Key Largo Traffic Violations Attorney

Dedicated Traffic Violation Lawyers Protecting Driving Privileges in Key Largo, FL

People who are pulled over by police officers may be charged with multiple types of violations. While these cases will often involve minor speeding tickets or other traffic violations, some can result in serious criminal charges. Understanding how to address these violations, defend against convictions, and minimize the ways a person's driver's license and other parts of their life will be affected will often require legal help from an experienced lawyer.

At Keys Criminal Defense, PLLC, our attorneys can provide the representation clients need as they address traffic charges. We work to protect our clients' driving privileges and avoid serious penalties that could affect their driving record, their career opportunities, their insurance rates, and other aspects of their lives.

Reasons People May Face Traffic Charges in Key Largo

Minor traffic violations make up the majority of citations issued by police officers after traffic stops. These may include speeding, running a red light or stop sign, improper lane changes, tailgating, making illegal turns, or other violations of traffic laws. While traffic tickets are usually treated as civil infractions rather than criminal offenses, they still carry fines, and a conviction will add points to a person's driving record.

More serious traffic charges involve conduct that is treated as a criminal offense rather than a civil infraction. Reckless driving charges may apply in situations where people are accused of driving dangerously and purposely acting in ways that they knew could put others at risk of harm. Other serious traffic crimes may include fleeing from police, driving with a suspended or revoked license, or leaving the scene of an accident without stopping to exchange information with others who were involved or provide assistance.

In some cases, people may also face violations related to a vehicle's registration. A person who is accused of operating an unregistered motor vehicle or driving a vehicle with an expired registration may face a civil violation, but in some cases, these violations may involve criminal charges.

Driver's License Suspensions Under Florida's Point System

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles tracks traffic violations that have been issued, and when a person is convicted, a certain number of points will be added to their record. Different types of violations have different point values, and when a person accumulates enough points within a specific period of time, they may face penalties that can affect their driver's license.

The point values for some of the most common traffic violations include:

• Speeding: Most speed limit violations will result in three points being added to a person's record, but speeding by more than 15 miles per hour may result in four points being added.
• Reckless Driving: A person convicted of this offense will have four points added to their record. If a person is charged with careless driving rather than reckless driving, they will have three points added.
• Running a Red Light or Stop Sign: Depending on the type of violation, a person could have three or four points added to their record.
• Failing to Yield: A person who does not yield the right of way to another vehicle or pedestrian as required may have three points added to their license.
• Leaving the Scene of an Accident: If a collision involved property damage worth more than $50, or if a person struck an unattended vehicle, leaving without exchanging information with the other driver can lead to six points being added to the person's record.

After a person accrues a certain number of points on their record, their driver's license will be suspended. Accumulating 12 points within a period of 12 months will result in a suspension lasting for 30 days. If a person receives 18 points within a period of 18 months, their license will be suspended for three months. Accumulating 24 points within 36 months will result in a one-year license suspension. Points from multiple violations can add up quickly, so a few relatively minor citations can place a person at risk of losing their license.

Penalties for Commercial Drivers Who Are Charged With Traffic Violations

People who drive commercial vehicles, including large trucks or buses, are held to stricter standards than other drivers. A traffic violation that may be minor for most people can carry harsher consequences for someone who holds a commercial driver's license (CDL). Certain types of violations are classified as serious traffic violations, including speeding by at least 15 miles per hour, reckless driving, improper lane changes, tailgating, or texting or using a handheld phone while driving.

When a commercial driver is convicted of three serious traffic violations over three years, their CDL will be disqualified for 120 days. If a person is convicted of DUI, leaving the scene of an accident, causing someone's death because of negligent driving, or using a vehicle to commit a felony offense, their CDL will be disqualified for one year for a first offense and permanently for a second offense.

Because a CDL disqualification can threaten a person's ability to continue working as a commercial driver and earning a living, defending against traffic violations can be crucial. Our lawyers work to ensure that commercial drivers will be able to resolve these cases successfully while avoiding issues that could threaten their licenses.

Contact Our Key Largo, FL Traffic Violations Attorneys

Even though traffic tickets will often seem like minor offenses, they can affect people in many ways. Multiple violations can put a person at risk of a license suspension, and in addition to paying fines, the amount they will need to pay to maintain insurance coverage may increase significantly. Some charges are serious enough to put a person at risk of criminal prosecution, and they may face jail time if they are convicted.

At Keys Criminal Defense, PLLC, we can help clients determine their best options for defending against minor traffic infractions or criminal traffic charges. We will review the circumstances of an alleged violation and take steps to show that a person did not commit an offense, or we may work to resolve a case while minimizing the impact on a person's license and record. To arrange a free consultation and learn how we can help with these cases, contact our Key Largo, Florida traffic violation defense lawyers at 305-324-7888.