Did a police officer in Pensacola stop your vehicle and issue you a citation or arrest you for an offense? Traffic violations can pose serious legal jeopardy for your reputation and future. Even if you only received a speeding ticket, you should not accept a penalty without first consulting an experienced traffic offense lawyer. An experienced traffic ticket attorney can help you understand the potential consequences of a citation or conviction. They’ll be able to walk you through your legal options for seeking a better outcome for your case. Contact The Morris Firm today for an initial case evaluation with a traffic violation lawyer for help resolving a ticket or arrest in Pensacola. Our firm can guide you through traffic court procedures and advocate for the best possible resolution under the circumstances.

Why Choose a Speeding Ticket Lawyer from The Morris Firm? 

A traffic ticket may not seem serious at first blush. However, a conviction for a traffic violation can have various long-term consequences. These include fines, points on your driver’s license, and increased insurance costs. As a result, you need experienced legal counsel to help you protect your interests and fight for a favorable resolution to your case. Turn to a traffic ticket attorney from The Morris Firm to advocate for you because:

• We go above and beyond for our clients. You can reach our team 24/7 to get help when you need it most. Our firm takes the time to get to know you and understand your needs, concerns, and goals. We spend the time and effort necessary to develop a case strategy tailored to your needs.
• Our firm maintains positive working relationships with law enforcement and the criminal justice system. This enables us to guide our clients through the legal process effectively. You can rest assured that we will advocate aggressively for your interests and future.
• Attorney Brandon Morris has almost exclusively practiced criminal law, having handled over 3,500 cases. His extensive trial experience has given him in-depth insights into evidentiary and procedural rules in criminal cases.

Types of Traffic Offenses We Handle

At The Morris Firm, a traffic offense lawyer can help you resolve cases involving moving violations or criminal charges such as:

Traffic Violations 

Our legal team has the resources to help you seek a favorable resolution to a traffic ticket or an arrest. We handle cases involving a variety of infractions and violations, including:

• Speeding
• Reckless driving
• Careless driving
• Improper passing
• Driving too close to other vehicles
• Failure to use the designated lane
• Illegal turns
• Failure to signal
• Running red lights or stop signs
• Failure to yield the right of way
• Failure to move over for or yield to emergency vehicles
• Failure to stop for school buses
• Illegal stopping
• Driving without a license or driving with a suspended/revoked license
• Driving without insurance or registration

In Florida, a traffic violation can constitute a criminal offense that may subject a driver to criminal prosecution for a misdemeanor or felony, depending on the severity of the violation and the grading of the charge. A traffic infraction occurs when a driver violates various traffic laws or regulations. A court may punish a traffic infraction by imposing a fine through a ticket or citation rather than the possibility of jail or prison time.

DUI/DWI 

Under Florida law, a person may commit a DUI if they drive or exercise actual physical control of a vehicle while under the influence of alcoholic beverages or controlled substances to the extent they impair the person’s normal faculties or while having a blood/breath alcohol content of 0.08 or more.

Understanding Traffic Violation Penalties

Penalties for traffic offenses in Pensacola will depend on whether the offense constitutes a violation or infraction. A traffic violation can expose a driver to criminal penalties based on the grading of the offense. Base penalties under Florida law include:

• Second-Degree Misdemeanor – Up to 180 days in jail, a fine of up to $1,000, or both
• First-Degree Misdemeanor – Up to one year in jail, a fine of up to $1,000, or both
• Third-Degree Felony – Up to five years in prison and a potential fine of up to $5,000
• Second-Degree Felony – Up to 15 years in prison and a potential fine of up to $10,000
• First-Degree Felony – Up to 30 years in prison and a potential fine of up to $10,000

Traffic infractions incur punishment in the form of fines imposed by tickets or citations. A driver who accepts a ticket or gets found guilty of an infraction when contesting the ticket in court must pay the fine imposed by the ticket and receive points on their driver’s license. Accumulating enough points can result in the suspension of one’s driving privileges.

