Jacksonville Speeding Ticket Defense Attorney

People in Florida face actions from insurance rate increases to license suspension or revocation when they get caught driving too fast. Auto insurance companies periodically review customers’ driving records for any moving violations and can decide to raise the annual premium. But that’s just the start.

If you receive a speeding ticket in Florida, be prepared for the fines to include more than just the face value. Court costs and fees commonly double the amount due, so a $70 speeding ticket winds up requiring a $150 payment.

Get experienced legal help for your situation. Contact our speeding defense lawyer in Jacksonville by calling (904) 615-8950 or by email.

Why Speeding Tickets Matter?

In the communities of Florida, the amount of traffic can challenge our patience and create delays getting from point A to point B. Speeding is a ticketable moving violation that can significantly increase your cost of driving.

While it might seem like a simple infraction, a speeding ticket can have far-reaching consequences. The most immediate effect of a speeding ticket is the fine you are required to pay. However, fines are not the only concern. Below are some of the key reasons why speeding tickets matter:

• Points on Your Driving Record: In Florida, speeding tickets come with points that are added to your driving record. Accumulating too many points can lead to the suspension of your driver’s license.
• Increased Insurance Rates: Insurance companies often raise rates for drivers who have a history of traffic violations, including speeding. Over time, this can add up to significant costs.
• Criminal Penalties for Speeding: While most speeding tickets are considered civil infractions, certain speeding violations can result in criminal penalties. If you are caught speeding at a particularly high rate (such as more than 30 miles per hour over the speed limit), you may be charged with reckless driving, which is a criminal offense in Florida.

What are the Consequences of a Speeding Ticket?

Driver’s license suspension

Three charges of speeding may suspend your driving privileges starting at 30 days for the third offense, if those charges occur within a 12-month period in a work/school/construction zone.

Four charges lead to the suspension of driving privileges for at least 1 month and up to 1 year within a work/school/construction zone in a 2-year period (the zones are so common, this may not be as restrictive as it may appear.)

If the speeding involves racing (defined as traveling above or at the speed limit and is a pre-arranged competition) a driver’s license will be lost.

Fines

One of the immediate consequences of a speeding ticket is the fine. In Florida, the fine for a speeding violation depends on how far over the speed limit you were traveling. The base fine increases with the number of miles per hour (MPH) over the limit. For example:

• 1 to 5 mph over the limit: Typically a lower fine
• 6 to 15 mph over the limit: A standard fine
• 16 to 29 mph over the limit: A higher fine
• 30 mph or more over the limit: A significantly higher fine, and you may face additional penalties or criminal charges, especially if driving recklessly

Paying the fine is often the quickest way to resolve the ticket, but doing so also means accepting the consequences, including points on your driving record, which may lead to increased insurance costs and other long-term effects.

Points on Your Driving Record

In Florida, speeding violations result in points being added to your driving record. The number of points depends on how much over the speed limit you were driving:

• 1 to 5 mph over the limit: 3 points
• 6 to 15 mph over the limit: 3 points
• 16 to 29 mph over the limit: 4 points
• 30 to 49 mph over the limit: 4 points
• 50+ mph over the limit: 6 points (This can lead to a more serious penalty such as reckless driving charges.)

Accumulating points on your driving record can have significant consequences. If you accumulate 12 or more points on your driving record within a 12-month period, you risk having your driver's license suspended. This suspension can be for 30 days for 12 points, 60 days for 18 points, and 90 days for 24 points, or even longer in certain circumstances.

A Jacksonville speeding ticket lawyer can help you challenge the ticket or seek a plea deal that may reduce the points added to your record, potentially preventing a license suspension.

Increased Insurance Premiums

Insurance companies generally consider traffic violations, including speeding tickets, when determining your car insurance rates. The more violations you have on your record, the higher your premiums will likely be.

Knowing which company uses the same system as a competitor to verify the accuracy of the premium rate, and how to file the right form, have helped some make the right decision to lower the cost of insuring the vehicle. But the right decision comes from accurate figures instead of estimates, and one provides the better benefit for the speeder.

Traffic School

In certain cases, Florida allows drivers to attend traffic school to remove points from their driving record. If eligible, attending traffic school can help you avoid the negative consequences of a speeding ticket, such as higher insurance rates or license suspension. However, you must request to attend traffic school within the required timeframe and only if you have not attended traffic school for another violation in the last 12 months.

It is important to note that attending traffic school does not erase the fine associated with the speeding ticket, but it can prevent points from being added to your record. This can help you avoid increased insurance rates and the risk of a license suspension. A Jacksonville speeding ticket lawyer can help you determine whether traffic school is a viable option for your case and assist in ensuring that you comply with the necessary requirements.

How to Handle a Speeding Ticket?

If you receive a speeding ticket in Florida, you have 30 days to take appropriate legal action or respond to the court. You can opt to:

• Pay the fine and accept the associated consequences (points on your record, potential insurance increases)
• Contest the ticket and go to court to dispute the charge, potentially resulting in reduced penalties
• Attend traffic school (if eligible) to remove points from your record
• Seek legal counsel to help navigate the legal process, minimize penalties, and protect your driving record

It is critical that you avoid paying the fine without first consulting a Jacksonville speeding ticket lawyer. We can help you make the right decision for your situation and ensure the best possible outcome.

Why Choose a Former Prosecutor and Public Defense Attorney for Help?

An experienced Jacksonville criminal defense lawyer such as Ms. Mesic who was formerly a prosecutor and held the role of public defender in a Northeast Florida state court can help navigate the system, with a focus on the best-accomplishing outcomes while minimizing the consequences.

If you receive a speeding ticket in Florida, it’s important to evaluate your options carefully. We can help you understand the implications of the ticket and guide you through the process of resolving the issue in the most favorable way possible.

Call (904) 615-8950 or reach out online to schedule a consultation today.