BRADENTON TRAFFIC CRIMES

Most police/citizen contact occurs on the road, and most interactions happen as a result of traffic stops. Merely because you were given a citation in lieu of being arrested does not mean that the Courts will treat your offense as minor. 

NO VALID DRIVER'S LICENSE

NVDL is a second-degree misdemeanor, punishable by up to 60 days in the Manatee county jail. Call the Bradenton criminal defense attorneys at Fowler Law Group for an explanation of how we handle these types of charges. High fines and a criminal record that could jeopardize your future is usually sought by the State, even for first time offenders.

DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED (DWLS)

Driving while license suspended can be a confusing charge to understand. In Florida, DWLS are broken into two general categories. DWLS with knowledge of the suspension and DWLS without knowledge of the suspension. DWLS with knowledge is considered a crime, punishable by jail time. The more times the crime is committed, the worse the potential punishments get. The amount of jail time that the State requests is usually dependent upon the reason for the suspension. Licenses may be suspended for a numerous reasons, including but not limited to: non-payment of civil citations, non-payment of fines, delinquent child support, and failure to carry insurance. Contact the experienced Bradenton criminal defense attorneys at Fowler Law Group to discuss potential defenses to this common charge.

DWLS WITHOUT KNOWLEDGE

DWLS without knowledge is a civil infraction and is frequently confused with the more serious criminal charge of DWLS with knowledge. Although this charge is less serious in the sense that it is not criminal in nature, if not handled properly DWLS without knowledge could lead to serious consequences for your driver’s license, as simply paying the ticket that is issued will trigger a conviction for the offense, which is designated as a major traffic infraction. Three major traffic infractions within a five-year period of time will designate the driver as a Habitual Traffic Offender. It may be possible to avoid that conviction by contacting an attorney who is experienced in handling those types of matters. Call the Bradenton criminal defense attorneys at Fowler Law Group to discuss how to handle these charges.

HABITUAL TRAFFIC OFFENDER

Certain driving charges are considered “major traffic infractions” in the State of Florida. If someone is convicted of three major traffic infractions within a five year period of time, they will become designated as a Habitual Traffic Offender (HTO) and their license will be suspended for a period of five years. Persons caught driving on a HTO suspension will find themselves before a judge with prosecutors asking for substantial jail time, usually starting out around 30 days.  If you have been designated as a Habitual Traffic Offender contact the Bradenton criminal defense attorneys at Fowler Law Group as soon as possible, there may be chance to reinstate your license.

RECKLESS DRIVING

The State of Florida defines “Reckless Driving” as driving a vehicle in a willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property. Should reckless driving result in damage to the property or person of another; the crime is a first-degree misdemeanor, punishable by 11 months and 29 days in the county jail. Should serious bodily injury occur, the crime is enhanced to a third degree felony punishable by up to 5 years in State prison. It is important to contact an attorney should you find yourself charged with such an offense so that valuable evidence can be gathered and preserved. As Bradenton criminal defense attorneys, the attorneys at Fowler Law Group can help you build a defense to these charges.

FLEEING TO ELUDE

Fleeing to Elude is considered a “major traffic infraction” in the State of Florida, and carries upon conviction a mandatory felony adjudication of guilt and license suspension. If the driver of a vehicle, knows that they are being commanded to stop the vehicle, willfully refuses to stop the vehicle, or after having stopped, flees in an attempt to elude an officer, they may be charged with this offense. Simple fleeing to elude is a third degree felony, punishable by up to 5 years in prison. When the person fleeing drives at a high speed or demonstrates a wanton disregard for the safety or persons or property, the charge is enhanced to a second degree felony, punishable by 15 years in prison. If the speed or disregard for safety results in serious bodily injury/death of another person, the charge is a first-degree felony, punishable by up to 30 years. Contact the Bradenton criminal defense attorneys at Fowler Law Group today to discuss how to best handle this serious charge.