CRUCIAL MISTAKES TO AVOID WHEN CONTESTING A TRAFFIC TICKET IN PINELLAS COUNTY

Maybe you were running late for work and decided to drive a little faster than normal to try and make up the time. Perhaps you were distracted by your crying child in the backseat and did not see the stop sign. Or maybe the congestion of the roadways in Pinellas County was overwhelming and you failed to check your blind spot. 

Whatever the reason is that you received your Pinellas County Traffic infraction, the Top Pinellas County Traffic Ticket Defense Lawyers want you to know these top three crucial mistakes to avoid after receiving a traffic citation:

1. Do NOT Miss The Deadline.

For most traffic infractions, you only have 30 days to take action. Your failure to take action within the 30-day period will result in a conviction being imposed, points assessed against your license, and a suspension of your driver’s license.

2. Do NOT Assume That Your Ticket Will Be Dismissed Because You Have a Clean Driving Record.

Things are different in today’s Pinellas County Traffic Court. Perhaps 20 or 30 years ago, your traffic ticket might have been dismissed as an isolated incident just because you had a clean record. Those days are gone. You need a plan of attack to avoid a conviction for your traffic ticket.

3. Do NOT Choose to Simply “Pay the Citation” If It Is a Moving Violation.

If you received a citation for speeding, running a stop sign, careless driving, running a red light, failure to yield, or any other moving violation, simply “paying the citation” is the equivalent of a guilty plea and will result in points being assessed against your license. This can cause drastic increases in your insurance premiums and, in some cases, a suspension of your driver’s license.

If you or a loved one has been issued a traffic violation in St. Petersburg, Clearwater, or the surrounding areas of Pinellas County, our top-rated Traffic Violation Defense Attorneys at the Law Office of Timothy Sullivan is here to help. Contact our office at 727-578-0303 for a free consultation to discuss what steps are in your best interest to keep the points off of your driving record.