Many Florida drivers have known the pain of seeing police lights in their rear-view mirror because they were speeding. Typically, the price is, at most, the fine associated with a basic speeding infraction. In some high-speed circumstances, however, Florida law has much more severe punishments. Whether you received an ordinary speeding ticket or your situation is more complex, a Tampa Bay traffic infraction defense lawyer can be essential to avoiding outcomes like the revocation of your driver’s license or jail time.
A 20-year-old man in greater Orlando recently was involved in one of those “high-speed” circumstances. According to The Smoking Gun, an Orange County Sheriff’s Deputy began following a red Chevrolet Camaro that another deputy had observed participating in a street race. The second deputy clocked the Camaro going as fast as 199 mph on the turnpike, where the speed limit is 70 mph. (The driver may have been going faster (200+) when you consider that many speed detection devices “max out” at 199 mph.)
When the police accuse you or your loved one of going significantly over the speed limit, the state has an array of possible charges it can bring. Going 30+ (but less than 50) over the limit triggers steep penalties. Even for a first offense, the driver faces a mandatory court hearing (no resolving the issue by simply mailing in a check,) a possible fine of $400 or more, a four-point “hit” on their driver’s license, and no traffic school option.