Criminal Traffic Attorney in Brooksville, FL
Traffic violations may seem less serious than other offenses, but many of them are criminal offenses, carrying the possibility of jail or prison time. Even offenses like reckless driving or drag racing can result in months or up to a year in jail and hundreds of dollars in fines. If you are charged with a criminal traffic offense, you need a dedicated Brooksville criminal traffic lawyer to help you craft a strong defense.
At Caporicci & Tinari Law, PLLC, our team works to help you limit the consequences of a criminal offense and potentially avoid conviction.
Why Should You Choose Caporicci & Tinari Law, PLLC?
Criminal traffic violations can be misdemeanor or felony offenses. When you have been charged with these offenses, Caporicci & Tinari Law, PLLC, brings you dedicated and unparalleled legal representation. These violations can threaten your freedom, your finances, and your driving privileges. At our firm, we fight to help reduce or eliminate the charges you face. We walk you through the case against you and ensure you understand the possible outcomes.
Our firm is uniquely qualified to help you for several reasons, including:
- Our years of experience in the criminal justice system, both as criminal defense and prosecution
- Experience with the methods and tactics of local law enforcement
- Our commitment to our Brooksville community means we are especially dedicated to defending your rights and interests and securing justice.
- We have an in-depth understanding of the evidence that the prosecution needs to meet the burden of proof, as well as the tactics they use.
Our knowledge and connections help us build strong defenses in criminal cases. Your interests are the priority of every case, and we ensure you have the necessary support throughout each step of your criminal traffic case.
What Are Criminal Traffic Violations in Hernando County?
Many traffic violations are infractions and noncriminal violations. These only result in a fine if they are not challenged. However, many traffic violations are criminal violations, and many individuals are not aware of which traffic offenses can result in jail time.
In Hernando County, there were 1,948 criminal traffic violations reported in 2024 to the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), as well as 11,332 noncriminal moving violations. It’s crucial that you work with a skilled legal team to protect yourself after a criminal traffic violation. Some common violations include:
- Reckless driving. This is the offense of driving a vehicle with purposeful disregard for the well-being and safety of other people or property. Reckless driving may also be a lessor included offense of fleeing from a law enforcement officer in a vehicle. In Hernando County, 48 reckless driving offenses were reported. The penalties for reckless driving are especially harsh when there is damage to another person or their property, and even worse if someone suffers serious bodily injury.
- Driving on a revoked or suspended license. Your driver’s license can be revoked or suspended when you are arrested or convicted of certain offenses, or if you gather enough points on your license for violations. If you operate your vehicle with a suspended license, you could face additional penalties. There were 817 cases of someone driving on a revoked or suspended license in the county. Some offenses for driving on a suspended license are noncriminal violations, while others are criminal offenses.
- Driving without a license, or with an improper or expired license. All drivers on state highways are required to carry a valid driver’s license. There were 284 cases reported of someone driving with an improper license, an expired license, or no license at all in Hernando County.
- Leaving the scene of an accident, or a hit-and-run.
Drivers are required to report any accident they are involved in that results in injury or death to someone, or which causes $500 or more in property damage.
It is a noncriminal violation to fail to report the accident to the local law enforcement, such as the Florida Highway Patrol, the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office, or the Brooksville Police Department. However, failing to render aid and provide contact information to another driver when injury, death, or damage occurs is a criminal violation. This is the offense of a hit-and-run. The FLHSMV reported 111 criminal offenses of someone leaving the scene of an accident in the county.
- Street racing. This offense occurs when two or more vehicles race side by side. Street racing is a criminal violation, and repeat offenses carry much harsher penalties. There were seven offenses of racing on the highway in the county in 2024.
- DUI. Driving under the influence (DUI) offenses are charged when you are in control of a vehicle and you have consumed over the legal limit of alcohol, or your faculties are impaired by drugs or alcohol. There were 354 DUI cases reported to the FLHSMV in Hernando County. These offenses are always criminal violations.
