Traffic Offenses
When it comes to traffic offenses, people are more likely to think of minor traffic violations or DUI than major misdemeanor or felony traffic crimes. However, the operation of any motor vehicle involves a great amount of risk, as with any heavy object moving at high speeds. While this is mitigated by safety equipment, it is a combination of safety equipment and responsible driving that makes the difference.
Failure to fulfill duties of responsible driving and/or operating a vehicle in a reckless or negligent manner is a serious offense under Florida law and strongly looked down upon in the court system. If you have been charged with a crime that is a traffic offense in Hernando County or the surrounding areas, it is strongly advised you seek the counsel of an experienced Brooksville criminal attorney to defend your rights and fight for a reduction or dismissal of your charges.
Defense Lawyer for Traffic Offenses in Brooksville, FL
Criminal traffic offenses can involve severe sanctions like the revocation of your Florida driver’s license. If you have been arrested for a traffic offense in Hernando County, Sumter County, Citrus County, or the surrounding areas, including Spring Hill, Brooksville, Timber Pines, Homosassa Springs, Floral City, and Bushnell, and are considering the services of an experienced criminal defense lawyer, it is best to contact him as soon as possible after your traffic crime arrest.
The Law Office of Ashley Aulls, P.A. was founded on the principle of honest, open communication with each client, with equal respect to each client’s right to be educated both on the charges he or she faces and on the defense utilized. Ashley Aulls has a family background of successful legal professionals and has practiced law since 1996. He knows what it takes to treat the client with respect while fighting relentlessly against your traffic crime charges in the courtroom.
For your consultation on what The Law Office of Ashley Aulls, P.A. can do for your traffic crime offense in Hernando County, call (352) 593-4115 today.
Information Center for Hernando County Traffic Offenses
- Florida Traffic Offenses in the Hernando County Area
- Penalties for Florida Traffic Crimes
- Resources for Hernando County Traffic Offenses
Florida Traffic Offenses in the Hernando County Area
What constitutes a criminal traffic offense in Florida generally has to do with whether or not the driver had the right to drive and if there was an accident, as well as if any property damage, personal injury, or death was involved in the incident. The more serious the circumstances of the vehicular crime, the higher class offense you will be charged with. Some of the Florida traffic offenses seen in the Hernando County area include the following:
- Driving While License Suspended: Fla. Stat. § 322.34 – According to Florida law, any person who drives a motor vehicle on Florida roads while knowing his or her license is canceled, suspended, or revoked is charged with the misdemeanor driving while license suspended. Doing so without knowledge of the suspension, cancellation, or revocation is a moving violation.
- Leaving the Scene of an Accident: Fla. Stat. §§ 316.027, 316.061, 316.063 – In Florida, every driver is legally obligated to stop and provide his or her name, address, and vehicle registration number of the involved vehicle after an accident involving property damage, damage to another vehicle, or injury or death to another person. His or her driver’s license must also be provided if requested. Sufficient aid must also be rendered to injured persons if need is apparent or help is requested. Failure to perform all of these requirements is illegal and classified as an offense according to the circumstances of the accident.
- Fleeing and Eluding: Fla. Stat. § 316.1935 – The offense of fleeing and eluding in Florida is known as fleeing or attempting to elude a law enforcement officer. This offense makes it unlawful for the driver of any vehicle to willfully refuse or fail to stop the vehicle after being ordered to stop by an authorized law enforcement officer or to willfully flee or attempt to elude an officer after stopping in compliance with his or her order to stop. It is also an offense to flee or attempt to elude an officer in an authorized patrol vehicle with sirens and lights activated. Aggravating circumstances include high speed, reckless driving, serious bodily injury, leaving the scene, and death.
- Vehicular Manslaughter: Fla. Stat. § 782.071 – Known in Florida law as vehicular homicide, vehicular manslaughter is when a person operating a vehicle in a reckless manner that is likely to cause death, kills a human being or viable fetus by such reckless operation – whether or not the person knew the accident resulted in injury or death. It is an aggravating circumstance for vehicular manslaughter in Florida to also commit leaving the scene of the accident when the person knew or should have known that an accident occurred.
Many of these traffic crimes are felonies, which all have serious penalties under Florida law. An experienced traffic crime defense lawyer is recommended if you face a charge for one or more of the above offenses in the Brooksville area.
