Speeding tickets are the most common moving traffic violation in the United States. 41 million drivers receive a speeding ticket each year, totaling around $6 billion.
There are many problems with speeding tickets. One is that they can easily get lost. Whether you receive a violation en route or through the mail, the paper citation can end up in the void.
If you lost your Tampa speeding ticket, don’t panic. Read this guide instead.
Steps to Take After Losing a Tampa Speeding Ticket
Losing a traffic citation isn’t the end of the world. Here’s what to do if you lose your Tampa speeding ticket:
Gather Important Details
It can be difficult to recall important details during a traffic stop. If you lose your Tampa speeding ticket, try to remember as much as possible.
You should know the date and location of where you received the ticket. If you know the approximate time you got pulled over, this information will be helpful too.
The more details you remember, the better. For instance, it’s helpful to recall the officer’s name, but some people don’t check or remember this information.
If you haven’t already, check your records to see if information regarding your ticket was sent via certified mail.
With the details you remember, contact the police department to explain your situation. It’s possible that they can access the record using the provided information. If they can confirm the citation, ask for a copy.
Explore the Different Search Methods
The state DMV might have a record of a speeding citation. You can visit the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) or contact them about accessing your driving record.
A basic online search could be helpful in your situation. Some reliable third-party websites offer traffic ticket search tools. Make sure to check the privacy policies of these websites before giving your personal information.
Take a Proactive Approach
If you fail to find your traffic ticket, you may miss your payment or court due date. If you remember enough details about your citation, you can pay the estimated fine.
This is a great way to resolve the issue if you fail to find the ticket. The standard fine for speeding in Tampa depends on how fast over the limit you were going. If you were speeding in a school zone, the price increases.
Keep any receipts of payment if you decide to go this route. The faster you act, the better your chances of avoiding late fees and a possible license suspension.
Typically, you’ll have 30 days from the date you receive the ticket to answer or pay your fine. If you fail to do so within 90 days, the data is sent to a collection agency, and the fines are doubled.
If you had planned on contesting your speeding ticket, hire an attorney. Even without a copy of the citation, they can help you navigate the problem and come up with potential solutions. If it comes down to it, they can also represent you in court.
Why You Should Hire a Lawyer
Many people receive a traffic ticket and immediately pay the fine. While this may seem like the only option, you can contest a traffic violation.
Paying speeding ticket fines means you are admitting guilt. This can lead to driving record consequences. For example, your insurance premium may increase and the increase can last for years.
How to Fix a Traffic Issue
You can fight your traffic ticket, but it will take some effort and time. If you want to fix a traffic issue with or without your citation, take these steps:
Contact the Courthouse
Tampa, Florida has six surrounding counties. Figure out which county you were in when your traffic incident happened. If you end up finding your ticket, you can find the county in the upper left corner.
Contact the Clerk of Court of the listed county and speak with someone in the Traffic Department.
Tell the traffic department that you want to file a Motion for Relief on your ticket. This is a written request to the court to ask to fix your traffic issue. If you didn’t answer your ticket before the 30 days, you can ask to remove your ticket from collections.
Wait for the Verdict
Most often, it’ll take the court up to 30 days to answer your motion. If a traffic attorney files the motion for you, you may hear back sooner.
With a granted motion, the traffic ticket gets removed from collections. The late fees you incurred will also be waived. If your license was suspended, you’ll be able to reinstate it at this time as well.
How to Prevent a Lost Traffic Ticket
Dealing with a lost traffic citation is annoying and inconvenient. You can prevent losing a traffic ticket by dealing with it right away and forwarding your mail when you move.
When you receive a speeding ticket, don’t ignore it. If you receive a ticket while you are driving or if you receive it in the mail from a red light camera, answer it ASAP. Filing it away or leaving it for later is an easy way to lose the ticket.
If you move at any point, always forward your mail. Losing a traffic ticket because you didn’t update your address isn’t an excuse for the court. You’ll still have to go through all the steps to avoid collections.
While the court may provide you with some leniency, it’s not an excuse to get out of the ticket entirely.
It’s common for people to miss a ticket because it was sent to the wrong address. Don’t make this same mistake.
Work With a Tampa Speeding Ticket Lawyer
Losing a Tampa speeding ticket can cause a lot of stress. While there are many solutions to look into, consider hiring a Tampa traffic ticket attorney.
RHINO Lawyers is a forward-thinking law firm in Tampa staffed with attorneys with years of experience. We have a track record of helping clients with bold representations that get results.
Get a free case analysis from RHINO Lawyers today.
CONTACT TAMPA TRAFFIC TICKET ATTORNEY
RHINO Lawyers can help and guide you through a system molded by law enforcement, judges, and lawyers for decades. Having won cases for our clients in similar circumstances, our criminal defense team knows what it takes to fight on your behalf.
Let RHINO Lawyers answer your questions and review the facts of your case with a Free Consultation. So, get started by completing the “Free Instant Case Evaluation” or by calling us any time, day or night, at (844) RHINO-77.
