In many cases, drivers in Florida receive the "habitual traffic offender" label when they had no idea it was happening. The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) — not a judge or jury — has the authority to label someone a habitual traffic offender. People can be labeled habitual traffic offenders without any prior criminal history, by accruing too many driver's license points, too many prior driving with a suspended license or other violations, without knowing that the habitual traffic offender label would be the result.
The best thing to do if you are facing multiple traffic offenses is to contact an experienced criminal defense attorney team. As Orlando habitual traffic offender attorneys, we have focused our legal careers on criminal justice matters. We are both former prosecutors who decided to defend people charged with crimes. At Moses & Rooth, Attorneys at Law, we provide our central Florida clients with convenient, cost-effective representation for traffic violations.
The legal penalties can be quite severe for habitual traffic offenders, including loss of driving privileges for five years. Let us help you fight these charges so that you can get back to your life with minimal interruption.
Habitual Traffic Offender
To be deemed a habitual traffic offender, you need to have either 15 traffic convictions that have point penalties or three convictions of any one or more criminal offenses:
- Driving under the influence
- Voluntary or involuntary manslaughter resulting from motor vehicle operation
- Any felony in which a motor vehicle was used
- Driving with a suspended or revoked license
- Driving a commercial vehicle while privileges are disqualified
- Failure to render aid in the event of a motor vehicle crash resulting in death or personal injury to another
If you are facing a charge, the conviction of which could have you deemed a habitual offender, we will fight to:
- Get the charges reduced: In some cases, we are able to negotiate with the prosecutor to reduce the charges and avoid the habitual traffic offender designation.
- Minimize the sentence: We understand there are collateral consequences to some traffic offenses. Our experienced traffic attorneys will assist in obtaining a Florida driver's license and advise you as to how to avoid a habitual traffic offender designation.
- Obtain a hardship license: In some instances, we are able to obtain a hardship license.
- Remove your HTO status: We will thoroughly review your Florida driving record and discuss possible ways to have the habitual traffic offender status removed.
Contact a Winter Park Traffic Offender Defense Attorney ∙ 407-377-0150
Call 407-377-0150 or contact us online to schedule a free initial consultation with a lawyer from Moses & Rooth.
