Criminal charges for traffic-related violations in Florida can arise from underlying traffic citations or from crimes associated with driving. If you have been charged with numerous traffic offenses, or if you have committed a serious traffic crime, you can receive harsh punishments, including jail or prison time, fines, and/or driver’s license suspension or permanent revocation.
Common Traffic Violations in Florida
Reckless Driving under Florida Statutes § 316.192 is defined as a person who drives without regard or care for the safety of other drivers. Fleeing and eluding a police officer is considered per se reckless driving, which means if you flee from an officer while driving, it is automatically reckless driving..
Driving With a Suspended License is defined in Florida Statutes § 322.34 as anyone who drives on Florida’s roads with a license that has been suspended or revoked. These drivers can be found guilty of a moving violation, misdemeanor or felony depending on the reasons their license was suspended, the number of prior offenses, and the alleged offender’s knowledge of their suspended license.
Fleeing and Eluding is defined in Florida Statutes § 316.1935 as failing to stop when ordered to stop by a law enforcement officer, and the person failing to stop has knowledge that they have been ordered to stop. It can also be defined as attempting to flee or fleeing from an officer. Someone who commits this offense can be found guilty of a felony of the third degree..
Leaving the Scene / Hit and Run – Florida Statutes § 316.027 – Any person who is involved in a car accident that causes injury to another person must stop their vehicle and remain at the scene until they are permitted to leave. Anyone who does not do this, intentionally, commits a felony of the third degree. If someone causes death to another person from an automobile accident, and intentionally leaves the scene, they can be convicted of a felony of the first degree.
Additionally, under Florida statutes § 316.061, if someone is involved in a car accident, and causes property damage or damage to another vehicle, and intentionally leaves the scene, they can be found guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree.
Leaving the Scene / Hit and Run – Florida Statutes § 316.027 – Any person who is involved in a car accident that causes injury to another person must stop their vehicle and remain at the scene until they are permitted to leave. Anyone who does not do this, intentionally, commits a felony of the third degree. If someone causes death to another person from an automobile accident, and intentionally leaves the scene, they can be convicted of a felony of the first degree.
A Habitual Traffic Offender can be someone who is convicted three or more times within a five year period of vehicular manslaughter, any felony using a motor vehicle, driving a motor vehicle with a suspended or revoked license, failing to stop and render aid at an accident resulting in death or bodily injury of another, any DUI violation, or driving a commercial motor vehicle with suspended privileges. Florida’s laws provide for a permanent revocation, or a suspension for up to five years, for a person’s driver’s license that is considered a Habitual Traffic Offender. Under Florida Statutes § 322.264, a Habitual Traffic Offender is someone who has numerous criminal convictions for traffic offenses within a five year period.
The attorneys at Hale, Hale & Jacobson can help you learn more about your traffic charge and assist you in finding the best possible outcome for your situation in the Orlando, Florida area. If you do not hire an experienced criminal defense attorney, you may face severe consequences. Contact the Hale, Hale & Jacobson for experienced representation.n.