Penalties for Florida Traffic Crimes
Because several traffic offenses involve injury or death to another person, the penalties for these offenses often have statutory conditions or sanctions in addition to the standard Florida misdemeanor or felony punishment. It is important to note that many traffic crimes in Florida are felonies, which also adds on consequences like the loss of certain civil rights or the inability to pursue certain professions. Contact an experienced and knowledgeable criminal defense lawyer if you face any of the following penalties in Hernando County or the surrounding areas:
- Driving while your license is suspended with the knowledge that it is suspended or revoked is a second-degree misdemeanor punishable by up to 60 days of jail time and/or up to $500 in fines.
- Leaving the scene of the accident involving damage to an unattended vehicle or other kind of property is a second-degree misdemeanor that comes with maximum penalties of 60 days in jail and a $500 fine.
- Leaving the scene of an accident involving damage to attended property, such as a vehicle, is also a second-degree misdemeanor punishable by up to 60 days in jail and/or up to a $500 fine, with an extra $5 added to any fine imposed.
- Leaving the scene of an accident that causes injury to another person is a third-degree felony, punishable by up to five years in prison and/or up to a $5,000 fine.
- Leaving the scene of an accident that causes death to another person is a first-degree felony, punishable by up to 30 years or life in prison and/or up to a $10,000 fine. For circumstances with DUI, there is a two-year mandatory minimum prison sentence.
- Fleeing and eluding a law enforcement officer or police car without any aggravating circumstances is a third-degree felony with maximum penalties of five years in prison and a $5,000 fine. All fleeing and eluding offenses come with a 1-5 year driver’s license revocation and an ineligibility for withheld adjudication.
- Fleeing and eluding while speeding or otherwise driving recklessly is a second-degree felony, with maximum punishments of 15 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. All fleeing and eluding offenses come with a 1-5 year driver’s license revocation and an ineligibility for withheld adjudication.
- Fleeing and eluding while speeding or otherwise driving recklessly which results in serious bodily injury or death to another person is a first-degree felony. This felony is punishable by up to 30 years or life in prison with a three-year mandatory minimum sentence and/or up to $10,000 in fines. All fleeing and eluding offenses come with a 1-5 year driver’s license revocation and an ineligibility for withheld adjudication.
- Vehicular manslaughter is a second-degree felony punishable by a maximum of 15 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. All vehicular manslaughter cases have the explicit statutory right to pursue civil damages, and a sanction of 120 community service hours in a trauma center may also be required.
- Vehicular manslaughter when the offender committed leaving the scene of the accident is a first-degree felony, which comes with up to 30 years or life in prison and/or up to a $10,000 fine. All vehicular manslaughter cases have the explicit statutory right to pursue civil damages, and a sanction of 120 community service hours in a trauma center may also be required.
Resources for Hernando County Traffic Offenses
Chapter 316, Florida Statutes – Known as the State Uniform Traffic Control Act, this chapter in the Florida Statutes covers the operation of motor vehicles, the responsibility of the driver, and what constitutes a criminal traffic act. Visit this site to find the direct statutory language that relates to your offense.
FDOT – Florida Department of Transportation – The objective of this Florida government department is to develop and provide safe, reliable transportation systems throughout the state in an attempt to decrease the number of motor vehicle accidents. Visit this page to find out more about the transportation options available to you in your town.
FDHSMV – Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles – Follow this link to the driver’s license page on the FDHSMV where you can find information about the Florida point system and other important factors related to your Florida license. A dual service center is on Forest Oaks Boulevard in Spring Hill, but the Brooksville driver’s license branch can be found at:
11319 Ponce de LeonBrooksville, TX 34601
(352) 754-4230
The Law Office of Ashley Aulls, P.A. | Traffic Crime Defense Attorney in Hernando County
If you have been arrested for traffic charges in the Brooksville area, including Weeki Wachee, High Point, Hernando Beach, Hill ‘n Dale, Inverness Highlands, Sugarmill Woods, Lecanto, Wildwood, Lake Panasoffkee, Bushnell, or other places in Hernando County, Citrus County, or Sumter County, you are facing a tough fight against severe penalties. Contact experienced traffic crime defense lawyer Ashley Aulls to begin your fight today with a comprehensive, customized defense. To schedule your consultation with The Law Office of Ashley Aulls, P.A., call (352) 593-4115 now.