1. I got a traffic ticket in Sarasota and/or Manatee County. What can a lawyer do for me?
3. Will I have to go to court if I hire an attorney?
4. Does the fee I pay the lawyer satisfy any of the payments required on the citation?
5. How long will I have to pay any fine or court costs, and where do I pay it?
6. Should I pay the fine indicated on the ticket if I hire an attorney?
7. After I hire a lawyer, how long will it take to finish the case?
8. After I receive a ticket, how long do I have to pay it if I do not hire a lawyer?
9. Can the Court suspend my license on a regular civil (non-criminal) traffic citation?
10. How many points can I get before my license is suspended?
11. Can I get a license in Florida if my license is suspended in another state?
1. I got a traffic ticket in Sarasota and/or Manatee County. What can a lawyer do for me?
A lawyer can help you limit the negative consequences that a ticket imposes, including avoiding points so your insurance is not increased, avoid you having to attend driving school and avoid any possible suspension on your driver's license. Also, if a legal challenge to the ticket exists, a lawyer could have your ticket dismissed.
2. This is my first traffic ticket in Sarasota and/or Manatee County. Should I elect driving school to avoid the points or hire a lawyer to have a hearing?
Driving School can only be elected once per year and only 5 times in a lifetime. If you hire a lawyer and the ticket is not dismissed at the hearing, the Court may order driving school in addition to a fine and court costs. However, it will not count as any of your lifetime elections. Consequently, if driving school is required by the Court, you can attend without using any of the 5 lifetime elections.
3. Will I have to go to court if I hire an attorney?
No. Once you hire an attorney on a civil traffic infraction, you are no longer required to appear in court in either Sarasota or Manatee County. The attorney will appear on your behalf. However, our office will send you notice of any hearing date, and if you wish to appear, you may at your own election.
4. Does the fee I pay the lawyer satisfy any of the payments required on the citation?
No. The fee paid to our firm is solely the fee to represent you on the ticket. In the event your ticket is not dismissed, the Court may assess a fine and court costs at the hearing. If your ticket is dismissed, no other costs will be incurred.
5. How long will I have to pay any fine or court costs, and where do I pay it?
If your ticket is not dismissed and a fine and/or court costs are assessed, my firm will send you a letter with instructions on how, when and where to make any payment. In Manatee and Sarasota counties, the Court usually gives 60 days from the date of the hearing to pay the fine and costs.
6. Should I pay the fine indicated on the ticket if I hire an attorney?
No. Once my office is retained you will not pay a fine unless ordered by the court at the hearing on your ticket. In that case, we will notify you after the hearing regarding the amount to be paid, and where and when to pay it (payment will be made either at the Sarasota or Manatee Clerk of the Court).
7. After I hire a lawyer, how long will it take to finish the case?
Although times may vary depending upon when the clerk's office schedules your case for hearing, it generally takes about 3 to 6 months to resolve a traffic ticket in Sarasota and Manatee counties.
8. After I receive a ticket, how long do I have to pay it if I do not hire a lawyer?
On a civil traffic infraction, you have thirty (30) days to either plead not guilty, request a hearing, or pay the ticket. Otherwise, the ticket will be late and the court will impose a late fee. Moreover, the Court will suspend your license. In that case, you will have to pay another fee to have your license re-instated. You will have to check with your county clerk's office to determine how they handle payment of late tickets and fees for re-instatement of your driver's license as each county may have different rules.
9. Can the Court suspend my license on a regular civil (non-criminal) traffic citation?
Yes. The Court is authorized by statute to impose a maximum fine of $500.00 and may suspend a driver's license on any moving violation.
10. How many points can I get before my license is suspended?
If you receive twelve (12) points in a twelve (12) month period, your license will be suspended for thirty (30) days. If you receive eighteen points (18) points in an eighteen (18) month period, your license will be suspended for three (3) months. If you receive twenty-four (24) points in a thirty-six (36) month period, your license will be suspended for one (1) year.
11. How many points can I get before my license is suspended?
If you receive twelve (12) points in a twelve (12) month period, your license will be suspended for thirty (30) days. If you receive eighteen points (18) points in an eighteen (18) month period, your license will be suspended for three (3) months. If you receive twenty-four (24) points in a thirty-six (36) month period, your license will be suspended for one (1) year.
12. How many points can I get before my license is suspended?
If you receive twelve (12) points in a twelve (12) month period, your license will be suspended for thirty (30) days. If you receive eighteen points (18) points in an eighteen (18) month period, your license will be suspended for three (3) months. If you receive twenty-four (24) points in a thirty-six (36) month period, your license will be suspended for one (1) year.
13. How many points can I get before my license is suspended?
If you receive twelve (12) points in a twelve (12) month period, your license will be suspended for thirty (30) days. If you receive eighteen points (18) points in an eighteen (18) month period, your license will be suspended for three (3) months. If you receive twenty-four (24) points in a thirty-six (36) month period, your license will be suspended for one (1) year.
14. How many points can I get before my license is suspended?
If you receive twelve (12) points in a twelve (12) month period, your license will be suspended for thirty (30) days. If you receive eighteen points (18) points in an eighteen (18) month period, your license will be suspended for three (3) months. If you receive twenty-four (24) points in a thirty-six (36) month period, your license will be suspended for one (1) year.
available 24/7 | se HABLA ESPAñOL
