Bradenton Traffic Defense Attorney

DWLs Without Knowledge

DWLS without knowledge is a civil infraction and is frequently confused with the more serious criminal charge of DWLS with knowledge. Although this charge is less serious in the sense that it is not criminal in nature, if not handled properly, DWLS without knowledge could lead to serious consequences for your driver’s license, as simply paying the ticket that is issued will trigger a conviction for the offense, which is designated as a major traffic infraction. Three major traffic infractions within a five-year period of time will designate the driver as a Habitual Traffic Offender. It may be possible to avoid that conviction by contacting an attorney who is experienced in handling those types of matters. Call the Bradenton criminal defense attorneys at Fowler Law Group to discuss how to handle these charges.

Habitual Traffic Offender

Certain driving charges are considered “major traffic infractions” in the State of Florida. If someone is convicted of three major traffic infractions within a five-year period of time, they will become designated as a Habitual Traffic Offender (HTO), and their license will be suspended for a period of five years. Persons caught driving on an HTO suspension will find themselves before a judge with prosecutors asking for substantial jail time, usually starting out around 30 days.  If you have been designated as a Habitual Traffic Offender, contact the Bradenton criminal defense attorneys at Fowler Law Group as soon as possible; there may be a chance to reinstate your license.

Reckless Driving

The State of Florida defines “Reckless driving” as driving a vehicle with a willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property. Should reckless driving result in damage to the property or person of another, the crime is a first-degree misdemeanor, punishable by 11 months and 29 days in the county jail. Should serious bodily injury occur, the crime is enhanced to a third-degree felony punishable by up to 5 years in State prison. It is important to contact an attorney should you find yourself charged with such an offense so that valuable evidence can be gathered and preserved. As Bradenton criminal defense attorneys, the attorneys at Fowler Law Group can help you build a defense to these charges.

Fleeing To Elude

Fleeing to Elude is considered a “major traffic infraction” in the State of Florida, and carries upon conviction a mandatory felony adjudication of guilt and license suspension. If the driver of a vehicle knows that they are being commanded to stop the vehicle, willfully refuses to stop the vehicle, or, after having stopped, flees in an attempt to elude an officer, they may be charged with this offense. Simple fleeing to elude is a third-degree felony, punishable by up to 5 years in prison. When the person fleeing drives at a high speed or demonstrates a wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property, the charge is enhanced to a second-degree felony, punishable by 15 years in prison. If the speed or disregard for safety results in serious bodily injury/death of another person, the charge is a first-degree felony, punishable by up to 30 years. Contact the Bradenton criminal defense attorneys at Fowler Law Group today to discuss how to best handle this serious charge.

Defenses Against Traffic Violation Charges

Common defenses may include:

• Challenging the Officer's Observations: Traffic violation charges often rely on the subjective judgment of the law enforcement officer who issued the citation. For instance, in speeding or reckless driving cases, the officer may have made a mistake in estimating your speed or judging your driving behavior. By thoroughly investigating the circumstances of your case, it may be possible to prove that the officer's observations were inaccurate or unreliable.
• Disputing Radar and Speed-Detection Equipment: If your traffic violation involved speeding, the accuracy of the speed detection device used to clock your speed could be questioned. Radar guns and other speed-measuring tools must be properly calibrated and maintained to give accurate readings. We can request records of the equipment's maintenance and calibration to determine if errors occurred, providing a potential defense to have your charges dismissed or reduced.
• Arguing Necessity or Emergency: Sometimes, drivers violate traffic laws out of necessity or due to an emergency. For example, if you were speeding to avoid immediate danger or to get someone to the hospital, we can present this as a valid defense. Although this defense does not apply in all situations, it can be highly effective in specific scenarios where your actions were unavoidable and aimed at preventing harm.
• Proving Mistaken Identity: In some cases, a traffic violation may have been committed by another driver, and you were mistakenly identified. This often happens with red light cameras or speed traps, where the vehicle is recorded but the driver is not clearly identified. If we can show that you were not the driver or that the vehicle involved was misidentified, your case may be dismissed entirely.
• Improper Traffic Stop: Law enforcement officers must have a legitimate reason to pull you over to issue a traffic violation. If we can demonstrate that the officer did not have reasonable suspicion or probable cause to initiate the traffic stop, any evidence collected afterward may be suppressed, leading to a dismissal of the charges. This defense is especially useful in cases involving more serious charges, such as DUI or reckless driving.
• Questioning Traffic Signs or Signals: In some instances, traffic violations occur due to unclear or obscured traffic signs or signals. If a stop sign or speed limit sign was not visible, damaged, or poorly positioned, we can argue that you did not notice the traffic law adequately. This can result in the reduction or dismissal of the charges against you.

Contact Our Traffic Defense Lawyer in Bradenton Today

Whether you're facing a simple speeding ticket or a more serious traffic violation, Fowler Law Group is here to help you protect your driving record and minimize the consequences. Traffic violations can have long-lasting impacts on your life, from higher insurance rates to possible license suspension, but you don't have to face these challenges alone.

Our Bradenton traffic defense attorney will thoroughly review your case, explore all potential defenses, and work to achieve the best possible outcome on your behalf. Call us today to schedule a consultation and find out how we can help you fight your traffic violation charges.

Contact Fowler Law Group today to get started with our Bradenton traffic defense attorney.