Traffic Infraction Lawyers in St. Petersburg, Florida

You have 30 days from the date on your traffic ticket to respond, and what you do in that window determines what happens next. While most drivers pay tickets thinking it’s the easiest option, they then spend the next three to five years paying the real cost through premium increases that dwarf the original fine.

A traffic infraction lawyer in St. Petersburg protects your license by contesting citations before points are assessed, insurance companies are notified, and suspension threats begin. Lopez Law Group defends drivers against traffic infractions in St. Petersburg and throughout Pinellas County. Our attorneys contest speeding tickets, red-light violations, failure-to-yield charges, school zone citations, and moving violations that threaten your license and livelihood.

Call (727) 933-0015 to discuss your ticket and explore defense options. Consultation fees apply for traffic matters.

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Table of Contents

• Key Takeaways for Traffic Infractions in St. Petersburg
• Why Choose Lopez Law Group for Traffic Ticket Defense in St. Petersburg
• Florida’s Point System and License Suspensions
• Civil Infractions vs. Criminal Traffic Charges
• What Happens at a Pinellas County Traffic Court Hearing
• What to Do After Receiving a Traffic Ticket in St. Petersburg
• FAQ for Traffic Infractions in St. Petersburg
• Received a Traffic Ticket in St. Petersburg? Act Within 30 Days

Key Takeaways for Traffic Infractions in St. Petersburg

• Florida’s point system administered by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles adds points to your license for moving violations
• Most speeding tickets carry 3 points, though speeds 15+ mph over the limit can increase to 4 points, and each point accumulation raises insurance premiums that compound over three to five years
• Withhold of adjudication prevents points from being assessed even when you pay fines or complete traffic school, protecting your driving record and insurance rates if judges grant the withhold
• CDL holders face federal disqualification rules stricter than Florida’s point system, making even minor tickets career-threatening for commercial drivers who transport passengers or freight
• Attorneys can appear at Pinellas County traffic court hearings on your behalf in most non-criminal infractions, allowing you to avoid missing work or sitting through court sessions

Why Choose Lopez Law Group for Traffic Ticket Defense in St. Petersburg

Traffic infractions may seem minor until points accumulate, insurance rates increase, and suspension notices are issued. Lopez Law Group defends drivers in Pinellas County traffic courts, protecting licenses and minimizing the financial impact of citations.

What are the benefits of working with our traffic infraction attorney?

• We appear regularly in Pinellas County traffic court before judges who hear thousands of traffic cases, understanding which violations prosecutors reduce, which defenses work in local courtrooms, and how to present mitigation evidence that convinces judges to grant withholds
• We contest radar and laser speed measurements by examining calibration records, officer training certifications, and weather conditions that affect accuracy, challenging the evidence prosecutors rely on to prove speeding violations
• We negotiate with prosecutors to reduce moving violations to non-moving infractions like faulty equipment citations that carry fines but no points, preserving clean driving records
• We handle red-light camera tickets by reviewing video footage for technical defects, contesting unclear intersections, and pursuing dismissals when proper notice wasn’t provided
• We appear in court on your behalf in most civil infraction cases, eliminating the need to miss work, arrange childcare, or spend hours at the courthouse waiting for your case to be called

Call (727) 933-0015 to discuss your traffic ticket and defense strategy. Consultation fees apply for traffic matters.

Florida’s Point System and License Suspensions

Florida Statutes § 322.27 establishes the point system that tracks moving violations and triggers administrative license suspensions when drivers accumulate too many points within specified timeframes.

Common Violations and Point Values

Different violations are assigned different point values.

License Suspension Thresholds

Licenses are suspended once a certain number of points are accumulated in a specific time span.

Points remain on your driving record for three to five years depending on the violation type, continuing to affect insurance rates even after suspension periods end.

Insurance Rate Impact

Insurance companies review driving records during policy renewals and adjust premiums based on accumulated points. Multiple tickets compound increases, with some insurers canceling policies entirely after the second or third violations.

Special Rules for CDL Holders

Commercial driver’s license holders face federal disqualification rules under 49 CFR Part 383 that are stricter than Florida’s point system. CDL drivers receive disqualifications for:

• Any speeding violation 15+ mph over the limit
• Reckless driving
• Improper lane changes
• Following too closely
• Texting while driving

Two serious violations within a three-year period result in a 60-day CDL disqualification. Three serious violations trigger a 120-day disqualification. Single violations for hazardous materials carriers or passenger transport drivers carry enhanced penalties.

