You’re cruising along on the highway, and suddenly you hear the ‘whoop-whoop’ of the police siren, see flashing lights in your rearview mirror. Uh-oh! You’re being asked to pull over. You were probably going a few miles over the speed limit, without realizing it.

The officer writes you a ticket for speeding. Now, what?

Most people are not aware of the facts when it comes to speeding tickets. Social media rumors, second-hand stories, and false online information can lead you to make the wrong conclusions. It is important for every driver to be familiar with speeding ticket rules and the myths that surround them so they can effectively fight a ticket, should they receive one.

On the contrary, there have been many cases fought and won in court pertaining to speeding tickets.

Preparation is key if you plan to fight a speeding ticket in court. You should prepare as early as the moment that you were pulled over – note the device used to clock your speed, the officer’s comfortability with using the device, and the device’s functionality. These can all be grounds for dismissal of your ticket.

One reason for this misconception’s popularity is the fact that a driver representing themselves will be at a disadvantage when going up against a professional prosecuting attorney. Even though representing yourself may seem more cost-effective, hiring an experienced speeding ticket lawyer will drastically increase your chances of getting the ticket dismissed, meaning you will avoid both paying the hefty penalty and seeing your insurance rates increase.

This is not true.

It is within your rights as a citizen to fight the ticket and claim innocence. In this situation, you are not required to pay the ticket unless your efforts to fight the violation are unsuccessful.

However, you are required to respond to the ticket and convey your intention to fight the violation in court.

Before communicating your intentions with the court system, consult an experienced speeding ticket lawyer to ensure you are abiding by the laws. This lawyer can also help you fight the traffic ticket in court.

This is false most of the time, however, it may be true in some cases.

Each state has its own laws requiring different levels of involvement from the ticketing officer. Some states may not require the officer to show up at all, while others do.

Even if the officer is required to appear, the magistrate may decide to re-schedule or go ahead with the hearing in their absence. It is only on very rare occasions that the ticket gets dismissed automatically.

In summary, don’t opt to fight the ticket simply because you don’t think the officer will show up to court.

This misconception is false in most cases.

In the case of a typographical error, such as a spelling error or slight error in physical description, the ticket will remain valid.

However, if the ticketing officer made a larger mistake, such as failing to sign the ticket themselves, citing the wrong law, or filing the violation in the wrong county, you may have grounds to fight the ticket in court.

If you think your ticket may have a considerable error, consult a speeding ticket lawyer to assess whether you have grounds for a case.

Contrary to what you may have seen online, refusing to sign the traffic ticket does not mean you don’t have to pay it. Your signature on any ticket, speeding or otherwise, is simply a confirmation that you received it.

All tickets that are written are entered into the DMV database and listed on your record, signed or not.

Absolutely not. Even if every other driver was doing 80 in a 55 mph zone, and you were doing 70 and were the only one ticketed, the violation still stands. Keep an eye on the speedometer to make sure that you don’t go over the limit regardless of what others are doing. Even if you are overtaking or passing a slower driver, you must remain within the speed limit while doing so. If a ticket has already been written, it is highly unlikely that this argument will lead to a dismissal.

You’re fooling yourself if you believe that.

Each police department is in charge of setting their own guidelines, restrictions, and quotas (if applicable). Because the departments are not streamlined, there is no across-the-board answer that applies to all jurisdictions.

The truth is, most departments don’t have quotas. Officers are expected to remain productive while working their shift, as with any job. An easy benchmark for supervisors to use when measuring productivity is the number of tickets written and the number of traffic stops performed. A supervisor seeing an officer has written five tickets in one shift while another has written one may see the first officer as more productive. However, there is typically no set number of tickets that officers are required to write.

It is important to note that if you have been cited multiple times, you might have a suspended license in Florida in addition to other harsh penalties.