When you are charged with a criminal traffic violation, you need to assert your right to remain silent and your right to an attorney. Even if you think the violation was charged in error, you need legal defense to protect your rights and your future. Law enforcement and prosecutors will use what they can against you. The right attorney can help you reduce the penalties you face or argue against the charges.
What Are the Possible Penalties for Criminal Traffic Violations?
The consequences of criminal traffic violations can be significant, ranging from misdemeanors to felonies. These offenses can carry the following sentences and penalties:
- Reckless driving as a first offense carries penalties of up to 90 days imprisonment and fines between $25 and $500. A second offense results in up to six months of imprisonment and a fine between $50 and $1,000. When reckless driving causes damage to property or a person, it is a first-degree misdemeanor. If it causes serious bodily injury, it is a third-degree felony.
- Driving on a revoked or suspended license, when it is a criminal violation, is a second-degree misdemeanor. Subsequent violations are first-degree misdemeanors. However, if there is a third or subsequent violation and the license was revoked due to a DUI or other serious offense, it is a third-degree felony.
- Driving without a license or with an expired or improper license is a second-degree misdemeanor. A second, third, or subsequent conviction is a first-degree misdemeanor.
- Leaving the scene of an accident or a hit-and-run when it is a criminal violation is a third-degree felony. If the accident resulted in serious bodily injury, it is a second-degree felony. If the hit-and-run resulted in death, it is charged as a first-degree felony.
- Street racing can be charged as a first-degree misdemeanor for a first offense. It is a third-degree felony for a second offense within a year, and a second-degree felony for a third or subsequent offense within five years. Penalties are worse if drag racing purposefully interferes with an emergency vehicle.
- DUI first offense results in between $500 and $1,000 in fines and up to six months of imprisonment. For a second offense, penalties include fines between $1,000 and $2,000, up to nine months of imprisonment, and an ignition interlock device for at least a year.
Penalties for these misdemeanor and felony offenses include:
- Second-degree misdemeanor. This can result in fines of up to $500 and up to 60 days of imprisonment.
- First-degree misdemeanor. The basic penalties of this misdemeanor can result in a fine of up to $1,000 and imprisonment for up to a year. Some offenses have additional penalties. Drag racing carries greater fines of between $500 and $2,000, as well as the revocation of a driver’s license for one year. A third or subsequent offense of driving without a valid license or driving on a revoked license requires a mandatory minimum sentence of ten days in jail.
- Third-degree felony. Conviction results in fines up to $5,000 and imprisonment up to five years. For a second violation of drag racing, this felony has much higher fines of between $2,500 and $4,000, as well as license revocation for two years.
- Second-degree felony. The basic penalties for this offense include fines up to $10,000 and imprisonment for up to 15 years. In a third offense for drag racing, the minimum fine is $3,500 up to $7,500, and a driver’s license can be revoked for four years.
- First-degree felony. The penalties for this offense can lead to fines of up to $10,000 and up to 30 years of imprisonment. For a hit-and-run causing death, or a DUI hit-and-run causing death, there is also a mandatory minimum sentence of four years.
There are several other consequences from criminal traffic violations, such as alternative sentencing, like community service. Other offenses besides a DUI or drag racing can also result in the suspension of your license, especially if you already have points on your license. You also face the long-term consequences of higher insurance rates and a permanent criminal record. It is crucial that you work with an attorney to mitigate these consequences.
Hire a Criminal Traffic Lawyer to Protect Your Future in Brooksville
Criminal traffic violations can have a significant effect on your life, just like any criminal charge. It is crucial that you protect your future with an exceptional criminal defense. Just because you have been charged with a traffic offense, a conviction is not certain.
With the help of the team at Caporicci & Tinari Law, PLLC, you may be able to challenge the charges, avoid overly harsh sentencing, and potentially get the case against you dismissed. Contact our team today to schedule a consultation.
