Traffic Lawyer in Orlando

Helping Florida Residents Minimize Penalties from Traffic Violations

PANELLA LAW FIRM ACCEPTS CASES THROUGHOUT FLORIDA

If you’ve been issued several traffic tickets in Central Florida over the years, you might worry about getting fined and losing your driving privileges. After all, the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles is authorized to suspend or even revoke your license for certain traffic offenses.

If you are facing driver’s license suspension or revocation or have already lost your license, there may still be hope to restore your driving privileges. Seeking legal assistance from an experienced Orlando traffic ticket attorney can help navigate the process, so contact our Central Florida law firm to discuss your case.

What Are Common Traffic Violations?

Drivers deal with hundreds of traffic rules and laws, and we defend our clients against them all. But from the observations of a traffic lawyer, Orlando drivers tend to violate some laws more often than others.

For example, speeding tickets are common in Florida. Depending on the circumstances, a ticket can require you to pay fines and lose points on your license. In some cases, a speeding ticket might have aggravating factors, such as going 30 miles or more over the speed limit or speeding in a school zone. These aggravating circumstances lead to harsher penalties and even charges of reckless driving, a serious offense.

Another common traffic offense many Orlando traffic ticket lawyers see is driving on a suspended or revoked license. Everyone who drives in Florida must have a valid license. Those who are caught driving without a license or with a suspended license face serious consequences.

If you have never had a license or you have a suspended or revoked license and are caught driving, you face:

• Conviction of a second-degree misdemeanor
• $500 in fines
• Up to 60 days in jail

You are unlikely to be sent to the county jail if you have no prior record of driving without a license. If you are caught driving with a suspended or revoked license, the penalties are the same as those for driving without a license.

Our criminal defense attorneys also defend clients against non-moving violations, including:

• Driving without insurance
• Illegal window tinting
• Unlawful use of a driver’s license
• Driving with expired tags

If you’re worried about what your traffic citation means for you, contact an experienced traffic offense lawyer who can work to get your charges reduced or case dismissed. Our Orlando, FL law firm has handled a wide range of traffic tickets and criminal cases, so we’re confident we’ll minimize your penalties.

What’s the Difference Between Careless Driving and Reckless Driving?

Some of the most serious violations Florida drivers get include reckless and careless driving. If you’re unsure of the difference, reckless driving is a general charge that covers driving behavior exhibiting a disregard for the safety of others.

Various types of driving behavior fit this description, including:

• Excessive speeding
• Racing
• Passing when passing is not allowed
• Improper passing of a stationary school bus in a loading zone
• Weaving in and out of traffic
• Road rage

This can be a felony or misdemeanor, depending on the circumstances. These are some potential consequences:

• First Offense, No Bodily Injury or Property Damage:You’ll be charged with a second-degree misdemeanor and get up to 90 days in jail, six months of probation, and a fine of up to $500.
• Repeat Offenses:These are punished by a maximum of six months in jail and a maximum fine of $1,000.
• Reckless Driving, Damage, or Injury:This first-degree misdemeanor can get you 12 months in jail or probation and $1,000 in fines.
• Serious Bodily Injury:If you cause serious bodily injury while driving recklessly, you can be charged with a third-degree felony and face up to five years in prison, five years of probation, and a fine of $5,000.

On the other hand, careless driving is by far one of the behaviors most cited by law enforcement officers in Florida. The language of the law is so broad that many officers consider it a catch-all charge, so all manner of driving behavior could fit in its definition. To be found guilty of careless driving, you must:

• Be driving a motor vehicle on a roadway in Florida
• Be driving in a manner that is not careful or prudent
• Endanger the life, health, or property of someone else

Tickets for careless driving can result in harsh consequences. You could be looking at fines between $160 and $500 and four points on your license. However, this is a traffic violation that mostly affects your driving record, not a criminal offense that results in jail like driving recklessly does. This makes careless driving a slightly less serious traffic violation. Either way, you’ll need an Orlando traffic ticket lawyer to defend your rights, so contact us to discuss your case.

What Are Common Questions Drivers Have After Getting a Traffic Ticket?

Among the best reasons to hire an Orlando traffic ticket lawyer is to get immediate answers to pressing questions. One of the most common ones is whether insurance premiums will increase after a traffic ticket. The answer is that it depends. While insurance premiums often rise after a moving violation, some drivers can avoid this by attending traffic school.

If you’re considering this option, you might wonder which traffic school to attend. The answer is a four-hour Basic Driver Improvement Course, as this is the standard course drivers are expected to complete for a chance to avoid or reduce penalties for a ticket.

Another question involves commercial driver’s licenses (CDL). More specifically, if you’re a CDL holder, you might wonder if extra steps are involved after a traffic violation. The answer is yes, since you must report the ticket to the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles within 30 days. If you do not, your CDL may be revoked or suspended.

If you have other questions about traffic violations or criminal charges, contact us for answers from a skilled traffic ticket lawyer. Whether you’re a habitual traffic offender or this is your first traffic ticket, you’re likely worried about your future. Rest assured we’ll do our best to help you keep your driver’s license, so contact us for a free consultation before simply paying your ticket.

How Can a Skilled Orlando Traffic Lawyer in Orlando Help You?

Instead of ignoring your traffic violations or choosing to accept the penalties immediately and simply pay the fines, you should confront and fight back against them. But don’t do it alone. Get legal guidance from a criminal defense law firm that has helped numerous drivers get fewer points on their license or even get their ticket dismissed.

Every Orlando traffic ticket attorney at Panella Law Firm understands that losing the privilege to drive is costly and embarrassing. That’s why we’re here to help. Whether you’re a habitual traffic offender or a new Florida resident getting your first ticket in Orlando, we’ll fight to get you the most optimal outcome for your case. Call 407-602-6559 for a free consultation today so you can learn how we’ll handle your traffic violation.