Speeding and Traffic Tickets

When motorists are pulled over for a minor traffic infraction, their interaction with law enforcement can result in a speeding ticket or other traffic law violation. When the penalty involves a fine, many people choose to pay, believing this is the easiest way to deal with the ticket. In reality, for every minor infraction received, points are added to a motorist’s driving record that can result in fines and increasingly higher fees.

The point system is a graduated scale, and an accumulation of points can even lead to a driver’s license suspension. In addition, an overabundance of speeding tickets or other driving infractions can cause a driver’s insurance rates to skyrocket. In some cases, insurance companies may even cancel the policy. For this reason, it is essential that you have a lawyer to fight traffic tickets. Alba & Straile PLLC is a traffic violation law firm that handles civil and criminal traffic matters to protect your rights and best interests.

In every Civil Traffic Offense, the Accused has Three Choices:

• First: An alleged offender can plead guilty and pay the fine for the traffic ticket. The court will add points to their driving record, resulting in a suspended license as they add up. Points can increase their insurance rates for months or years.
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• Second: If qualified, the alleged offender may elect to attend a driver improvement course or traffic school. A driver can only elect or choose traffic school once every twelve months and five times in a lifetime. Therefore, it is sometimes referred to as a “lifetime election.” Those with a Commercial Driver’s License cannot elect traffic school, so it is highly recommended to call an attorney right away for every traffic offense. There will be a fine to pay if this option is selected, but points are not assessed. However, for drivers from another state, the home state may NOT honor the election and still assess points on their license. They may even suspend the license. Check with your State’s issuing agency for more information.
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• Third: An alleged offender may elect to fight the traffic violation or traffic citation in court. The citation may be dismissed, or there may be a guilty verdict. If a ticket is not dismissed, the offender may owe money, and the judge may order them to attend a traffic school, but this does not count as an election.
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There is a mandatory hearing for drivers who receive a ticket exceeding 30 miles per hour over the posted limit. Hiring a traffic attorney can excuse the driver’s presence if they are unable to attend the hearing. The attorney can appear on behalf of the driver. It is the hearing that is mandatory and not the actual appearance of the driver.

High-speed cases, driving more than 50 mph over the speed limit, have more severe consequences than other speeding tickets. Repeat offenders are classified as third-degree felonies, with a mandatory fine of $5,000, losing your driver’s license for ten years, and spending up to five years in prison.

Contact our Florida Traffic Ticket Attorneys–Save your Driving Record and Insurance Rates

Alba & Straile PLLC represents clients in both civil and criminal traffic offenses. Attorneys Gilbert J. Alba and Christian A. Straile have the combined experience of more than three decades in civil and criminal law. We understand the emotional and financial toll a traffic ticket can take on individuals and their families. Our goal is to keep the points off your driving record and keep your insurance rates from going up. We strive for quick and stress-free counsel in resolving your traffic ticket issues. Often, there are mitigating circumstances and outside factors that result in a reduced or dismissed ticket.

Our law firm maintains a flexible appointment schedule to meet the needs of our clients. Free consultations are available for all criminal and traffic matters. Our telephones are answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Alba & Straile PLLC can address all of your traffic offenses efficiently and expediently for clients throughout Florida. Contact us at (352) 371-9141 to schedule a consultation.