some cases, you might have to go to court, and your driver’s license will be suspended, along with facing other criminal charges. However, the good news is that you can fight your traffic ticket, regardless of how small the ticket might seem. You have the right to hire a criminal defense lawyer to protect your future.
Moving vs. Non-moving Traffic Tickets in Venice, FL.
A moving violation is recognized as a crime that a driver commits when their vehicle is in motion. There are a number of different moving violations that a driver can receive from a police officer, and it is important that you are aware of them all.
A non-moving violation tends to concern parking, paperwork, and other offenses that can happen when a driver is not in motion. They are both recognized as traffic violations in the eyes of the law, but they each carry different penalties.
Here are some of the most common moving violations in Venice:
- Careless driving.
- Causing an accident.
- Racing and reckless driving.
- Failure to obey a traffic control device.
- Stop sign violations.
- Failing to signal a turn.
- Improper lane change.
- Driving too fast for the conditions.
Here are some of the most common non-moving violations in Venice:
- Improperly displayed license plate.
- Driving with a suspended license.
- Habitual traffic offender.
- Driving without insurance.
- Unlawful use of a driver’s license.
- Failure to show proof of insurance.
- Driving without a license.
- Driving with an expired tag or vehicle registration.
- Parking in a restricted area.
- Driving a motor vehicle without authorization.
- Parking in a handicapped spot.
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Your Options When You Receive a Traffic Ticket in Venice, FL.
- You can pay the ticket by going online, by mail, or in person. However, it will count as an adjudication of guilt, and points will be added to your driver’s license alongside seeing your insurance rates increase.
- Go to driving school, if eligible. Once you complete the 4-hour course, you will not receive points on your driving record as adjudication will be withheld. However, you cannot go to driving school if your traffic ticket requires a mandatory court appearance or if you are a commercial vehicle driver. You can only go to driving school five times in your lifetime and only once within a period of 12 months.
- Fight the ticket. If you are not eligible to go to driving school or if you choose not to go, then you can hire a criminal defense attorney to fight the charges and protect your legal rights in Venice.
We’re Florida’s top litigation team with over 75 years of combined experience
Points System in Venice, FL.
Speeding tickets are the most common types of traffic tickets that are issued in Venice and across the State of Florida. A speeding ticket usually carries large fines and 3 or 4 points added to your driver’s license. In some cases, a speeding ticket can lead to the suspension of your driver’s license.
The points system in Florida means that points can be added to your driver’s license in the event that you are adjudicated guilty. It is also worth noting that your driver’s license will be suspended if you receive 12 or more points within one year.
It is important that you know what to do as soon as you receive a traffic ticket, so reach out to a criminal defense attorney today. Call The Law Place to set up a free consultation.
From the initial call to updates on your case status, we are here to get you answers.
Mandatory Court Appearance for Traffic Tickets in Venice, FL.
You might be required to make an appearance in court if a police officer wrote you a traffic ticket with a civil infraction. It is considered a serious traffic infraction if you are being summoned to court, and you must understand your legal rights under Florida law.
Florida Statute 318.19 states that a driver who was issued a traffic ticket must appear in court for the following infractions:
- An infraction that causes a car accident that results in ‘serious bodily injury.
- An infraction that causes a car accident that results in the wrongful death of another person.
- A driver that fails to stop for a school bus if there are children present at the time.
- A load that drops, shifts, falls or blows away from a vehicle.
- A speeding ticket for traveling 30 miles per hour or more above the speed limit.
Traffic Tickets FAQS in Venice, FL.
- How did they catch my speed? – There are four ways that speed is captured: radar, laser, aircraft, and pacing.
- What are the most common traffic tickets? – A police officer can issue traffic tickets for a variety of different violations on the road. The Annual Uniform Traffic Citation Report stated that the most common traffic tickets that are issued include: speeding violations, careless driving tickets, improper lane change tickets, red light camera tickets, toll violation fines, driving with a suspended/revoked driver’s license, and stop sign violations.
- Can I go to jail for driving with a suspended license? – The answer is yes. It is considered a criminal violation to drive with a suspended license in the State of Florida. You will be charged with a second-degree misdemeanor, even if this is your first offense. A conviction will include having to spend up to 60 days in prison and paying a $500 fine. In addition, your driver’s license might be suspended for a longer period of time, or it might even be revoked completely. However, you could still have options to save your driver’s license, even if it is at risk of being suspended or revoked. It is imperative that you reach out to a criminal defense lawyer for help. Our law firm will explore every available option for you to receive a hardship license.
- What does it mean to be labeled as a habitual traffic offender (HTO)? – If you were convicted or you pled guilty to three traffic violations that are classed as being serious, or you committed fifteen moving violations within five years, then you will be labeled as a habitual traffic offender (HTO) by the State of Florida. You should not take the label lightly, as it means that your driver’s license will be revoked for up to 5 years. In this circumstance, it is especially important that you contact a criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible. Our law firm is ready to take action.
- How do I fight a traffic ticket? – If you were issued a traffic ticket, then you always have the option to fight it. Whether it is worth challenging the ticket or not will ultimately depend on the circumstances surrounding your case. Check the details written on your ticket. If you feel like you have been wrongfully charged, then you should hire a criminal defense attorney to fight against the ticket.
Contact The Law Place Today in Venice, FL.
If a police officer pulled you over and issued you a traffic ticket on the road, you might feel compelled to just pay the fine and move on with your life. However, this could be a mistake, and you should seek legal counsel from a criminal defense lawyer who will be able to explain the situation to you.
The Law Place has over seventy-five years of combined experience in dealing with traffic tickets and winning cases for people in Venice and all over the State of Florida. Our team of criminal defense lawyers will guide you through the legal system and fight against the charges that come with traffic tickets.
A traffic violation can lead to plenty of consequences, such as large fines, higher insurance rates, points added to your driver’s license, going to driving school, the possibility of losing your driving privileges, and even going to jail. Our law firm will work hard to keep your record clean and make sure that you do not lose your driver’s license. Rest assured that we will secure the best possible outcome for your case in Venice.
Contact The Law Place now on (941) 444-4444 to schedule a free consultation, and we will fight your traffic ticket together in Venice. Phone lines are open 24/7.
