Traffic Offense Lawyer in West Palm Beach, Florida
If you or a loved one has been arrested for a criminal traffic offense in West Palm Beach, FL or the surrounding areas of Palm Beach County, the Law Offices of Ian Goldstein can provide you with the skilled representation you need. When it comes to legal matters, you can trust that our South Florida criminal defense lawyers have years of experience. Please take advantage of our expertise. Get in touch with our legal team at (561) 600-0950 to find out what you can do right now to avoid criminal prosecution and preserve your driving privileges.
West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Martin, St. Lucie, and Broward County are all within Ian Goldstein's service area, and they all have cities in which he has successfully defended clients accused of serious traffic violations.
Examples of Traffic Violations in Florida
Fines, license suspension, and even jail time are possible consequences of even the most minor criminal traffic offenses.
Florida Statute 316.192 defines reckless driving as operating a motor vehicle without due regard for the safety of other persons or property.
The state of Florida has a high rate of drivers with suspended licenses. According to Section 322.34 of the Florida Statutes, anyone whose license has been suspended or revoked and who drives on Florida roads may be found guilty of a moving violation, misdemeanor, or felony, depending on the circumstances surrounding the license suspension, the number of prior offenses, and whether or not the alleged offender was aware of the suspension. Hire a West Palm Beach criminal traffic lawyer if you've been charged with driving while license suspended.
Those who have been issued multiple traffic tickets can be given a revocation of their driving privileges as habitual traffic offenders. According to Section 322.264 of the Florida Statutes, a person is considered a habitual traffic offender if they have three convictions for DUI and/or Driving While License Suspended offenses within a five-year period. A driver's license may be revoked permanently or suspended for up to five years for repeat traffic offenders.
Punishment for vehicular homicide is severe because it is a serious traffic violation. According to Florida Statute 782.07, “Vehicular homicide” is the killing of a human being, or the killing of an unborn child by any injury to the mother, caused by the operation of a motor vehicle by another in a reckless manner likely to cause the death of, or great bodily harm to, another.
Fleeing or eluding of law enforcement is another common traffic offense. According to Florida Statute 316.1935, anyone who is told to stop by a law enforcement officer and knows that they have been told to stop is guilty of a criminal traffic offense. This third-degree felony also applies to those who actively or unsuccessfully attempt to evade an officer.
To flee the scene of an accident, also known as a "hit-and-run," is a violation of Florida law, as defined in section 316.027. If you're in an auto accident and someone else is hurt, you must stop and wait until authorities give you permission to leave the scene. Anyone who willfully disobeys this law commits a third-degree felony.
It is a first-degree felony to leave the scene of an accident in which someone was killed. Moreover, if someone causes property damage or damage to another vehicle in a car accident and then deliberately flees the scene, they can be charged with a misdemeanor of the second degree under Florida Statute 316.061.
The Driving Point System in Florida
The state of Florida has implemented a point system that penalizes offenders for certain transgressions. License suspensions can occur if a driver reaches a certain point total within a given time frame.
If you are found guilty after a trial for a traffic ticket or a criminal citation, or you pay the citation in lieu of going to court, you will receive the following points for each infraction:
- Toll violations – 3 points
- Speeding 15 miles or less over the speed limit – 3 points
- Parking on a highway – 3 points
- All other moving violations – 3 points
- Child restraint violations – 3 points
- Driver in possession of an open container – 3 points
- Speeding more than 15 miles over the speed limit – 4 points
- Passing a stopped school bus – 4 points
- Driving during restricted hours – 4 points
- Running a red light – 4 points
- Reckless driving – 4 points
- Crash caused by any other moving violation – 4 points
- Leaving the scene of a crash with more than $50 in property damage – 6 points
- Crash caused by a speeding violation – 6 points
A driver's license can be suspended for 30 days after 12 points are accumulated within one year. The driver's license suspension period can be extended to 90 days if 18 points are accumulated within a 15-month time period. A driver's license can be suspended for 12 months after receiving 24 points within 3 years.
Eligible drivers who receive a moving violation infraction can enroll in a traffic school to avoid the associated points. A driver can choose traffic school only once per year and a maximum of five times in a 10-year period. One must give notice to the Clerk of Court that they have chosen to go to traffic school as an alternative to having their driving privileges suspended. Those who hold a CDL are not eligible to use this feature. If you are not found guilty of the infraction, or the court "withholds adjudication," you will not receive any points on your traffic record.
You may be eligible for a hardship license if you have had your license suspended for too many points and you complete a 12-hour Advanced Driving Improvement course and pay the required fee for reinstatement and any other fees.
West Palm Traffic Offense Attorney Near Me
Call the Law Offices of Ian Goldstein if you need help with a traffic ticket in Palm Beach County, West Palm Beach, Broward County, or Fort Lauderdale. The Palm Beach criminal defense lawyers at our firm will evaluate your case and advise you on whether or not you have a reasonable chance of having the charges against you dropped or reduced. If you would like a free consultation to discuss your traffic ticket with Ian Goldstein, please call (561) 600-0950 or send an online message.
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If you or a loved one have been arrested and charged with Driving Under the Influence, call (561) 600-0950 to contact the Law Offices of Ian Goldstein today to speak with an experienced Palm Beach County Drug Defense Lawyer.