Have you been ticketed for speeding? The best defense you can use in court is an attorney that specializes in traffic-related cases. Our experienced traffic attorneys are well-versed with courtroom tactics and will help you get your ticket dismissed or charges reduced. Call us today at 1-800-248-2846.

Red light ticket Florida is disproportionately high and nothing is more distressing than receiving a red light ticket fine in your mail. But, you can have your fine reduced by adhering to the below mentioned tips.

You should ascertain beforehand if the road intersection has a red light camera installed. This can be easily known by spotting ‘Photo Enforced’ sign which is usually posted within a few miles from the approaching intersection. You can accordingly adjust your driving to escape being implicated by red light cameras in Florida.

The sensor which gets triggered to activate the red light camera is installed near this line. It is essential that you should know where to pull in your vehicle when the red light gets turned on to avoid receiving the ticket. Camera flashing would not occur if the rear tires of your vehicle have passed the line before the traffic light turns red. If your vehicle comes to a halt over the line the moment the red light gets turned on, the camera may flash but the trigger would not be completely activated. In this case, you would not be held liable for receiving a Red light camera ticket.

If your vehicle has not crossed the line and the traffic signal turns red, you should pay heed to it and stop immediately. Else, you run the risk of triggering the sensor which would cause the camera to flash twice. You would automatically become entitled for a hefty red light violation fine.

Florida law states that right turns are permissible when the red light is on but they should be done carefully and prudently. Some intersections do not permit right hand turns. If you are planning to take a right turn, you should be aware of the status of the same for the particular intersection else you would be held guilty by Miami red light cameras.

You can know this by spotting ‘No Turn on Red’ signpost or by reading the ‘Photo enforced’ sign to see if it carries ‘includes right turns’ words.

If you have been handed over a red light ticket, you need not worry or pay the fine upfront. You need to consult a seasoned traffic attorney who will represent the case on your behalf and get the ticket dismissed in the court. But make sure that you are backed by the most experienced and exceptionally efficient people. Otherwise, things may not go in your favour.

Our experienced traffic attorneys are well-versed with courtroom tactics and will help you get your ticket dismissed or charges reduced. Call us today at 1800-248-2846

It’s not a charge that’s taken lightly. Speeding in a school zone can have deadly consequences for children who, by their very nature, are very vulnerable and in need of special care and protection. As such, penalties for unsafe speed in a school zone are enhanced. Fines, points on your driving record, and increased insurance rates can be costly. Depending on the seriousness of the offense, a mandatory hearing and driver license suspension could be added to your list of problems if you are caught exceeding the speed limit in a school zone.

What is the posted speed in a school zone and what methods are used to alert drivers that they are entering a reduced speed area? Generally, the posted speed in a school zone is 20 mph. The school zone must display signs clearly indicating the boundaries of the zone and hours of restricted/reduced speed, or, there must be a properly placed flashing beacon that is activated during school zone hours.

• $50 for 1-9 miles per hour over the speed limit
• $200 for 10-14 miles per hour over the speed limit
• $300 for 15-19 miles per hour over the speed limit
• $350 for 20-29 miles per hour over the speed limit
• $500 for 30-39 miles per hour over the speed limit
• $2000 for 50 miles per hour, or more, over the speed limit

Speeding up to 15 miles per hour over the speed limit could automatically result in 3 points being added to your driving record. Four points could be added if your ticket is for speeding at 16 or more miles per hour over the limit. If you are involved in an accident while speeding in a school zone, you could have 6 points added to your record and could face a required hearing and license suspension.

A traffic ticket lawyer will carefully examine your citation to determine if there are any discrepancies that could lead to a reduction of penalties or dismissal of charges. A lawyer experienced in the Traffic Court System will look for details that can work in your favor. For example, does the time noted on the ticket fall within the posted hours of reduced speed in the school zone? Was the speed measurement device that was used reliable? Were you properly cited within the posted area of reduced speed?

