Top Tampa, FL Traffic Violation Lawyers Near You

What Counts as a Traffic Violation?

Traffic law covers the rules that drivers must follow on the road. It includes offenses like speeding, running a red light, reckless driving, and DUI (driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs). Traffic violations can result in fines, points on your license, increased insurance rates, and even jail time. The goal is to ensure road safety and enforce legal driving behavior. Traffic rules are set by Florida and Tampa governments.

What Happens When You Get a Traffic Violation?

The process of a traffic violation differs from state to state. Generally, a police officer issues a ticket or citation for a moving violation or a non-moving violation. Depending on the traffic laws in your state and your driving record, you may be facing paying fines or penalties, increased insurance costs, points on your license, traffic school, license suspension or revocation, and potentially appearing in court. After reviewing your ticket, you may decide to pay the fine and admit guilt to the violations or you can contest the ticket in court.

How Long Do You Have To Attend Traffic School?

Many traffic school programs that would keep a traffic ticket off of your record are only a few hours. A program like this can pay big dividends in helping you get out from under having a ticket make your auto insurance premiums skyrocket. Your attorney can help you better understand your options.

How Long Do You Have To Pay a Traffic Violation in Florida?

The amount of time you have to pay a traffic violation depends on a few factors. First and foremost, the laws in Florida dictate the amount of time you have to pay. Generally, tickets or citations for traffic violations state the payment due date on the document itself. Some states may have different fines and payment due dates depending on the type of traffic violation. You may also need to factor in the time the method of payment may take. For instance, paying online may be available up until the due date but state law may require payments in person or mailing a check or money order be processed by a certain date.

What Happens to Your Ticket if You Plead not Guilty?

By paying your ticket, you are pleading guilty and admitting fault. If you wish to contest your ticket, it will contain a court date on it, where you will be able to appear before a judge and state your case. You can have an attorney represent you. The officer who wrote the ticket may show up in court and give testimony for why you deserve the ticket.

Do I Have To Appear in Court for a Traffic Violation?

For lesser violations, you typically do not have to appear in court. You may elect not to contest the violation and pay the fine, which is considered as admitting guilt for the violation. If you choose not to pay the fine, the court assumes that you will be present in court to challenge the violation. However, for more serious traffic violations or repeat violations, Florida may require you to appear in court and go before a judge.

What Are Some Examples of Situations Where I Might Need a Traffic Violations Lawyer?

Every ticket comes with a court date. You have the right to appear in court and contest your ticket instead of paying it, which is the same as pleading guilty. You might need a traffic violations lawyer if you’re facing serious charges like DUI, reckless driving, or multiple traffic tickets that could lead to license suspension. If you believe you were wrongly ticketed or if the penalties are severe, a lawyer can help. In some cases, for a seemingly “minor” traffic ticket, you can also speak with a lawyer about your options before paying any fines.

How Can a Lawyer Help Me With Traffic Violations?

A lawyer can help protect your rights. Experienced traffic lawyers can assist in negotiating reduced fines, keeping points off your license, or representing you in court to fight the charges. They know the Tampa and Florida courts, judges, and procedures. While it may be fine to speak on your own behalf in traffic court sometimes, in most cases, having a lawyer evaluate the evidence of the traffic stop will improve your chances of a better outcome.

What Happens When You Go To Court for a Traffic Violation?

Going to court for a traffic violation can be straightforward but may be a bit more complex for serious violations, those with a negative driving record, or criminal history. You may elect to go to plead your case to the judge by proving your innocence or showing evidence of any mitigating circumstances. For serious offenses or habitual offenders, you may decide to go into court with an attorney to advocate on your behalf.

What Happens if You Miss a Court Date for a Traffic Violation?

Missing a court date, referred to as failing to appear, can be a more serious offense than your original traffic violation. Some courts consider being late to your court date as a failure to appear as well. Each state provides its own additional penalties for failing to appear, but most jurisdictions consider this a separate criminal misdemeanor offense with its own penalties and fines. As a result, a judge may decide to suspend your license, hold you in contempt of court, or issue a warrant for your arrest which may lead to spending time in jail. Failing to appear or being found in contempt of court may stay on your criminal record as well. This makes it critical to appear on time to your court date or work with your attorney to request a new date to appear.

How Long Does a Traffic Violation Stay on Your Record In Florida?

The length a traffic violation stays on your record is generally determined by state. Florida has its own traffic laws and different requirements provided by the Department of Motor Vehicles or Department of Transportation. Some less serious offenses may only stay on your record for a limited period of time, such as two to five years. However more serious offenses or repeated traffic violations can lead to longer periods on your record or permanent marks on your record.

What Could Happen if I Don’t Hire a Traffic Violations Lawyer?

You might face harsher (and way more expensive) penalties if you don’t hire a traffic violations lawyer. Without legal help, you could struggle to contest the charges, leading to higher fines, more points on your license, or even suspension. This can result in increased insurance rates and possibly losing your driving privileges. You might also miss legal defenses that could reduce or dismiss the charges. A lawyer helps protect your rights, provides a strong defense, and aims to minimize the impact of traffic violations on your life.

What Questions Should I Ask When Trying To Find a Traffic Violations Lawyer in Tampa?

These questions can help you decide if you feel comfortable and confident that a lawyer has the qualifications, experience, and ability to manage your case well. Many lawyers offer free consultations that allow you to understand your options and get specific legal advice before hiring them. The top questions to ask include:

• How have you handled cases like mine?
• What are the potential outcomes of my case?
• What is the timeline for my case?
• What is your billing and fee structure?
• How long have you been practicing in Florida and Tampa?
• Do you have access to experts who can support my case?
• How do you approach evidence collection?
• What will my involvement be during the process?

Tips for Hiring a Traffic Lawyer

Finding a lawyer who is right for you and will represent your best interests is an essential first step in managing your defense and protecting your rights. Find a lawyer who understands your case, knows your needs and goals, and has the experience to get the best outcome. Things to do: 

• Ask for recommendations
• Research lawyers online
• Schedule consultations
• Review experience and expertise
• Talk about billing and fees
• Trust your instincts