An individual faces serious punishment, including fines, license revocation, suspension, et cetera, if the State of Florida decides to label an individual as a habitual traffic offender. Of course, the state will not just apply that label to the individual involved, byt they will be due that designation based on the amount of specific traffic convictions they have on their driving record.
Because multiple traffic infractions and crimes add-up, it is important to retain a strong Ft. Lauderdale traffic lawyer.
Defining a Habitual Offender
A “habitual traffic offender” is any person whose record, as maintained by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV), shows that such person has accumulated the specified number of convictions for offenses described in subsection (1) or subsection (2) within a 5-year period:
- (1) Three or more convictions of any one or more of the following offenses arising out of separate acts:
- Voluntary or involuntary manslaughter resulting from the operation of a motor vehicle
- Any violation of s. 316.193 (Driving Under the Influence, DUI), former s. 316.1931, or former s. 860.01;
- Any felony in the commission of which a motor vehicle is used;
- Driving a motor vehicle while his or her license is suspended or revoked;
- Failing to stop and render aid as required under the laws of this state in the event of a motor vehicle crash resulting in the death or personal injury of another; or
- Driving a commercial motor vehicle while his or her privilege is disqualified.
- (2) Fifteen convictions for moving traffic offenses for which points may be assessed as set forth in s. 322.27, including those offenses listed above in subsection (1).
Violating any of these statutes can produce severe penalties as related to a Ft. Lauderdale habitual traffic offender. To begin building a defense against such consequences, it is imperative that an individual consult with a lawyer as soon as possible.
Severity of the Claim
Any violation of any federal law, any law of another state or country, or any valid ordinance of a municipality or county of another state similar to a statutory prohibition specified in subsection (1) or subsection (2) shall be counted as a violation of such prohibition. In other words, you do not have to commit the stipulated number of the above violations in the State of Florida in particular to be classified in the state as a habitual traffic offender in Ft. Lauderdale.
If an individual has committed those crimes, as specifically defined in the Florida State Statutes, or other crimes, as defined and regulated by other countries, states, municipalities, et cetera, which crimes are similar to the above-listed infractions, an individual can be labeled as a habitual traffic offender in the State of Florida.
Contact a Lawyer
A Ft. Lauderdale traffic lawyer can represent people fighting all types of traffic tickets. They help people fighting their first speeding ticket, their third stop sign violation, et cetera. Further, they can represent habitual traffic defenders, as defined in Section 322.264 of the Florida State Statutes.
If you have any questions about this issue, or are looking to avoid becoming a habitual traffic offender, it is important that you consult with an experienced lawyer as soon as possible.