Also read Violation Points and Other Penalties for Traffic Tickets in Florida

If you have questions about a ticket received for speeding in a school zone, call The Ticket Clinic for a free consultation at 1-800-CITATION (1-800-248-2846) or hire us online. Our experienced traffic lawyers have resolved over 3,000,000 traffic offenses nationwide since 1987.

Unsafe driving in work zones is taken very seriously in the state of Florida. The Florida Department of Transportation reported that in 2016 Florida had one of the highest rates of construction zone fatalities in the entire country. There were workers present in more than a third of the incidents and almost half of the accidents involved serious injuries. Because this kind of crash can be so costly in personal injuries and fatalities, double fines are imposed on offenders caught violating the law in work zones when construction personnel are present.

Construction zones present especially complicated challenges for drivers and law enforcement. Impatient drivers can be in a hurry to navigate around temporary barriers, workers, vehicles and oversize pieces of equipment. Add to the frustration that while busy highways have to remain open to traffic, construction can last for months, or, in some cases, a year or more, with the likelihood of crashes increasing over time.

• Failure to obey reduced speed limit signs
• Last minute merging, without proper signalling, when lanes run out
• Being distracted by activities such as talking on a cell phone, conversing with passengers or texting
• Following other vehicles too closely
• Not slowing down and exercising caution when passing an emergency or work vehicle stopped on the side of the road

Fines range from $50 to $500 for speeding in a work zone. Points could also be added to your driving record. Prior offenses and the severity of the situation, such as whether or not DUI , injuries or fatalities are involved, can determine if you could face higher fines, jail time or other penalties. A mandatory hearing, license suspension and completion of a driver improvement course are other possibilities, depending on the charges.

If you’ve received a citation for a construction zone violation, an experienced traffic ticket lawyer could help you reduce the charges or possibly get your case dismissed entirely. Seeking legal advice is especially important if you have prior offenses on your driving record.

Also read What You Need to Know About Careless Driving in Florida And How to Handle It

Call the Ticket Clinic today for your free consultation or hire us online . Our lawyers are experienced in the Florida Traffic Court system and have handled over 3,000,000 cases nationwide since 1987.

Every school day busses transport students to and from school and the process of loading and unloading children calls for procedures that ensure their safety. For this purpose, school busses have safety equipment, such as flashing yellow and red lights, along with an extendable arm with a stop sign. These safety features, combined with related traffic laws, help protect children while entering and exiting school busses.

There seems to be a lot of confusion about when it’s OK and when it’s not OK to pass a school bus that is stopped on the side of the road.

The law states that anyone operating a motor vehicle on any Florida road or highway, upon approaching a school bus displaying a stop signal, must come to a full stop, and remain stopped until the school bus has withdrawn its signal.

However, there are exceptions which may contribute to the uncertainty surrounding this particular law. Specifically, you are allowed to pass a stopped school bus, displaying a stop signal, if you are traveling in the opposite direction of the school bus, in an area where the road or highway is divided by:

• A space of at least 5 feet of unpaved surface between the opposing lanes of traffic; or
• A raised median, such as a curbed area or island, between opposing lanes of traffic; or
• A physical boundary, such as a fence or cement safety barrier, between opposing lanes of traffic.

What is the fine for passing a stopped school bus:

• A moving violation citation accompanied by 4 points on your driving record
• A mandatory hearing
• Completion of an approved basic Driver Improvement Course
• A fine of $265 for passing on the same side of the street as the bus, and up to 1 year in jail
• A fine of $165 for passing on the opposing traffic side of the street from the bus, and up to 6 months in jail

Penalties involving serious injury or death may include:

• A mandatory hearing
• 1 year minimum driver license suspension
• A $1500 fine
• 6 points added to your driving record
• 120 hours of community service
• Participation in a victim impact panel, or completion of an approved Driver Improvement Course

HOW CAN AN ATTORNEY HELP YOU IF YOU’VE BEEN CITED FOR PASSING A STOPPED SCHOOL BUS? For example, an experienced attorney can attend the mandatory hearing and request that the charge be reduced to a non-moving violation, or request that the court withhold adjudication (agree not to hand down an official judgement in the case) so as to avoid points on your record, or in some cases, ask for dismissal of all charges due to insufficient evidence.

