JACKSONVILLE TRAFFIC TICKET ATTORNEY KATE MESIC

Call (904) 388-4030 ext. 408 to speak directly with an attorney.

Did you get a speeding ticket or a careless driving?

If you got a traffic ticket in Duval, Clay or Nassau counties, and are convicted of it, you will receive points. Paying your ticket equals a conviction, and consequently points on your license. Our office handles all types of civil traffic infractions, and we can help you avoid the points that can raise your insurance rates or even lead to the suspension of your driver’s license. Most of the time, we can help you with your civil traffic ticket for less than $300.00. Call our office to speak with Jacksonville Traffic Ticket Lawyer. We help drivers get their driver’s licenses back and get back on the road. We understand how dependent we all are on cars, especially in Duval County.

We have handled hundreds of traffic ticket cases in Duval, Nassau and Clay counties. We are familiar with the system, the clerks, the hearing officers and judges. We can walk you through it, and help you minimize stress.

Got a ticket? We can help your fight it and avoid points. Don’t ignore your rights!

• Fault in an accident
• DUI
• Speeding Ticket
• Suspended or Revoked License (DWLS/DWLSR)
• No Valid Driver License
• Reckless Driving
• Careless Driving
• Tailgating or following too close Violation
• Driving without a license
• Racing on the Highway
• Improper U-Turn Ticket
• Running a Red Light
• Improper Passing
• Running a Stop Sign
• Wrong Way on a One-Way Street

Frequently Asked Questions:

What can I do if I get a traffic ticket in Duval County, Florida?
Call our traffic ticket lawyer for a free consultation on your case. We will evaluate your case to see if we can challenge the ticket, get it dismissed or avoid points on your record.

If I hire you, do I still have to go to court?
In most cases, you will not need to take any time out of your schedule, we can handle everything for you. A lot of times, our clients don’t even come to our office, everything is handled my email or phone, whichever is more convenient for them.

I need to check if my license is suspended
You can do that online, by going to

https://www6.hsmv.state.fl.us/DLCheck/main.jsp

Enter you driver license number, and it will tell you if it is suspended and what for. We can help you clear up the suspensions. Unfortunately, it is usually a bureaucratic maze.

How long do I have to elect school or schedule a hearing?
Usually the officer will put on the ticket 30 days, but it is not the case, you have 90 days to schedule your ticket for a hearing or elect school. This does not apply to all tickets. If you are not sure, please call our office to make sure you are compliant with the ticket, and your license does not get suspended.

When is court appearance be mandatory?
If you get cited for one of the below offenses, you will have to go to court. These are more serious traffic infractions, so before you go please call an experienced traffic attorney to evaluate your options. We can assist you in going to court, and most of the time you will not need to attend the hearing.

1. Leaving a child in an unattended vehicle

2. Accident involving a fatality

3. Accident involving a serious bodily injury

4. Speed 30+ MPH in excess of posted speed limits

When do I have to go to Traffic School?
Traffic school is mandatory if:

1. you passed a stopped school bus

2. Highway Racing

3. Highway Racing – Spectator

4. Reckless Driving

5. Your were at fault in an accident, someone went to the hospital OR within 2 years, you had 2 crashes with damage of more than $500.00.

6. Ran a red light.

Duval County Clerk of Courts website lists schools that you can attend online to satisfy this requirement. You can find them here. Most are inexpensive and on average cost $20.00 or so. You can take the class in the convenience of your home.

What is your fee to handle a speeding ticket case?
Our office typically charges under $295.00 to handle a hearing on your speeding ticket. This does not include trial.

What if I just pay the ticket?
By paying the ticket, you are admitting guilt, and you will get points on your Florida driving record.

What is traffic school?
These are classes that you can sometimes take to avoid getting points. Remember you can only do this 5 times in your lifetime, and only once a year. There are classes that are offered online. Duval County Clerk has a list of traffic schools, you can choose from.

What are the benefits of not getting point on my license?
Your insurance rates will not increase and your policy cannot be cancelled. Also, with too many points you can get your license suspended (see below), so this helps avoid a possible suspension.

After I pay my citation, can I elect to attend traffic school?
No. Once you pay the ticket, you are admitting guilt, and points will be assessed on your driver’s license, as applicable. If you want to elect traffic school, you must do so before you pay the ticket.

How many times can I elect to attend traffic school?
You can elect traffic school, to avoid points, five times in a lifetime, but only once in a 12-month period.

What are the consequences of points on my license?
If you accumulate:
12 points in 12 months: 30 days suspension
18 points in 18 months: 90 days suspension
24 points in 36 months(including points from a 12 point and/or 18 point suspension): 1 year suspension

What if I got a ticket outside of Florida, will points be assessed on my Florida driving license?
Unfortunately, the answer is yes, if the underlying violation is an offense that earns points in Florida, than you will get points in Florida.
For example, if you get a speeding ticket for going 14 miles over the speed limit in Virginia (or any other state) you will get 3 points on your Florida Driver’s License. Florida will treat your Virginia ticket as if it happened in Florida, even if the other state doesn’t assess points or assess a different number of points for that particular violation.

If I get at ticket out of state, can I elect driving school in Florida?
The answer is no. Florida does not allow drivers licensed in Florida to attend driving school on out-of-state tickets.

Can I get my license reinstated once all tickets and/or suspensions are cleared off?
Yes, once you have proof that all suspensions are lifted and all tickets are paid, you will be able to reinstate your license by paying a reinstatement fee of $47.50 to the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, at your local DMV office.

What to do if I get a ticket for failure to carry or display a driver’s license or proof of registration?
In Duval County, you will need to submit to the Clerk of Court the following: proof that you had the above mentioned documents at the time the citation was issued and they were valid, pay a $10.00 dismissal fee and provide the yellow copy of your citation. A Clerk’s Office personnel will then dismiss the charge.

What are the fees for driver license and motor vehicle services in the State of Florida?
Please refer to the following website for a schedule of fees: License Fees

I am suspected of driver license fraud, what should I do?
Please refer to the following web page for further information and call our office to discuss your options: ID Theft