For DUI, penalties for a conviction will depend on the number of prior DUI convictions a driver has and whether the case involved aggravating factors, such as driving with a minor in the vehicle or causing an accident resulting in property damage or injury. Penalties may include:

First Offense

A fine of $500 to $1,000 (or $1,000 to $2,000 with a BAC of 0.15 or more or a minor in the vehicle), up to six months in jail (or up to nine months with a BAC of 0.15 or more or a minor in the vehicle), 10 days of vehicle immobilization, 180 days to one year of license suspension (or minimum three-year license suspension for causing bodily injury)

Second Offense

A fine of $1,000 to $2,000 (or $2,000 to $4,000 with a BAC of 0.15 or more or a minor in the vehicle), up to nine months in jail (or up to 12 months with a BAC of 0.15 or more or a minor in the vehicle) with a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 days for a second conviction within five years of a first conviction, 30 days of vehicle immobilization (within five years of a prior conviction), 180 days to one year of license suspension or minimum three-year license suspension for causing bodily injury (or minimum five-year suspension for a second conviction within five years)

Third Offense (Within 10 Years of a Second Offense)

A fine of $2,000 to $5,000 (or minimum fine of $4,000 with a BAC of 0.15 or more or a minor in the vehicle), 30 days to 12 months in jail, 90 days of vehicle immobilization, minimum 10-year license suspension

Third Offense (More Than 10 Years from a Second Offense)

A fine of $2,000 to $5,000 (or minimum fine of $4,000 with a BAC of 0.15 or more or a minor in the vehicle), up to 12 months in jail, 90 days of vehicle immobilization, 180 days to one year of license suspension (or minimum three-year license suspension for causing bodily injury)

Fourth or Subsequent Offense

A fine of at least $2,000 (or minimum fine of $4,000 with a BAC of 0.15 or more or a minor in the vehicle), up to five years in prison, mandatory permanent license revocation with eligibility for reinstatement after five years

Potential Ticket Dismissal Strategies 

Drivers may pursue various case strategies to fight a traffic ticket or criminal charge or to mitigate the consequences of a citation or conviction. Potential defenses to traffic offenses include:

• Uncalibrated Equipment – Defendants may argue that the arresting officer had an uncalibrated speed gun or speedometer they used to determine the defendant’s speed before a traffic stop. Similarly, a defendant facing DUI charges may contend that the police failed to calibrate their breathalyzer equipment or did not follow proper field sobriety or chemical testing protocols.
• Lack of Reasonable Suspicion or Probable Cause – A defendant may argue that an arresting officer did not observe driving infractions or learn of evidence indicating a traffic violation to support reasonable suspicion or probable cause for a traffic stop.
• Mistaken Identity – A defendant may argue that police erroneously stopped them based on a report of a traffic infraction or violation, mistaking them as the offender based on the description of the offender’s vehicle.

For traffic infractions, drivers can choose to pay their citation and attend a safe driving education court to avoid having points imposed on their driver’s license. 

How Can a Reckless Driving Attorney Help with Your Case? 

A traffic violation lawyer from The Morris Firm can help you seek a favorable outcome to your traffic case by:

• Investigating your case to recover evidence that can help build a defense strategy for you
• Explaining your citation or charges and the potential consequences you may face to help you make informed choices about how to resolve your case
• Vigorously contesting the prosecution’s case to seek a prompt resolution
• Exploring your possible legal options to avoid the harshest consequences of a ticket or conviction
• Advocating on your behalf in court when you decide to fight your ticket or criminal charges

Contact Our Firm Today for Dedicated Legal Representation

Have you received a traffic ticket or been arrested for a traffic violation in Pensacola? You need experienced legal representation to help negotiate with prosecutors and pursue a favorable resolution to your case. Contact The Morris Firm today at (850) 503-2626 to arrange a confidential consultation with a dedicated Pensacola criminal defense lawyer to discuss your legal options for protecting your rights and interests as you face a ticket or criminal prosecution for a traffic offense.