Also read Speeding in a School Zone or a Construction Zone – What You Should Know.

If you’re concerned about a ticket for illegally passing a school bus, call the Ticket Clinic today for a free consultation at 1-800-CITATION (1800-248-2846) or hire us online . Our experienced lawyers have resolved over 3,000,000 traffic related cases since 1987.

At some point or another most of us who drive will be pulled over by law enforcement. Obviously, it’s a nerve-racking experience that probably rates right up there with a trip to the dentist. It is possible, though, to limit the unpleasantness to a minimum if you keep a few pointers in mind. Here what to do if you are stopped by the police:

• As soon as it is safe to do so, immediately steer over as far as possible to the right-hand curb or shoulder of the road. Be sure to keep clear of intersections.
• Remain stopped and wait inside your vehicle until or unless the officer directs you to do otherwise.
• Keep your hands in plain sight.
• Turn on the interior light if it is dark outside.
• Comply with directions given by the officer.
• Upon request, show your license, registration and proof of insurance.
• Answer questions and communicate honestly and politely. Ask for an explanation if there’s something that is not clear.
• If a citation is issued, calmly accept it. Keep in mind that acceptance is not an admission of guilt. You will be afforded the opportunity to contest the citation in court.

• Traffic Violations.


• Reasonable supposition of criminal activity based on observation, available information from other police officers, police radio transmissions or a witness.


• Outstanding warrants.


• Minor infractions such as a broken taillight, driving after dark without headlights, etc.

Call THE TICKET CLINIC for a free consultation, or hire us online . You can increase your chances of lowering your fine or even having the charge dismissed entirely. Our experienced lawyers have resolved over 3,000,000 traffic-related cases nationwide since 1987. Call now at 1-800-CITATION (1-800-248-2846.)

For example, would you know how to question the citing police officer to court, and once there, would you know what questions to ask in order to raise reasonable doubt in your case?

Americans pay out literally billions of dollars on traffic related fines annually. Even if it’s your first offense, your wallet is going to take a hit (and so will your driving record in points.) If you have multiple offenses or it’s a serious violation, things could get very expensive without an advocate who knows how to work within the traffic court system. A traffic ticket lawyer can contest the citation and may be able to lower the fine or have it dismissed entirely, which could save you hundreds, even thousands, in some cases.

Say you get a red light ticket at an intersection with a camera, but you believe you were wrongfully cited. If you want to contest the ticket, you’ll need the video footage. However, “cutting through bureaucratic red tape” could prove to be a bit daunting. On the other hand, an experienced traffic ticket lawyer knows exactly how to gather the proper evidence.

Don’t automatically assume that you’ll save money by not hiring an attorney. Most people dismiss the idea of seeking legal advice because of cost. They may wrongly believe that they can more cheaply handle the matter on their own, but later discover that it winds up costing much more than they had originally anticipated. Depending on how many points are on your record, or how severe the violation, it may not be in your financial best interest to handle your case on your own behalf. Also, there’s more to be considered than just the fine alone. There’s the matter of points on your driving record that will most likely result in higher insurance premiums for years to come.

Call The Ticket Clinic for a free consultation or hire us online. Since 1987 our lawyers have resolved over 3,000,000 traffic related cases across the nation. Call now at 1-800-CITATION (1-800-248-2846)

The Ticket Clinic is hitting the highway to attend The Mid America Trucking Show to connect with professional drivers across the nation. This conference will take place March 28th to the 30th and is one of the largest in the country. Over 80,000 transportation professionals are expected to attend and we hope to meet as many as we can!

“With more than 1,000 exhibitors for 10 years running MATS offers attendees the opportunity to experience the entire industry through hand-on

demonstrations and Face to face interaction with product experts.” We’re excited to connect with drivers and to check out all the chrome and customization at the Beauty Show Truck competition.

