If it feels like it’s easier than ever to get a ticket while driving in the Sunshine State, that’s because it is. Florida passed a law in 2023 that permits local jurisdictions to place speed cameras in school zones to automatically ticket drivers going 10 mph or more over the speed limit.
These laws might help with safety, but they leave many Floridians asking, “Are traffic tickets misdemeanors?” The answer to that question is, it depends. Read on to learn more about traffic violation penalties and your options!
Are Traffic Tickets Misdemeanors?
Florida has two categories of traffic tickets, infractions and violations. Most simple traffic tickets are infractions because they aren’t as severe as violations. Violations are criminal offenses of driving laws, and they are subdivided into misdemeanors and felonies.
Of the two categories of violations, felonies carry stronger consequences. A misdemeanor might carry a fine or a small amount of jail time, but a felony typically carries stiffer fines and lengthier jail terms. Infractions generally carry a small fine or other smaller penalties, but their fines increase based on things like miles over the speed limit in a school zone.
Most Common Misdemeanor Traffic Offenses
It’s important to be informed when you hit the road so you can avoid costly mistakes. The following violations are serious enough to fall within the misdemeanor traffic category in Florida.
Hit and Run Accidents
There were 104,273 hit-and-run accidents in Florida in 2023. As a result, 271 people died, and 871 people suffered serious bodily injury. It should come as no surprise that you’re required to stop when you’ve been involved in an accident. It doesn’t matter if you’re on public or private property if any of the following factors exist, you must stop:
- Property damage
- Injury
- Fatalities
Misdemeanors for hit-and-run accidents are limited to accidents that only have property damage. If there are injuries or fatalities and you fail to stop, you face a first-, second-, or third-degree felony. Make it a rule to always stop when you’ve been in an accident to avoid major consequences.
Driving Without Insurance
Every state in the U.S. requires drivers to carry auto insurance, no matter what your car is worth. Florida residents must carry auto insurance at all times. It must be issued by an insurance company licensed in Florida to sell policies, and meet the following standards:
- Minimum of $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection
- Minimum of $10,000 in Property Damage Liability
In addition to the penalties outlined below, driving without insurance coverage might result in the suspension of your driver’s license and license plates for up to three years.
Driving Without a Valid License
Driving in the Sunshine State is a privilege, and all drivers must have a valid license for the vehicle they’re operating. That means, if you’re operating a passenger vehicle in Florida, you need to have a valid class E license. Your license needs to be current in order to be valid, expired and suspended licenses are not acceptable.
The law exempts visitors from out-of-state who have valid licenses in their home state. However, if someone is a new resident of Florida, they must obtain a Florida license within 30 days of establishing residency.
If you’re caught driving on a suspended license, the following charges apply:
- The first conviction results in a second-degree misdemeanor
- The second conviction results in a first-degree misdemeanor
- The third conviction results in a third-degree felony
Reckless Driving
It might sound fun to see how fast your car can go, but joyrides often have devastating results. Florida law defines reckless driving as driving a motor vehicle with willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property. If you’re racing another car or speeding and weaving in and out of traffic, a reckless driving ticket might be in your future.
Like other misdemeanors, the number of offenses you have on your record and the extent of the injuries determines whether you’re charged with a misdemeanor or a felony.
Driving Under the Influence
Driving under the influence is a serious violation of the law. Florida has initiatives to raise awareness and prevent DUI driving across the state.
Traffic violation penalties for DUIs have a little bit more nuance than other misdemeanors. Your penalty depends on the following factors:
- Your number of previous convictions
- Your blood alcohol level
- The presence of a minor in the vehicle
- The extent of damage to property
- The presence of serious bodily injury
- Fatalities
Ticket Legal Consequences
Misdemeanor traffic ticket offenses fall into two degrees.
First-degree offenses are the most serious and have a fine of up to $1,000 and one year in jail or on probation. Second-degree offenses have jail terms of up to 180 days and/or a maximum fine of $1,000. Ultimately, the punishment for a traffic ticket depends on the circumstances surrounding the incident.
You should also know that repeat offenders face more serious penalties than first-time offenders.
For example, driving under the influence is a misdemeanor, but if you’ve hit your fourth conviction, you face felony charges and up to five years in prison and at least $2,000 in fines. Similarly, first-time offenders lose their license for 180 or more days while fourth-time offenders lose their license permanently.
Legal consequences aren’t the only fallout from misdemeanor traffic tickets. Having more points on your record means you’ll have to pay more for car insurance. You can also lose your job depending on company policy.
With all of this to lose, it’s critical that you find an attorney to represent you.
Are You Dealing with the Fallout from a Traffic Ticket?
Are traffic tickets misdemeanors? The answer to that question depends on several factors, including how fast you were going, the extent of damage and injuries, and other circumstances. If you get a traffic ticket, don’t head to court on your own-make sure you have expert legal representation to avoid unnecessary consequences.
Our team at RHINO Lawyers is passionate about giving clients the best legal representation possible. Whether you need help defending traffic tickets in Florida or fighting a felony, we’re here for you. Contact us today for a free case analysis!
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.
