Traffic
Offenses Defense
in West
Palm Beach
A traffic citation in Florida is easy to overlook. Pay the fine, move on. But that decision has consequences most people do not think about until they see their insurance rate go up, get notified their license is suspended, or find out they have accumulated enough points to lose their driving privilege entirely.
Whether you are dealing with a routine speeding ticket or a serious criminal traffic charge, Jeacoma Law can help. Call today for a confidential consultation.
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Florida draws a distinction between civil traffic infractions and criminal traffic offenses, and that distinction matters.
Under Chapter 318, Fla. Stat., most routine traffic violations are classified as noncriminal infractions. These include speeding, running a red light or stop sign, improper lane changes, texting while driving, equipment violations, and similar offenses. They do not carry jail time, but they do carry fines, points on your license, and potential license suspension.
Criminal traffic offenses are a different matter entirely. Reckless driving, driving with a suspended or revoked license, leaving the scene of an accident, and driving under the influence are all criminal charges that can result in jail time, probation, and a permanent criminal record.
The Point System and What It Costs You
Florida uses a point system administered by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Points are assigned based on the type of violation, and they accumulate on your driving record. The consequences escalate quickly.
Twelve points within twelve months results in a 30-day license suspension. Eighteen points within eighteen months results in a three-month suspension. Twenty-four points within thirty-six months results in a one-year suspension.
Beyond suspensions, points drive up your insurance premiums. Even a single speeding ticket can trigger a rate increase that costs you far more over time than the fine itself.
Common Traffic Offenses
Speeding is the most frequently issued citation in Palm Beach County. The fine amount depends on how far over the limit you were traveling, and fines in school zones and construction zones are doubled. Certain speeds trigger mandatory hearings and additional consequences.
Reckless driving under § 316.192, Fla. Stat., is a criminal offense, not a civil infraction. A first conviction carries up to 90 days in jail and a $500 fine. A second conviction carries up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine. If reckless driving causes property damage or injury, the charge becomes a first-degree misdemeanor.
Careless driving is a lesser charge but still carries points and fines.
Driving with a suspended or revoked license under § 322.34, Fla. Stat., can be a civil infraction for a first offense, but escalates to a misdemeanor or felony with prior knowledge or repeat offenses.
Red light camera violations and school bus camera violations are civil infractions, but failure to pay or respond can result in additional fines and a suspended registration.
Leaving the scene of an accident is a serious criminal offense. If the accident involved only property damage, it is a second-degree misdemeanor. If it involved injury, it is a third-degree felony. If it involved death, it is a first-degree felony.
Texting while driving is a primary offense in Florida, meaning law enforcement can stop you for it without any other violation occurring.
Why Contesting a Ticket Matters
Paying a citation is an admission of the infraction. It goes on your record, adds points, and can be used against you. Contesting a ticket, even a minor one, preserves your options. An attorney can request a hearing, challenge the basis for the stop, question the calibration and accuracy of speed measurement equipment, and in many cases negotiate a reduction that keeps points off your record entirely.
For criminal traffic charges, the stakes are higher. A conviction for reckless driving, driving on a suspended license, or leaving the scene carries real criminal consequences that go beyond fines and points.
CDL Holders and Professional Drivers
If you hold a commercial driver’s license, a traffic conviction carries consequences beyond what applies to a standard license. Florida and federal regulations impose stricter standards for CDL holders, and certain violations can result in disqualification from operating a commercial vehicle. If your livelihood depends on your CDL, a traffic ticket is not something to pay and forget.
Talk to a Traffic Defense Attorney
Most people assume traffic tickets are not worth fighting. That assumption is often wrong. The long-term cost of points, insurance increases, and potential license issues frequently outweighs the short-term inconvenience of contesting the citation.
Call Jeacoma Law today for a confidential consultation. Serving clients throughout South Florida, including Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, Broward, and Miami-Dade counties.
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