FAQs: Traffic School Options

Click on the desired question(s) below:

 

Q. What are my options?

       You have 30 days to either: 1- pay your ticket; 2- elect driving school; or 3- plead not guilty by filing papers in the Clerk's office.

Q. What if I paid my ticket(s)?

      Remember, when you pay a ticket, you are convicting yourself of that infraction, and points will be assessed against your license and your auto insurance rates will increase. If you have other points on your license, those additional points may result in your license being suspended. Your auto insurance may also be cancelled.

Q. Any other disadvantages of paying the ticket(s)?

       The State of Florida keeps track of the number of points on your license. If these points exceed a certain number within a certain period of time, your license will be suspended.

Q. What is a DUI?

       Driving under the influence (DUI) (driving while intoxicated (DWI), drunken driving, drunk driving, operating under the influence, drinking and driving, impaired driving) is the act of driving a motor vehicle with blood levels of alcohol in excess of a legal limit. Similar regulations cover driving or operating certain types of machinery while affected by drinking alcohol or taking other drugs. This is a criminal offense in most states. Details of the traffic offense depend upon the jurisdiction, and may include merely being in physical control of a motor vehicle while being under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Q. What can a criminal lawyer do about my DUI/DWI charge?

       Penalties for a DUI/DWI in Florida can be quite severe, and can possibly lead to jail time for DUI's (316.193) or reckless driving (316.192) and a lifetime criminal record not able to be sealed. A qualified attorney can possibly negotiate a lesser charge, plea bargain, or obtain an alternative to jail time.

Q. Any limits on the driving school election?

       Under Florida law, during your lifetime you can make this election only five times. You cannot attend driving school within 12 months of your last attendance, when electing the driving school option, but certain County Traffic Clerks will allow you to take an 8 hour class if you've already done a 4 hour class within that year.

Q. Are there any other disadvantages of the driving school election?

       You must complete a 4-hour, 8-hour or 12-hour class and provide proof of completion within the time constraints imposed by the Clerk of Court in the county where you receive the citation. A registration fee is required by the traffic school. Also, by electing driving school, You may fail to take advantage of legal defenses that may result in the dismissal of your ticket, a finding of not guilty or withhold of adjudication, or a reduction of the fine or court costs.

Q. If I plead not guilty, can I fight the ticket(s) on my own, without the services of an attorney?

       Yes. However, you will be required to take time off from work or your other activities to appear in court, possibly on more than one occasion, and up to three hearings. Even if you have a lot of free time and you are interested in representing yourself, there many fine points of law and legal procedure with which you are probably unaware. Not knowing any one of these points can make the difference between having your ticket dismissed and being found guilty.

Q. What are some advantages of hiring a lawyer to fight my ticket(s)?

       For non-criminal traffic infractions (such as speeding, running a red light, etc.), you will not be required to appear in court. We will appear for you. We use the law and legal procedures to attempt to get all tickets dismissed. While we can't guarantee your ticket will be dismissed, we can greatly increase the odds in your favor.

Q. How much do you charge?

        It depends on how many tickets you have, & when the court hearing is set for. We take every case to trial. If the date has been changed we will go again with no extra charges.

Q. How can I get a free consultation?

        You can call our office at (877) - INFRACTION that's (877) 463-7228. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. An attorney will contact you as soon as possible. Consultations can be scheduled for evenings and weekends to accommodate your schedule.

Q. Do I have to travel to your office?

       If you decide to hire us, it can be handled on the phone. You can fax or mail us a copy of your ticket, citation, traffic violation, or infraction and provide us with your credit card information or send us a check. When you have paid our fee, we'll provide you with legal representation.