Motor Vehicle Offenses

Motor vehicle offenses or driving offenses come in all shapes and sizes, some extremely serious and some a mere slap on the wrist. Florida’s legislature has set out a series of laws that dictate what is and is not permissible for Florida drivers. These laws govern certain motor vehicle offenses should a driver violate these laws in some way, shape or form. Despite driving offenses having the largest gap between the least serious and most serious offense of any other classification of crime, even the most insignificant infraction often carries with it collateral penalties that can be more detrimental than those that are direct. Unlike many other classifications of offenses in Florida, these offenses often involve both the criminal court system and the administrative process managed by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (“DHSMV”).

In Tampa, many common offenses of this like include driving while license suspended, no valid driver’s license, leaving the scene of an accident, DUI, vehicular manslaughter, racing, reckless driving, and fleeing to elude.

• Driving While License Suspended
• Habitual Traffic Offender
• DUI
• Leaving the Scene of an Accident
• No Valid Driver’s license
• Racing on the Highway
• Reckless Driving
• Fleeing to Elude
• Vehicular Homicide
• Overturning Driver’s License Suspensions and Citations

As with other categories of crime in Florida the penalties for this variation of offense vary from a civil infraction punishable by a monetary fine, all the way up to a first degree felony punishable by up to 30 years in the Florida Department of Corrections, a $10,000 fine, and 120 public service hours in a Florida trauma center or hospital that regularly treats those who are victims of automobile accidents. As with any other crime, your driving and criminal history will be considered when imposing sentence. This is both discretionary for Judges and mandated by statute for certain offenses.

Certain motor vehicle offenses carry collateral penalties imposed by the DHSMV. An example of this would be habitual traffic offender status after paying a third civil infraction within 5 years for driving while license suspended. Though the direct penalty for this type of citation may only be a monetary fine, the adjudication of guilt resulting therefrom triggers a 5 year driver’s license suspension from the DHSMV. Like direct penalties involved in any motor vehicle offense, collateral penalties from the DHSMV are often dependent on your driver’s history.

Regardless of the severity of a motor vehicle offense you’re charged with, it would be in your best interest to consult a skilled and experienced lawyer. More than any other category of crime, motor vehicle offenses involve pitfalls the layperson would have no idea could affect them. Each attorney at The Mayberry Law Firm has vast experience with all kinds of motor vehicle offenses. As former prosecutors we’ve prosecuted these crimes and as criminal defense lawyers we’ve defended our clients against the criminal allegations involved and ensured the collateral pitfalls were avoided. We have the experience and skill necessary to help you with your motor vehicle offense. Contact us today at 813-444-7435.