In Florida, criminal traffic violations are those tickets that can result in you being sent to jail or prison if you’re convicted. These are more than simple speeding tickets or moving violations. You may experience long-term negative consequences if you’re charged with a criminal traffic violation in Florida and are found or plead guilty.
When you’re charged with a criminal traffic violation, you do not have the option to simply pay a citation and move on. You must appear in court to answer the charge or a warrant may be issued for your arrest. If you’re convicted, you acquire a permanent criminal record, not just points on your driver’s license.
Florida Criminal Traffic Charges
It can be confusing to understand when a traffic offense is a crime and exactly what you face when you’re accused of a criminal traffic violation. These types of charges often may be based on a police officer’s perceptions — which can be mistaken. You may not have done anything wrong, in which case an experienced Sarasota traffic lawyer can advocate for you in court and fight to get your charge dismissed or for you to be found not guilty.
If you’ve been charged with a criminal traffic offense, there are some important things you should know about your charge and how it may affect you. However, because every case is based on a unique set of facts and circumstances, you should call an experienced Sarasota criminal attorney, P.A. at (941) 363-7900 with questions about your specific case.
Some of the types of criminal traffic cases handled by Erika Valcarcel, Criminal Defense Lawyer, P.A. include:
Hit and Run
When you’re involved in a motor vehicle accident that results in property damage, a serious injury or a fatality you’re required to stop at the scene and provide your information to the other parties involved in the accident and to report the crash. If you leave the scene without doing that, you can be charged with a misdemeanor or even a felony hit and fun offense in Florida.
Reckless Driving
When you drive in a way that willfully or wantonly endangers other people, you may be charged with reckless driving in Florida. Reckless driving can be a misdemeanor, but can also be a felony under some circumstances.
Fleeing and Eluding
If you are a driving and fail to stop or remain stopped upon the order of an authorized law enforcement officer, you’ll face the very serious charge of fleeing and eluding, which carries felony penalties that may include prison and a mandatory driver’s license revocation.
Vehicular Manslaughter and Homicide
When you cause serious injury or death while driving in a way that is negligent, you can be charged with vehicular manslaughter, a serious felony offense in Florida.
DUI Manslaughter
A traffic accident that results in a fatality is a tragic event for all of those involved, but if the person driving was under the influence at the time of the incident, he or she may be charged with DUI Manslaughter. This is a felony offense in Florida and is punishable by a mandatory minimum prison term of 4 years.
Driving Under Suspension
If you’re caught driving while your license is suspended, you can be charged with a criminal misdemeanor. Under some circumstances, driving with a suspended license can be a felony offense.
License Reinstatement
Traffic violations and other offenses can cause your license to be suspended or revoked for a period of time. To avoid this, contact a Sarasota traffic lawyer for help getting your license reinstated.
Driving Without a Valid License
You can be charged with a misdemeanor in Florida when you drive without a valid driver’s license. You may have to serve jail time if convicted.
