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Tampa Criminal Defense
Tampa Criminal Defense
Tampa Criminal Defense
Tampa Criminal Defense
Tampa Criminal Defense

Recent Posts in Fight your Ticket Category

February 12, 2013

How an Attorney Can Help You Fight Your Traffic Ticket

Here’s an obvious conclusion for you: traffic tickets are no fun. When you are pulled over and cited with a traffic ticket in Florida, you have three basic options on how to proceed: pay the ticket, ignore the ticket or fight the ticket. Unfortunately, many Florida drivers are unaware that fighting a traffic ticket is an option and even less aware of the benefits of working with an attorney on your tickets. And to clarify—ignoring a traffic ticket of any kind is never a good idea. Same holds true for any type of notice dealing with the Florida civil or criminal justice system.

The reality is that traffic tickets can have a much more reaching effect than simply putting a dent in your bank account. Multiple tickets within a given time frame can serve to drive up your insurance premiums significantly, add points to your Florida driving record and ultimately cause you to have your license revoked or suspended for a given period of time. Even minor traffic offenses, if repeated too many times, can have serious implications on your ability to drive.

So how can an attorney help you with your Florida traffic ticket? Here’s a look at some of the things we can help you with when it comes to your traffic tickets:

  • Evaluate the ticket
  • Explain the process
  • Review your driving record
  • Represent you in court

More than just arguing your side of why you should not have received the ticket, an attorney’s job begins well before you go before a judge.…

January 24, 2013

Road Rage Can Also Get You Arrested

We all experience those frustrating moments when another car cuts you off or a driver does something that is not only breaking the law but breaking your tolerance. Commonly known as road rage, drivers that experience uncontrollable anger towards another driver can also get in big trouble with the Florida police. Whether you experience this type of rage every once in a while, or it is a daily occurrence during your commute, here’s a look at how road rage can also get you arrested in Florida:

 – Distracted driving: giving the other driver the finger, tailgating or driving in a way to annoy the other driver can actually get you in trouble with the law. While you are trying to “get back” at the other driver you are also  – taking your eyes and attention off the road. Distracted driving can come in many forms: talking on the phone, putting makeup on and now let’s add road rage to the list. Trying to get back at the offensive driver may ultimately leave you with a costly traffic ticket to deal with.
 – Assault: Have you seen the scenario in which two drivers are so enraged at each other that they actually pull over to duke it out?…

December 17, 2012

Traffic Tickets and Car Insurance: An Expensive Combination

For many, traffic tickets are more of a headache that anything else. After getting pulled over, having to pay a ticket may seem like you can finally put an end to the annoying ordeal. But not so fast! Did you know that when you pay a ticket and do not attend traffic school (either by choice or because it was not offered), you will have points placed on your Florida driving record? And the more points you have the bigger loser you become in the driving game. This is why it is important to always keep track of your Florida driving record—you may have points on there you did not know about! Paying your Florida traffic ticket is an automatic admission of guilt, a little known fact by many Florida drivers.

Your Florida auto insurance rates are influenced by a variety of factors, including: vehicle type, age and where you live. Some insurance companies even offer special discounts for being a good student. But nothing causes your rates to go up or down the way a good or bad driving record does. And usually when your rates go up, they stay there for a while.

Points can not only lead to a suspended Florida driver’s license, they also cause your car insurance premiums to go up.…

November 28, 2012

Florida Police Ticket Drivers For Speeding More Than Any Other State

Did you know that today, in 1995 President Bill Clinton ended the federal 55 MPH maximum speed limit? In doing away with a federally-imposed maximum speed limit, states were free to set their speed limits as they see fit. Texas took advantage of this change and has since had the highest speed limit in the nation at 85MPH. Although Florida drivers are not allowed to drive that fast on any highway in the state, if you choose to put the pedal to the metal in Florida then be prepared to pay.

In a recent study of national traffic data examined by Carinsruancequotes.com, the results show that speeding drivers are more likely to be ticketed in Florida than any other state in the nation. That’s right, you speed on the streets and highways in Florida, your chances are much higher than if you speed in another state. One city that you should be especially weary of is Waldo, Florida. Waldo made the list for one of the worst cities for speed traps.

