Traffic Ticket Lawyer in Okeechobee County
About Okeechobee County
Okeechobee County is located in south Florida. According to the 2011 estimates by the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a population of 40,140 people. The largest city in Okeechobee County is Okeechobee. Historical landmarks in the county include the County Courthouse and Okeechobee Battlefield.
Law Enforcement and Circuit Courts in Okeechobee County
Law enforcement in Okeechobee County is managed by the Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office and Okeechobee Police Department. You may also receive citations from the Florida Highway Patrol if you violate state traffic laws in Okeechobee County.
Okeechobee County is part of Florida’s Nineteenth Judicial Circuit Court. The county courthouse, including traffic court, is located at 312 Northwest 3rd Street in Okeechobee, Florida.
Okeechobee County has two circuit judges and one county judge. The circuit judges are Judge Robert E. Belanger and Judge Elizabeth A. Metzger. The county judge is Judge Jerald D. Bryant.
Although Okeechobee County is relatively small, navigating the court system can be difficult. You need to know if the traffic ticket is managed by the circuit or civil court, and if the ticket is a civil or criminal case. A traffic lawyer is familiar with the legal processes in Okeechobee County. Your trial lawyer navigates the court system for you, saving you time and money.
Traffic Tickets in Okeechobee County
Law enforcement in Okeechobee County issues traffic tickets for moving and non-moving violations. Moving violations occur while you are driving your vehicle. Traffic tickets for non-moving violations are issued in situations where you are not driving your vehicle, and include expired parking meters and parking in a handicapped parking space without a permit.
A traffic lawyer understands the moving and non-moving violations in Okeechobee County. If you do not understand why you received a traffic ticket, a traffic lawyer can explain the laws that apply to your Okeechobee County citation.
Pay, Fight or Attend Traffic School
Before you pay your ticket, you should understand your options for handling your traffic ticket. In Okeechobee County, you can pay the ticket, fight the ticket or, in some cases, attend traffic school.
Paying a traffic ticket from Okeechobee County is considered a guilty plea by the court. As a result, points are added to your driving record. Fighting your ticket requires knowledge and experience.
Discussing your case with a traffic lawyer can help you win your case in court. A traffic lawyer understands the city, county and state laws in Okeechobee County. Before your court date, a traffic lawyer conducts an investigation into your case, including gathering testimony from witnesses. In some cases, a traffic lawyer can help you handle your ticket without going to court. Florida offers driving courses that you can attend, which may result in your case being dismissed.
Points and Your Driving Privileges
Florida uses a points system to track your traffic violations. You can be found guilty of a traffic violation when you pay your ticket, or if you lose your case in court. When you are found guilty, the state adds points to your driving record, based on the specific traffic violation. For example, you receive
* Three (3) points for not using, or improper use of, child restraints while operating your vehicle
* Three (3) points for driving the wrong way down a street
* Four (4) points for failing to stop for a school bus
When you have 12 or more points on your record, your license may be suspended or revoked. Your insurance company monitors your driving record, and if you have too many points, your insurance premiums may increase.
A traffic lawyer can help you avoid having points added onto your driving record. In some cases, the traffic lawyer may be able to reduce the violation, or have it dismissed if you attend traffic school.
If you have a traffic ticket from Okeechobee County, call our law firm to discuss your case.
