According to Florida statutes, civil traffic infractions are those traffic violations which are not considered to be of a criminal nature. Civil traffic infractions include both moving and non-moving violations, and can involve activities such as failing to yield at a stop sign, not wearing a seat belt, various parking violations, careless driving, not giving the right-of-way to a pedestrian in a crosswalk and more. Any person who receives a ticket for a civil traffic infraction has a maximum of 30 days in which to satisfy the terms of their citation by either paying the fees associated with the violation, attending a defensive driving class (providing you are eligible), or requesting a court hearing. Failure to resolve a civil traffic citation within 30 days could lead to the suspension of your license, in addition to late fees and other charges.
Criminal traffic offenses are those traffic violations where an individual has allegedly committed a misdemeanor or felony. In this type of situation, the accused individual will not simply be charged with a traffic infraction, they will be charged with committing a criminal offense, and could face the very real possibility of jail or prison time. Some of the more common criminal traffic offenses include DUI, hit and run, reckless driving, vehicular homicide, driving with a suspended license, leaving the scene of an accident, and more. Anyone cited for a criminal traffic offense will be required to appear in court.
If you or a loved one is facing charges for a criminal traffic offense, in or around Tampa, FL, you must act quickly because your freedom and your future are at stake. Do not underestimate the value of having a skilled criminal defense attorney on your side, who is dedicated to providing you with the aggressive representation you need in court. It could make all the difference when it comes to obtaining a successful resolution in your case.
Contact The Law Office of Timothy Hessinger today in order to discuss your case with a knowledgeable Tampa criminal defense attorney.