CDL holders cannot mask violations through traffic school or withhold adjudication. All tickets must be reported to employers and appear on FMCSA records, making legal defense critical for career protection.

Civil Infractions vs. Criminal Traffic Charges

Florida distinguishes between civil traffic infractions and criminal traffic offenses, with different procedures, penalties, and long-term consequences.

Civil Traffic Infractions

Most traffic tickets are civil infractions processed through county court traffic divisions. Civil infractions include speeding, red-light violations, failure to yield, improper lane changes, and similar moving violations. Penalties include:

• Fines typically range from $100-$500, depending on the violation type and the county
• Court costs added to base fines
• Points assessed to driving records
• Potential traffic school requirements

Civil infractions do not create criminal records, do not result in arrest warrants for non-payment, and generally do not require fingerprinting or mugshots.

Criminal Traffic Offenses

Certain traffic violations constitute criminal misdemeanors or felonies, requiring court proceedings in a criminal setting. Criminal traffic charges include:

• DUI (driving under the influence)
• Reckless driving, when charged criminally
• Driving while suspended or revoked
• Leaving the scene of a crash (hit and run)
• Fleeing or attempting to elude law enforcement
• Vehicular manslaughter or homicide

Criminal traffic charges can result in permanent criminal records, expose defendants to jail or prison time, and necessitate representation by experienced criminal defense attorneys. Free criminal defense consultations are available for these cases at Lopez Law Group.

What Happens at a Pinellas County Traffic Court Hearing

Traffic infractions proceed through Pinellas County Court traffic divisions with specific procedures and timelines.

Election Process

After receiving your ticket, you have 30 days to elect one of three options:

• Pay the fine: Admits guilt, assesses full points, closes the case
• Elect traffic school: Available once per year for eligible violations, prevents points through school completion
• Request a hearing: Contests the ticket, requires a court appearance

Failing to meet the 30-day deadline results in automatic license suspension until the ticket is resolved.

Arraignment and Plea

If you elect a hearing, the court schedules an arraignment where you enter a plea:

• Guilty: You accept the violation, pay fines, and receive points
• No contest: Same consequences as guilty, but cannot be used against you in civil lawsuits
• Not guilty: Requests a trial, continues the case for evidence presentation

Arraignments in Pinellas County traffic court are typically informal proceedings where attorneys negotiate with prosecutors before entering pleas.

Trial Procedures

If your case proceeds to trial:

1. The citing officer testifies about the violation, presenting radar readings, dash camera footage, or observations
2. Your attorney cross-examines the officer, challenging calibration records, training certifications, proper procedures, and observation accuracy
3. You may testify, explaining the circumstances, though testimony is optional
4. Your attorney presents evidence, including calibration challenges, necessity defenses, or mitigation factors
5. The judge rules guilty or not guilty based on the preponderance of the evidence

Officers not appearing at trial results in automatic dismissal, though prosecutors often request continuances when officers have legitimate conflicts.

Withhold of Adjudication Motions

Even when evidence supports guilt, attorneys can request a withhold of adjudication. This is a legal mechanism where judges withhold a finding of guilt despite accepting your plea or finding sufficient evidence. Withholds prevent points from being assessed while requiring you to pay fines.

Florida law allows one to withhold every 12 months for most infractions, though judges have discretion to grant or deny withholds. Demonstrating good driving history, presenting necessity defenses, and showing hardship from point assessment strengthen withhold requests.

What to Do After Receiving a Traffic Ticket in St. Petersburg

You already have the ticket in hand, and now you’re deciding how to respond. The choices you make in the next few days determine whether you pay a small fine now and large insurance increases for years, or contest the citation and protect your driving record. Most drivers make costly mistakes by acting too quickly or waiting too long.

Check Your Response Deadline

Your traffic citation shows the date you must respond, usually 30 days from the citation date. Missing this deadline triggers automatic license suspension regardless of the violation severity.

Mark the deadline on your calendar and contact an attorney well before it arrives. Last-minute responses limit defense options and prevent thorough case preparation.

Do Not Pay the Ticket Immediately

Paying the fine is a guilty plea that assesses full points to your license and notifies your insurance company. Once you pay, the case closes and cannot be reopened.

