If you or a loved one is classified as a habitual traffic offender (HTO) by Florida’s Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, you may be interested in exploring your legal options for combatting this status and any potential associated penalties. The consequences for being charged as a habitual traffic offender may be incredibly inconvenient and could even prevent you from driving to work or picking your kids up from school.
If you received a letter from the Florida DMV informing you of a license suspension due to your designation as a habitual traffic offender, you may want to schedule a free consultation with a well-versed traffic defense attorney. A Boca Raton habitual traffic offenders lawyer from Leifert & Leifert could examine the unique circumstances of your case, research effective defense strategies, and potentially provide representation in court.
Habitual Traffic Offender Revocations and the Point System
According to Florida Statutes §322.264, an individual can be identified by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles as a “habitual traffic offender” when they have three convictions within five years for separate severe traffic offenses. Eligible offenses may include but are not limited to:
- Receiving a DUI or DWI
- Committing voluntary or involuntary manslaughter
- Committing any felony using a motor vehicle
- Driving with a suspended or revoked license
- Failing to stop and aid a person in a motor vehicle accident
- Driving a commercial vehicle without the proper licensure
Additionally, habitual traffic offender status could be assigned if a driver has 15 convictions or more for moving traffic violations within five years, per Florida’s point system. Some point values for traffic offenses are:
- Causing an accident via speed violation – 6 points
- Running a red light – 4 points
- Speeding more than 15 miles over the speed limit – 4 points
- Driving with an open container of alcohol – 3 points
- Speeding up to 15 miles over the speed limit – 3 points
Regardless of how someone reached HTO status, Boca Raton habitual traffic offender defense attorneys could examine the circumstances of their classification and license revocation and work to help them reverse that status.
Consequences of a Habitual Traffic Offender Classification
When deemed to be a habitual traffic offender, a person may have their driver’s license suspended for up to five years. If a person who is classified as a habitual traffic offender is caught operating a motor vehicle during this suspension period, they may face a Third-Degree Felony charge, which can lead to prison time of up to five years and possible fines of up to $5,000. A habitual traffic offender defense lawyer in Boca Raton could fight to protect an individual’s reputation as well as their driving privileges.
Contact a Boca Raton Habitual Traffic Offender Attorney
Reach out to a Boca Raton habitual traffic offenders lawyer as soon as possible to start exploring your legal options and working to get your driving privileges restored quickly. Our legal team could help protect you and your family from the stigma and the day-to-day inconveniences that may occur from a habitual traffic offender conviction.
The court system can quickly become confusing and attending a court hearing without legal representation could negatively impact your case. Call today to schedule an appointment with a habitual traffic offender attorney at Leifert & Leifert.