Don’t have a ticket but plan on being in the Louisville area? You can purchase tickets at the door for $10 and submit them for your registration at any registration desk within the show. To access the show floor, you must display your Attendee Badge at all times.

Two of our experienced CDL attorneys will be manning booth #66108 available to answer any questions. We’ll also be giving away a Yeti Cooler to keep your snacks and beverages chilled on long stretches of highway. We’ll be around all weekend so if you’re in Louisville Kentucky for MATS make sure you stop by and say hello. Check out the floor plan here.

We love truckers and have a deep appreciation for the industry that drives America. Since 1987, we’ve helped thousands of transportation professionals with all types of traffic citations that could jeopardize a CDL driver’s good standing such as speeding tickets and even accidents. Good luck finding another law firm that understands traffic better than us. We understand your job is tough so we strive to make stressful situations affecting your license a little easier.

We thought this conference would be a great opportunity for us to inform drivers about our new special program for CDL holders and fleet services administrators. Benefits include a discount on legal services, quick access to knowledgeable CDL attorneys, free gift and membership card. Best of all, this program is completely free to all transportation professionals and you can sign up in just a few minutes.

There are certain charges no driver wants to see on their record. With the exception of a DUI offense, reckless driving is one of the worst offenses a driver can find themselves obtaining. As there are a number of ways that you could be subject to receiving a reckless driving offense, it is important to understand what it is before you get behind the wheel, in order to prevent the consequences and financial hardships associated with it.

In Florida, Reckless Driving is one of the worst moving violations a driver can receive. Unlike careless driving or improper driving, where the driver could be considered unaware of the dangers of their actions, reckless driving considers the driver both aware of their actions and showing disregard for the safety of others and traffic laws.

While this charge can be received for a number of reasons and conditions that vary from state to state, Florida law clearly describes reckless driving consisting of a driver exhibiting “wanton disregard” for property and lives of other drivers or pedestrians.

In the state of Florida, anyone charged with reckless driving and found guilty will receive severe penalties. On their first offense, drivers will be punished with no more than 90 days in jail, along with a fine ranging from $25 up to $1,000. On a second offense, the driver will be subject to a jail sentence of no more than six months, in addition to a fine ranging from $50 to $5,000. However, if a driver was involved any type of property damage, the charge is upgraded to a first degree misdemeanor. If the driver caused any type of serious injury to another person, the charge may be upgraded to a third-degree felony. Serious injury is defined as any injury that puts a person in serious risk of dying, severe bodily harm or the loss of any bodily function or organ. If this offense took place while the driver was under the influence of drugs, alcohol or any other type of illegal substance outlined within the state’s statues, they will receive an additional DUI charge and be responsible for completing any and all court-ordered substance abuse programs.

To make matters worse, a driver convicted will be faced with consequences from their insurance company. Insurance companies take reckless driving very seriously, and anyone found guilty with a reckless driving charge and almost guarantee their rates will increase. It is very common for drivers to see their insurance policies double in price due to a single reckless driving charge.

The cost to hire a reckless driving lawyer to fight your case can vary depending on a variety of factors for your charge. If you have previous charges on your driving record, it could lead to a hefty fine. One call to the lawyers at The Ticket Clinic, or hiring us online, can help increase your chances of a lower fine or possibly even a dismissal of your reckless driving charge. Since 1987, The Ticket Clinic has resolved over 3,000,000 traffic-related cases across the nation. Call now at 1-800-CITATION (1-800-248-2846) for your free consultation!

Maybe you turned right at a red light, stopped over the line at the intersection, or passed through just as the light turned red. If so, you may come to receive a hefty fine in the mail if you have been found in violation of a red light camera. Understanding how these devices work and how to dispute them may help you prevent a steep fine, higher insurance premiums, and other consequences on your driving record.

