Santa Rosa County Speeding Ticket for Driving Thirty Miles or More Above the Speed Limit

So, you received a speeding ticket for driving thirty miles or more over the posted speed limit in Santa Rosa County, and are wondering how you should handle the situation in order to avoid long-term repercussions? An attorney from The Law Place can help. We have helped scores of drivers just like you who have been forced to deal with speeding tickets, and we can explore every avenue in order to ensure you obtain the very best outcome for your ticket. You are hardly alone as far as those in Santa Rosa County are concerned: In 2013, 194 tickets were given in Santa Rosa County for the offense of driving thirty miles or more over the posted speed limit. In 2014, that number rose to 214, and in 2015, it was 202. Other things you should know:

• A court appearance is mandatory for any speeding ticket of thirty miles or more over the posted speed limit.
• Rather than appear in court on your own, you can have an attorney appear on your behalf—particularly beneficial if you don’t live in the state and would be forced to return to Florida to fight your ticket.
• Your fine could vary from $276 to $500 for traveling thirty miles or more over the posted speed limit, depending on the judge, who will determine your fine based on your prior driving history, the circumstances surrounding this ticket and input from the police officer.
• If you were driving fifty or more miles above the posted speed limit, you will pay a minimum fine of $1,000.
• Your fine will be doubled if you were driving through a school zone or through a construction zone.
• If you have a motorcycle endorsement, you could lose this endorsement if found guilty of the crime of traveling thirty miles or more over the posted speed limit.
• You will receive four points on your driving record if found guilty of the offense of driving thirty miles or more over the posted speed limit.
• If an accident occurred as a result of your speeding, you will receive six points.
• Your speed may have been measured using pace clock, radar or laser—all of which have specific flaws which can allow your attorney to challenge the speed.
• In some cases, an officer will amend your speed to twenty-nine miles over the posted speed limit, which will significantly help the outcome of your case.
• Even if the points added to your driving record do not trigger a suspension of your license, in cases of driving thirty miles or more over the posted speed limit, the judge can choose to suspend your license.
• Your attorney will want to ensure that the original ticket, filed with the clerk of the court, has your signature as well as the signature of the police officer on it.
• If your attorney can convince the judge to withhold adjudication, then you will have on points placed on your license, so long as you receive no additional traffic citations for a specified time.

Florida Statutes Governing Your Speeding Ticket

Your ticket was issued under Florida statutes 316.183, 316.187 and/or 316.189. Under statute 316.183, no matter the posted speed limit, you must drive in a reasonable manner when weather, traffic or road conditions are less than optimal. School buses are never allowed to exceed the posted speed limit. Drivers must adjust their speed accordingly when crossing a railroad crossing, going through an intersection, approaching a hill, going around a curve or traveling on a narrow, winding road. Drivers must reduce their speed during inclement weather, or any time a hazard exists to pedestrians or other drivers.

Defenses Used in Your Case

Although your specific defense will be tailored to the facts of your case, there are a number of defenses your attorney may use, including the following:

• Actual innocence—you were not speeding;
• You were speeding, however road, traffic and weather conditions supported your speed (unlikely to work in cases of speeds thirty and above the posted speed limit);
• You had a true emergency;
• The radar detection unit picked up a vehicle other than yours;
• The laser or radar was not properly calibrated;
• The laser or radar was not properly maintained;
• There were metal traffic signs, utility signs or nearby power stations which interfered with the laser or radar readout;
• The officer was not properly trained to use the speed detection device, or
• The officer was not certified to use the speed detection device.

Getting Help from The Law Place

Having an attorney from The Law Place by your side throughout the process can make a significant difference in the outcome of your speeding charges. Our attorneys have over thirty years’ combined experience in helping people in situations just like yours. The Law Place attorneys are highly skilled in negotiating the best outcome possible on your behalf, and understand just what is at stake.

Santa Rosa County
6865 Caroline Street
Milton, FL 32570
(850) 981-5554