Connect With Us on Facebook Follow on Twitter Visit our Linked In Profile Visit our Google +1! Visit us on Youtube.
Tampa Criminal Defense
Tampa Criminal Defense
Tampa Criminal Defense
Tampa Criminal Defense
Tampa Criminal Defense

Recent Posts in Traffic 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?…

January 10, 2013

Tips To Avoid Florida Traffic Tickets

Florida traffic tickets are not only expensive but can also cost you your driver’s license if you get too many in a certain period of time. Additionally, these slips of paper can cause your insurance premiums to go up or cause you to get dropped from your insurance entirely. On the reverse end, having a clean (or mostly clean) driving record actually leads to sizeable discounts on your insurance premiums every year. With that in mind, we thought it would be helpful to provide some tips on how you can avoid Florida traffic tickets. Here’s our top four:

  1. Know the speed limit: Have a lead foot? Then this tip especially applies to you! The easiest way to avoid a costly speeding ticket is to know the speed limit on the roads you are driving on! Speed limits can change quickly, and so should your speed if you want to avoid a ticket. This is especially true if you are driving near schools, construction zones or residential areas.
  2. Look for Police: With the expectation of undercover vehicles, you already know what local police and highway patrol cars look like. Make looking out for the very cars that will issue you a ticket part of your driving routine.
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.…

December 14, 2012

What Happens If You Drive With Expired Vehicle Registration In Tampa?

No valid vehicle registration, expired vehicle registration and attaching an unassigned registration tag to your car are three of the bigger issues Tampa drivers have to deal with when it comes to vehicle registration. Unfortunately, all three of these registration issues come with potential jail time—a punishment that is even more alarming when you think of the fact that many Tampa drivers may not even be aware of the offense! The purpose behind requiring Tampa drivers to register their car every year is two-fold: to help establish clear ownership and to provide an additional source of revenue for the state of Florida. At the time of registering your car, be sure to bring proof of insurance and financial responsibility with you or you may be turned away.

Perhaps one of the bigger issues Tampa drivers face when it comes to vehicle registration is those scenarios in which the driver is driving around with expired vehicle registration. Florida police can find this out in a number of ways, including: the tag on your car (hence the different colors every year), running your license plate and when the officer asks for your registration when you are pulled over. The problem is that many drivers may not even be aware that their registration is expired and unfortunately, this is not an excuse the Tampa police readily accept.…

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 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?
October 22, 2010

Bradenton Drug Charges – Manatee Traffic Stop Leads To Police Chase And Cocaine Trafficking Charges

A routine traffic stop for a speeding ticket issued by radar turned into a police chase. When the pursuit ended the driver was arrested for numerous charges including cocaine trafficking.
Web Analytics