Not all states and counties have red-light cameras in use. According to a report by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles in 2017, 63 Florida jurisdictions implement the use of these devices.

Red light cameras are a relatively new photo enforcement technology that is becoming increasingly prevalent in Florida intersections. These devices are used to automate the process of recording drivers committing a red light violation, serving as a major ally in prosecution. As a driver passes over a sensor in the intersection while the traffic signal is red, a camera is activated, taking pictures of the driver and their front license plate. After the violation is recorded, an enforcement program issues a citation, which is then mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle. The red light camera can also capture up to 12 seconds of video as further evidence of the crime committed.

Due to the timeliness of these photos, many drivers are caught “red-handed” in an illegal act, like passing through an intersection while the signal is red. Though these may seem like indisputable pieces of evidence, there are still ways for drivers cited by these cameras to fight the tickets.

While many states vary in who is held responsible when a red light camera captures a violation, in the state of Florida, the registered owner of the vehicle receives the bill. This means that if someone is borrowing your car and triggers a red light camera, you will likely be the one to receive the citation.

In some situations, like in the case of a recently-sold car under new ownership or a stolen vehicle, the citation issued can be dismissed with the submission of an affidavit. It is recommended that drivers seeking dismissal should consult a local attorney specializing in traffic tickets for proper guidance.

Red Light Cameras in the state of Florida capture a number of violations, many of which are accompanied by a citation in the mail issued to the owner of the car. Failing to make a complete stop when turning right at a red light, passing through an intersection while the light is red, or stopping in the middle of an intersection during a red light can all result in a Notice of Violation (essentially, a ticket in the mail). Legally, each of these violations will result in a citation for s, 316.075(1)(c)1., Fla.Stat., which mandates drivers to come to a complete stop before a red light. These violations are captured in both photo and video form by the red light camera.

It is important to note that not all photos that were taken result in a violation. For instance, breaking beyond the line at a red light may trigger a camera without a violation having occurred. Every image captured by a red light camera is eventually reviewed by a police officer, who will decide whether the driver was in violation of traffic laws.

Over the years, there have been many debates over the legality of police departments utilizing red light cameras provided by third-party vendors. Florida’s House approved a statewide ban on these devices in 2017, however, soon after the Florida Supreme Court ruled that red light cameras are legal and may be used in the interest of public safety.

Since the ruling, some cities in Florida have chosen to end their use of Red Light Cameras, while others continue to use them. For instance, in Palm Beach County, only Boynton Beach is currently using these cameras.

For the most accurate information regarding the locations of red light cameras, drivers should check their city’s website. Most cities post the location of cameras, the fines associated with citations issued from the cameras, and the process of receiving and paying or disputing a citation.

While some cities in Florida have refused to reactivate their cameras since the ruling in 2017, they are within their rights to reactivate them at any time. Your best course of action at any traffic signal is to obey state laws and wait until the light turns green.

Costs can vary depending on the county, but the typical cost for a red light camera ticket in Florida is $158. This fee can rise to $262 if you fail to pay the ticket after the first mailed notification.

If you receive a traffic ticket from a red light camera and do not choose to contest the citation, you must pay the fine listed on the ticket within 30 days of receiving it. If you do so, no points are added to your record. However, if you miss this deadline, not only will your fine increase, but you will also incur court costs and three points on your license.

Continuing to ignore the citation can result in the suspension of your license, even higher fines, and the fee of reinstating your driver’s license.

If you plan to contest the violation, your first step should be finding a local attorney that specializes in traffic tickets. An attorney can guide you through the legal red tape, ensure that all deadlines are met and all evidence is gathered and presented in the way that best represents your case.

A great way to increase your chances of reducing the fine or getting the charge dismissed entirely is to call the lawyers at The Ticket Clinic or hire us online. Since 1987, The Ticket Clinic has resolved over 3,000,000 traffic-related cases across the nation. Call 1-800-CITATION (1-800-248-2846) now for your free consultation!