Any traffic ticket should be taken seriously, but there is a category of motor vehicle offenses that is far more serious. If you have been charged with criminal reckless driving for speeding under a new Florida law, the Orlando traffic crime attorneys at The Alers Law Firm can help.
Florida recently passed a new law that criminalizes “super speeding.” Simply stated, if you are speeding past a certain point, it is entirely possible that you can go to jail if you are convicted. However, jail time is not an absolute certainty, so you should get legal help to work for the best possible outcome in your case.
If you have been charged with a criminal motor vehicle offense, schedule a free initial consultation with The Alers Law Firm by calling our criminal defense law firm at 407-930-4888. Our Florida criminal defense attorneys can get to the bottom of your case and protect your legal rights.
Florida Has a Tough New “Super Speeder” Law
States across the country are passing laws that criminalize excessive speeding, and Florida is no exception. Based on a new law that went into effect on July 1, there is even the potential to go to jail, depending on your speed and how far over the limit you have gone. Florida’s new super speeder law threatens drastic consequences for those who violate it.
Any type of conviction for speeding in Florida can result in the following:
- Fines
- Points on your license
- Increased insurance rates
- Potential loss of your license if you accumulate enough points within a period of time
When Do You Commit Super Speeding in Florida?
Due to a rise in deadly crashes in Florida that resulted from extreme speeding, the Florida legislature passed, and Governor DeSantis signed into law, House Bill 351. The new law means that there are criminal charges for two different types of excessive speed:
| Two Types of Excessive Speed | |
| Traveling at 100 miles per hour or more, regardless of the posted speed limit on the road | Driving at 50 miles per hour or more over the posted speed limit |
If you are pulled over and charged with dangerous excessive speeding, you are facing a possible arrest. It does not matter whether you have been convicted of dangerous excessive speeding before. You can even face a jail sentence on the first conviction.
Penalties for a Super Speeding Conviction
The penalties for a conviction on charges of dangerous excessive speeding are as follows:
- A first offense is charged as a second-degree misdemeanor. A conviction is penalized by up to thirty days in jail, and a fine of up to $500 dollars. You could receive up to eight points on your license for both a speeding and reckless driving conviction, meaning that your license could be suspended if you already have points.
- A second offense is treated even more harshly. It is punished by up to 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine. If you are convicted of two of these offenses within a five-year period, you face a mandatory driver’s license suspension for at least 180 days.
Why You Need a Lawyer for a Super Speeder Case
You should not make the mistake of assuming that a super speeder ticket is the same as any other motor vehicle citation you may get. In other cases, you may face penalties, but there is no potential of jail time. Here, depending on what the prosecutor seeks, and what the judge may sentence you to, you are facing the real prospect of prison time.
It is crucial that you hire a criminal defense attorney for your traffic case well in advance of the time where you may need to appear in court. This will give you a chance to either come up with applicable defenses that you can use, or for your lawyer to negotiate with the prosecutor.
You can use the following defenses to super speeder charges:
- The measurement of your speed was inaccurate, and you were not going as fast as the officer said
- There was an emergency or necessity that required that you travel that fast
- You were a victim of mistaken identity
- Law enforcement otherwise violated your rights at some point during the process
There is a chance that you may be able to avoid jail time or qualify for reduced charges. You stand the best chance of achieving the most favorable outcome when you hire a criminal defense lawyer for your case.
Contact a Florida Criminal Defense Law Firm Today
Do not try to defend yourself when you have been charged with a criminal motor vehicle offense. Schedule a free initial consultation with an experienced Florida criminal defense attorney at The Alers Law Firm to discuss your case. You can schedule time to speak to a lawyer by filling out an online contact form or by calling us today at (407) 930-4888.
Attorney Chavelys Y. Alers was born and raised in Puerto Rico. She specifically grew up in the towns of Vega Baja and Dorado. Attorney Alers is bilingual, as she is fluent in both English and Spanish. Two decades ago, Attorney Alers migrated from Puerto Rico to the mainland United States, Central Florida. Learn more here.
