Tampa is a booming city that is full of landmarks that encompasses all of Hillsborough County. These landmarks include Channelside, International Plaza/Airport area, Veteran’s Expressway, Dale Mabry, Kennedy Blvd., Tampa Convention Center/Port area, and the bridges (Gandy, Courtney Campbell, and Howard Franklin bridges). Along with landmarks comes high populations and thereby police officers giving out traffic violations.
Local attractions to the area include the Florida Aquarium, the Lowry Park Zoo, Busch Gardens, and Channelside. Still others enjoy ice hockey with the Tampa Bay Lightning, football with the Buccaneers and many artistic performances that take place in the Tampa Bay area. The local population is 1,267,775 people. With this many people there are many local law enforcement agencies.
The local law enforcement agencies are: Tampa Police Department, Temple Terrace Police Department, Plant City Police Department, Hillsborough County Sherriff’s Office. Florida Highway Patrol also monitors the major highways in and around Hillsborough County. They Florida Highway patrol has 10 motorcycle patrollers on their squad. Most of the vehicles of the aforementioned law enforcement agencies have radar guns and speed detecting equipment in their vehicles.
Operation 3D is an ongoing project to promote safe driving county-wide. This operation includes vehicle safety checks at advertised locations in an attempt to promote voluntary compliance with DUI laws and regulations.
There are two types of vehicle infractions issued in Hillsborough County. These types are: a criminal infraction or a civil infraction. A criminal infraction is one of DWI, DUI, driving with a suspended license, driving without a valid driver’s license, etc.). For these tickets, you must schedule a hearing within 10 days of the ticket either by US mail or in person.
A civil infraction is one in which you were charged with unlawful speed, careless driving, not stopping at a stop sign, etc. For these tickets, you must either schedule a court date within 30 days, pay the fine or elect to attend a driving school to avoid points being put on your license.
Penalties for Traffic Violations
There are fees and fines associated with violations and traffic infractions. In addition to this, there can also be points assessed on your license.
Non-moving violations beginning with 316, 320, or 322…………………………….$103.00
Non-moving violations NOT beginning with 316, 320, or 322………………………$80.50
Moving violations beginning with 316, 320, or 322………………………………….$153.00
Moving violations NOT beginning with 316, 320, or 322……………………………$127.50
Speeding Violations
1-5mph over the limit………………………………………………………………..WARNING
1-5 mph over the limit in a school zone/construction zone…………………………..$143.00
6-10 mph over the limit……………………………………………………………….$118.00
6-10 mph over the limit in a school zone/construction zone………………………….$143.00
10-14 mph over the limit………………………………………………………………$193.00
10-14 mph over the limit in a school zone/construction zone…………………………$293.00
15-19 mph over the limit……………………………………………………………….$243.00
15-19 mph over the limit in a school zone/construction zone………………………….$393.00
20-29 mph over the limit……………………………………………………………….$268.00
20-29 mph over the limit in a school zone/construction zone…………………………$443.00
30+ mph over the limit…………………………………………………….…Mandatory Court
Toll Violations (Guilty plea entered)………………………………………….………$193.00
Toll Violations (Adjudication withheld)………………………………………..……..$123.00
Littering…………………………………………………………………………………$110.00
Fail to Stop at a Stop Sign or Traffic Signal.…………………………………………..$251.00
Improper Equipment……………………………………………………….…………..$103.00
Registration Infraction………………………………………………………..…………$103.00
Insurance Infraction…………………………………………………………..……………$103.00
Besides fines/fees, you can also have points assessed on your license (as outline below), you may have higher insurance premiums, or even worse—your license may be suspended. It is best to contact a Tampa Speeding Ticket Attorney to find out the penalties you may be facing and what your rights are.
The Points
What does it mean to get a point on my license? Getting points on your license will result in a suspension after twelve points have accumulated on your license within a twelve month period. Your license will be suspended for 30 days. If you get 18 points in 18 months, your license will be suspended for 3 months. If you get 24 points in 36 months, your license will be suspended for one year.
Point Values for Infractions:
Six Points for either of the following:
Four points for any of the following:
Three points for any of the following:
Points can be avoided all together by contacting an attorney to challenge the ticket. An experienced Tampa Traffic Attorney will be able to detail the process to you and explain to you your rights as they pertain to your case.
Driver’s Improvement Course
A Driver’s Improvement Course is a course that you may elect to take to get re-educated on traffic laws and techniques. You do need to let the Clerk of the Court know you are electing to take the course in writing within 30 days from the date of the citation. By electing this course, you can avoid some penalties. It is as simple as applying and taking an online course in some circumstances. There are several options simply by entering the words “Florida Driver Improvement Course” in an online search. You may only take driver’s school once a year and only five times in your lifetime. The bonuses to taking the Driver’s Improvement Course option include not having points assessed on your license, a decrease up to 18% of your fine/fee, and your insurance cannot raise your rates should you take and complete the course.
Common violations in Hillsborough County include unlawful speeding, failure to stop at a traffic light, no seat belt, insurance/registration violations, among others. More serious violations include DUI, Vehicular manslaughter, and driving with license suspended. These violations have higher penalties. A Hillsborough County Speeding Ticket Lawyer can handle all types of infractions and should be retained to assist you in determining what your violation is and how to best fight the violation.
Locations You Should Know About:
If you are looking to fight your ticket, the location you will visit is the courthouse at the location listed below:
Hillsborough County Courthouse
800 E. Twiggs Street
Tampa, FL
If you wish to fight your case, you should notify the Clerk of the Court at the address listed below within thirty (30) days from the date listed on your ticket:
Hillsborough County Clerk of Court
Traffic Division
419 Pierce Street, Room 107
Tampa, FL 33602
The Next Step
What should you do now? You should contact an attorney to learn about the nature of the violation. He/she can give you an idea of how the court may rule and what penalties you may be facing. An experienced Hillsborough County Traffic Lawyer can give you an even better idea of the trends in the local court proceedings and the likelihood of your case coming out favorably. Contact a Tampa Traffic Attorney as soon as possible to make sure that they have the most time possible to prepare and explain to you your rights before thirty days pass after your citation.
