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. Because your car is registered to your home address, notice of the ticket also comes in the mail. You do not always have to wait for the postman to deliver your citation for you to take action and can often send required payment when the citation involves parking violations.
If you take away anything from reading this post then remember this, when you pay your traffic ticket in Florida you are also admitting guilt. That’s right, whether you are mailing in payment for something as simple as an overdue meter or for a major speeding violation, payment constitutes an admission of guilt. A guilty charge on your driving record can also mean points attached to your driving record and the potential for a suspended license if these points add up to the minimum for suspension. Additionally, the presence of points on your driving record will almost always end up in an increase in your driving insurance premiums as well.
For many people in Florida, driving is their livelihood. Getting to work or school is an everyday occurrence and the potential for a suspended license as a result of too many points on your record could have a devastating effect on your life. We recommend that prospective clients do not pay their tickets right away and let us assess the merits of their case. The attorneys at Finebloom & Haenel P.A. are familiar with the rules and regulations of the road and will work hard to get you the best result possible when it comes to fighting your Florida traffic tickets. Give us a call today for a free consultation to discuss your case.
