The Florida statute of limitations is a law that sets time limits on how long a prosecutor has to file charges against a suspect. However, once you have been issued with a traffic ticket, the statute of limitations stops. Therefore, traffic tickets are not affected by a statute of limitations. This means that unpaid fines and tickets will not go away, and you will either need to pay the fine or contest the charges with the help of a qualified lawyer.

If you have been ticketed for a moving violation in Florida and do not know what you should do next, The Ticket Lawyers can help. We can give you fair and honest information during a free consultation, and if you decide to contest your traffic ticket, we can put forward a comprehensive defense in court.

We deal with traffic infractions every day, so call us today at (866)-985-7740 for free legal advice. Our phone lines are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

What Happens When You Get a Ticket in Florida?

When you are issued a ticket for any moving violation, you will be asked by the police officer to sign it. This signature confirms that you have acknowledged the citation and you have been officially charged with the offense. Once this has been done, a statute of limitations will no longer apply. From this point on, if your fine goes unpaid and the matter is not settled, the charge is still due, and it does not go away. You could even be charged with a new offense for failing to pay and face new charges for this additional offense, such as the suspension of your driver’s license.

Is It Possible to Contest Traffic Tickets?

Signing your ticket does not mean that you are admitting your guilt, so we always advise that you comply with this request – but paying your fine does. An admission of guilt can mean points on your license and increased insurance premiums. However, it is never a good idea to ignore the ticket as you could risk having your driver’s license suspended. You have 30 days to respond to the citation, and you can confirm that you wish to contest the charges – an experienced traffic ticket lawyer from our law firm can help you do this.

If you are unsure if you have grounds for dismissal, we can review your case during a free consultation, so call us today to speak with an experienced attorney.

Right to a Speedy Trial in the State of Florida

Even though a statute of limitations does not apply to traffic infractions, you do have the right to a speedy trial according to the Florida speedy trial rule in The Sixth Amendment of the United States Constitution.

Therefore, if you contest your traffic citation and your case is not brought to trial within 180 days, you are entitled to a dismissal. Call us now for more information.

 Defenses Available to Me

Defenses will be based on the type of infraction you picked up, and in the case of a speeding ticket, the method that was used to calculate your speed. For example, if you were ticketed for traveling over the posted speed limit, your defense lawyer will consider whether the device that was used was operated by a trained officer and whether it had been properly calibrated and maintained.

Statute of Limitations in Criminal Cases

If you are facing criminal charges following an arrest for a traffic infraction, such as driving under the influence, a statute of limitations will apply. The time limit for all criminal cases can be found under Florida Statute 775.15. 

The time limit will be based on how your offense is classified, for example:

• Felonies – For felony crimes resulting in the death of another person, there is no time limit. For other felonies, the time limit is 3 or 4 years, depending on whether it is classed as a first, second, or third-degree felony.
• Misdemeanors – The time limit for a first-degree misdemeanor is 2 years and the time limit for a second-degree misdemeanor is 1 year. An example of a second-degree misdemeanor is a DUI.

Statute of Limitations in Civil Cases

If the incident that resulted in your ticket involved another person, there is always a chance that they will file a civil lawsuit against you in a Florida small claims court. In this case, a statute of limitations does apply to ensure that the case is settled within a reasonable amount of time. Again, the time limit will depend on the nature of the claims that are being made against you and some other factors, but in general:

• A personal injury lawsuit – 4 years.
• Wrongful death – 2 years.

If you are facing a civil lawsuit, it is important that you consult with a qualified lawyer as soon as possible for free legal advice.

Call The Ticket Lawyers Today

The laws in Florida regarding traffic tickets and their time limits can be difficult for most drivers to comprehend. This is why it is so important for you to bring your case to the attention of a qualified traffic ticket attorney as soon as possible, so you know what steps to take next.

Too many drivers choose to pay their criminal traffic ticket straight away without considering the long-term implications of having points added to their driving license. It is in your best interest to fight to have your ticket reduced or dismissed in a Florida court.

Furthermore, we understand that most drivers do not have the time to handle a traffic infraction, especially if they picked one up driving through another state, and this is where our law firm can step in. We can handle everything from our end for your convenience and even appear in court on your behalf and provide an attorney-client relationship that is based on trust.

For more information, call us now at (866)-985-7740 for a free consultation.