The Bradenton Herald reports that Florida police issued 17,995 non-non criminal traffic citations for speeding above the posted limit last year alone. Bringing that number well past 20,000 were the additional 6,132 citations that were issued for driving too fast for the conditions.…

November 28, 2012

Tampa Traffic School 101

Remember the excitement surrounding studying and practicing for your driver’s license as a teenager. The potential to drive around town with your friends was enough to inspire many to learn the rules of the road. Well it may be time to revisit the excitement and dive into relearning the rules of the road. If you were recently given the option to avoid points on your record and attend traffic school then this is one class you should take. Available for civil infractions, attending traffic school is a very good idea. Not only will it help you avoid points and keep your insurance rates down, but can also help refresh your memory on important rules that will hopefully avoid future traffic tickets.

When you receive a ticket for a citation in Tampa, you are presented with three basic options:

  1. Pay the ticket: If you decide to simply pay the ticket then you will not only be admitting guilt but also automatically placing points on your driving record.
  2. Elect traffic school: When this option is available, take it. Can we say that enough in this blog?!
  3. Fight the ticket: Fighting the ticket is always an option, although choosing to do it on your own may not be the best idea.
November 20, 2012

A Look at Florida Traffic Tickets

Did you know that almost fifteen percent of all moving violations in the country come from Florida alone? Knowing the strictness with which the Florida police approach traffic violations, cautious driving is essential anytime you are on the road. But even the best of drivers can still get caught for one violation of a Florida traffic law or another.

Much different than criminal cases in which there is often a state of mind requirement the prosecution must prove as part of the crime, the majority of traffic tickets issued in Florida do not require any type of mental intent on the part of the driver at all, just proof that he or she actually committed the act. A legal concept known as strict liability, when the police and/or prosecution can prove that the driver acted in particular manners (i.e. speeding) then they have also proved guilt. Strict liability traffic offenses in Florida includes:

  • Speeding
  • Overdue parking meters
  • Not using turn signals
  • Parking in a handicapped zone without authorization

Defenses for any of the above mentioned strict liability traffic offenses are fairly straightforward—proof that the driver did not commit the act. When a Florida driver receives a traffic citation or ticket, it will indicate the nature of the violations as well as information on how and when to respond to the ticket.…

November 2, 2012

Hold Up: How To Handle Traffic Stops In Sarasota

What to do if you get pulled over in Sarasota, Florida

Getting pulled over is never a fun experience. However, you can make the experience easier on yourself by staying calm, being prepared and not giving the police any reason for further suspicion. Staying in control of your emotions and the situation will also help you down the line if you choose to fight any ticket you may receive. Here are the top five tips for handling a traffic stop in Sarasota.

  1. Pull Over: As soon as you see the flashing lights in your rear view mirror (or other indication that you are being pulled over) be sure to do so quickly so the police officer knows you are not trying to escape the stop. Always use necessary signals when getting over and try to position your vehicle in a safe location on the side of the road.
  2. Calm Down: It is easy to get overly emotional before even speaking to the police officer. Whether the officer is nice or not, you should approach the conversation politely. Other than rolling down your window to speak with the police officer, you should remain relatively still and wait until you are told to show your license and registration.
February 3, 2012

How to choose a Traffic Ticket Attorney

The most important factor in choosing an attorney to fight your ticket is whether or not you feel comfortable hiring them. A large factor in your feeling comfortable is the attorney’s experience and their availability. You want an attorney who knows what they are doing. You also want an attorney who won’t ignore your calls. A good attorney can explain things to you in a way that you can understand them so you can make the best decision for you. When hiring an attorney ask them the following questions:

  1. How many times have you been in traffic court? The higher the number of times, the more likely it is that the attorney knows what they are doing. The more an attorney practices in a certain area, the more the attorney knows about it. Traffic court works differently than a criminal courtroom. The State is not present. It is only the officer who wrote you the ticket. This means the attorney’s approach has to be a bit different than in a traditional courtroom if they are going to win your case. If they have never been in traffic court before, an attorney may be out of their league.
  2. Are you available to answer my questions?
September 8, 2010

Florida Traffic Ticket News – North Florida Law Enforcement Issues Tons Of Traffic Citations Over Labor Day Weekend

There were plenty of traffic citations written in Florida on Labor Day weekend. The number of DUI arrests in Florida was not terribly high.
July 29, 2010

Tampa Traffic Ticket News – USF Football Player Arrested For Misdemeanor Traffic Charge In Tampa

This USF football player has a history of traffic tickets in Hillsborough County. He was recently arrested for driving without a valid license for the second time.
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