Even if you believe you were guilty, attorneys can often negotiate better outcomes than simply paying.

Preserve Evidence and Document Details

While details are fresh, write down:

• Exact location and time of the stop
• Weather and traffic conditions
• Posted speed limit and your actual speed (if speeding citation)
• Reason the officer gave for the stop
• Anything unusual about the stop or citation process
• Names and contact information for any passengers or witnesses

If you have dash camera footage, GPS data, or phone records showing your location and speed, save these files immediately. This evidence becomes critical if you contest the ticket.

Avoid Discussing the Ticket Publicly

Do not post about your ticket on social media, discuss it with coworkers, or make statements about what happened. Prosecutors can subpoena social media posts, and statements you make can be used against you at hearings. Limit discussions to your attorney.

Review Your Driving Record

Check your Florida driving record at flhsmv.gov to see current points and prior violations. If you’re approaching suspension thresholds, this ticket becomes far more serious.

Contact an Attorney Before Making Elections

You must choose between paying the fine, electing traffic school, or requesting a hearing. These elections have different consequences for your record, insurance, and future violations.

Attorneys evaluate which option provides a favorable outcome based on the specific violation, your driving history, and local court practices. Making the wrong election closes off better options permanently.

Don’t Wait to See What Happens

Traffic tickets don’t improve with time. Officers don’t forget to file paperwork. Courts don’t dismiss tickets automatically. The 30-day response window passes whether you act or not, and missed deadlines create problems that cost far more to fix than handling tickets properly from the start.

Call (727) 933-0015 to discuss your traffic citation and response strategy. Early consultation provides the most defense options and the greatest chances of protecting your driving record.

FAQ for Traffic Infractions in St. Petersburg

Can a Lawyer Get My Ticket Dismissed or Keep Points off My License?

Outcomes depend on evidence, officer testimony, and your driving history. Attorneys pursue dismissals when officers don’t appear, radar calibration is defective, or procedural errors occurred. When dismissals aren’t possible, attorneys negotiate reductions to non-moving violations or seek withholds of adjudication that prevent point assessment.

Should I Elect Traffic School or Fight the Ticket?

Traffic school is available once per year for eligible violations and can prevent points through completion of the program. However, school still requires paying fines and court costs, and the ticket remains on your record, visible to insurers. Fighting tickets with the assistance of an attorney may yield better outcomes in certain situations.

What if I Missed My Traffic Court Date or the Deadline to Respond?

Missing deadlines results in automatic license suspension until you resolve the ticket. Attorneys can file motions to reinstate licenses and reschedule hearings by showing good cause for missing deadlines. The sooner you address missed deadlines, the easier restoration becomes.

Will a Lawyer Appear in Court for Me?

Yes, in most civil traffic infractions, attorneys can appear on your behalf without you being present. You sign a waiver of appearance allowing your attorney to represent your interests at arraignment and trial. Some violations and criminal charges require your personal appearance, which your attorney will explain during consultations.

How Do Out-of-State Drivers Handle Florida Traffic Tickets?

Out-of-state drivers must respond to Florida tickets within 30 days or face a Florida license suspension that gets reported to home states through interstate compacts. Many states assess home-state points for out-of-state violations. Hiring Florida attorneys allows out-of-state drivers to resolve tickets without traveling back for court appearances.

Received a Traffic Ticket in St. Petersburg? Act Within 30 Days

SeanCarlo Lopez, Traffic Infraction Lawyers in St. Petersburg

Florida gives drivers 30 days from the citation date to respond—pay, elect traffic school, or request a hearing. Missing the deadline triggers automatic license suspension and compounds problems that attorneys can otherwise resolve quickly. Every day you wait reduces defense options and increases suspension risk.

Lopez Law Group provides trusted defense for traffic infractions in St. Petersburg and throughout Pinellas County. We contest speeding tickets, red-light violations, careless driving charges, and moving violations that threaten your license and insurance rates. Our attorneys pursue dismissals, reductions, withholds of adjudication, and traffic school elections that protect your driving record and financial future. We appear in court on your behalf in most civil infractions, handling the legal process while you focus on work and family.

Don’t let a traffic ticket derail your finances or jeopardize your license. Call Lopez Law Group at (727) 933-0015 within 30 days of receiving your citation to discuss defense strategies and protect your driving privileges. Consultation fees apply for traffic matters.

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