Legal Question in Traffic Law in Florida

My eighteeen year old son received a traffic ticket for reckless driving. There is no fine associated with this violation, simply a court date. Does this mean when he appears for his court date the judge will issue a fine and/or other penalties based on testamony by the officer who issed the ticket and my son? What is the best and worst case scenario for this type of moving violation? My son's driving record since he received his driver's license on his sixteen birthday includes one accident which he was deemed at fault and one speeding ticket. The accident was over 2 1/2 years ago and the speeding ticket approximately four months ago. Additionally, he received the ticket for running a red right due to his brakes failing to work properly but did not disclose this to the officer when he was stopped.


Asked on 1/13/12, 10:50 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Craig Epifanio Craig Epifanio, P.A.

First, let me explain what is not going to happen. The officer will not be present for the first hearing as that is just an arraignment for him to plea guilty or not guilty. Now, the reason he has a court date is that this is more than just a "traffic ticket." It is a criminal offense, punishable by up to 90 days in jail. A reckless driving conviction would mean that he would be forever foreclosed from getting any charge sealed or expunged from his record. Also, he could be facing up to 6 months probation and a $500 fine. It goes without saying that he needs an attorney to help him fight this. He is only 18 and he doesn't need to start life with a criminal record. Those tickets that he has received over the past couple years will show up on his record even if he didn't disclose it, and the state attorney will be using that against him. Feel free to contact me at my website below as I practice in your area.

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Answered on 1/13/12, 1:25 pm


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