Alachua County is located in the middle of the State of Florida. It is home to the state’s largest university—the University of Florida. The county is home to approximately 250,000 people and an every-changing student population. Much of the county’s activities and funding come from the local university. The county seat is Gainesville, where the college is located. Other cities in the county include Alachua, Archer, Gainesville, Hawthorne, High Springs, Newberry, Waldo, Micanopy, and LaCrosse. The county also has numerous springs, hiking trails, parks, and natural spots that are great to share in outdoor splendor.
With a public university keeping the college busy, there are many law enforcement agencies that patrol the local and state roadways. These law enforcement agencies are Alachua Police Department, Archer Police Department, Gainesville Police Department, Hawthorne Police Department, High Springs Police Department Newberry Police Department, Waldo Police Department, Micanopy Police Department, LaCrosse Police Department, Florida Highway Patrol and Alachua County Sheriff’s Office.
These police departments issue citations for criminal and civil infractions. Criminal citations include driving under the influence, driving with a suspended license, reckless driving, among other infractions. These infractions will require a mandatory hearing. These hearings are attended by the arresting or citation issuing police officer, the person who received the violation, any witnesses, and an Alachua County Traffic Attorney should you choose to hire one. A Gainesville Traffic lawyer can assist you by presenting defenses you may not have thought of, presenting all facts to the judge or magistrate, and educating you about the process itself. The penalties for criminal offenses are higher. For example, they include probation, jail time, fines/fees, points, among other penalties.
Civil citations include unlawful speed, failure to yield or stop at a traffic signal, careless driving, among other violations. These citations have three proper remedies. These remedies are 1) paying the fine or fee and accepting the points, 2) electing to take the Driver Improvement Course and having points kept off of your license or 3) choosing to plead not guilty and contest your ticket at a hearing. You can request a hearing in writing form the Clerk of the Court within thirty (30) days of the citation. The hearing will have the judge/magistrate, any witnesses, the citation issuing police officer, yourself, and your Gainesville Speeding Ticket Lawyer should you choose to hire one. The Clerk of the Court can be found at 201 East University Avenue, Gainesville, Florida. Your Gainesville Traffic Attorney can assist you in creating a case plan including defenses, educate you about your rights, and determine the outcomes that are likely in your case. Finally, should you elect to take the Driver Improvement Course you will need to alert the Clerk of the Court as well in writing within thirty (30) days. You must then complete the course within sixty (60) days of your election. There are further regulations and limitations on the course election. You may only take the course one time in a twelve (12) month period and you can only take the course five (5) times in the course of your lifetime. If you have taken the course already five (5) times you will have to accept the points on your record or attend the hearing to fight the citation.
The points assessed on your record can result in a license suspension and/or higher insurance premiums. If your insurance company has rendered you as a “high risk” driver, you may be required to carry an SR-22 insurance policy. SR-22 insurance premiums may be up to four (4) times as much as safe driver insurance. The points can also lead to your license being suspended for periods of time. Twelve (12) points accrued in one year can result in one month suspension. Eighteen (18) points in one year and a half can result in a three (3) month suspension. Twenty-four (24) points in three (3) years can result in a one year suspension. Hardship licenses may be available to you at a cost, but the limitations of the license include only being able to drive to and from work.
The points assessed on your record can result in a license suspension and/or higher insurance premiums. If your insurance company has rendered you as a “high risk” driver, you may be required to carry an SR-22 insurance policy. SR-22 insurance premiums may be up to four (4) times as much as safe driver insurance. The points can also lead to your license being suspended for periods of time. Twelve (12) points accrued in one year can result in one month suspension. Eighteen (18) points in one year and a half can result in a three (3) month suspension. Twenty-four (24) points in three (3) years can result in a one year suspension. Hardship licenses may be available to you at a cost, but the limitations of the license include only being able to drive to and from work.
The points are assessed according to the following schedule:
| VIOLATIONS | POINTS |
|---|---|
| Non-Moving Violations | 0 |
| Unlawful speed 15 miles per hour or less over the speed limit, littering, child restraint violations | 3 |
| Passing a stopped school bus, unlawful speed 16 miles per hour or over the speed limit | 4 |
| Leaving the scene of an accident with damage (<$50) or speeding resulting in a collision | 6 |
It is in your best interest to contact a Gainesville Speeding Ticket Lawyer as soon as possible to ensure that deadlines are not missed, that the appropriate actions are taken, and that ultimately your rights are protected. An Alachua County Traffic Attorney will ensure that your rights are protected by educating you about the process, shedding light on the substance of the law, determine the outcomes of your case, and communicate to you the best and most likely way to achieve your individual goals. Contact your local Gainesville Traffic Lawyer today and make sure you are on your way to a long life of driving, and driving without high insurance premiums!
