Vehicle Offenses

Miami Vehicle Offense Attorney

While most motor vehicle violations in Florida are considered minor infractions, some vehicular offenses may result in criminal charges. Although some individuals may be tempted to simply pay the fine for a minor infraction, this could negatively impact your driving record. A more serious vehicle offense can result in fines, a license suspension and jail time. In either case, the best way to protect your driving privileges and your rights it to work with the right criminal defense attorney.

Located in Miami, Valiente Law routinely handles motor vehicle violations in South Florida ranging from simple traffic infractions to criminal traffic offenses. Whether you have received a speeding ticket or face a more serious charge such as driving under the influence, our attorneys will advise you of your rights and explore all options.

Call Us At 305.764.5460 For A FREE Consultation! 

Traffic Infractions and Criminal Traffic Offenses

Many ordinary speeding or improper-lane-change citations are noncriminal traffic infractions handled through the court’s traffic process. They are not misdemeanors. Administrative license-suspension proceedings before FLHSMV are a separate process. A civil citation may still carry fines, points, and consequences for driving privileges.

Other driving conduct can be criminal, including DUI, reckless driving, and qualifying license offenses. The charge may be a misdemeanor or felony depending on the statute, prior record, injury, and other facts. Failure to maintain insurance is not automatically a misdemeanor simply because it concerns a vehicle.

Driving With a Suspended or Revoked License

Under section 322.34, the driver’s knowledge, reason for the suspension, prior convictions, and any habitual-traffic-offender designation matter. A violation without the required knowledge may be a civil moving infraction; knowing violations can be misdemeanors or felonies under the applicable subsection.

Every third offense is not automatically a felony. The current statute generally treats a second or subsequent knowing violation as a first-degree misdemeanor, while specified third-or-later violations tied to DUI, chemical-test refusal, death or serious-injury traffic offenses, or fleeing/eluding may be felonies. Habitual-offender, commercial-driving, injury-related, and specified financial-suspension provisions require separate analysis. A lawyer should review the actual driving record and charging subsection.

Dangerous Excessive Speeding

Section 316.1922, enacted in 2025, creates a criminal offense for driving at least 50 mph over the limit, or at least 100 mph while threatening persons or property or interfering with another vehicle. A first conviction can carry up to 30 days in jail, a $500 fine, or both; later convictions can carry up to 90 days, a $1,000 fine, or both. A qualifying repeat violation within five years also requires a license revocation.

Felony allegations can arise from qualifying repeat DUI, leaving an injury or fatal crash, vehicular homicide, or other specific statutes. Do not assume a citation is merely civil based on its traffic-related label. Review the charge and response deadline promptly.

How Valiente Law Can Help

Regardless of the severity of a motor vehicle offense you have been charged with, we have the knowledge and skill to defend you. Our legal team will evaluate your case and choose the best line of defense against the specific charges.

If you were stopped for speeding after law enforcement used a radar device, for example, we may question whether the device gave an accurate reading or the arresting officer was properly trained in using the device. Similarly, if you have been charged with misdemeanor DUI, we will move to challenge the accuracy of the “breath test” results. In short, if law enforcement fails to conduct a thorough investigation or follow proper procedures, the evidence may not be admissible.

If this is your first arrest, review the separate license deadline and court process for a first DUI charge in Miami.

When it comes to felony traffic violations such as vehicular manslaughter, it takes a highly skilled criminal defense attorney knowledgeable in all the technicalities of traffic law to protect your rights. While the stakes may not be as high for a minor traffic violation, having points added to your license may jeopardize your driving privileges and result in a significant increase to your auto insurance premiums. Depending on the circumstances, we will work to have the charges dismissed or seek a reduced charge with lower penalties and fines.

Well-versed in the applicable vehicle and traffic laws as well as regulations of the DHSMV, we know how to fight traffic tickets and protect your driving privileges. You may have been ticketed unfairly, or there may be other defenses available to you. In any event, don’t fight that traffic ticket alone.

Call Valiente Law today at 305.764.5460. 

Featured Testimonial

Miami Vehicular Offense Defense Review

Mr. Valiente spoke to me and my daughter for over two hours, he was on point with all of our questions his advice helped us with our case. Our case was settled but I believe it was because of his knowledge of the law. I am forever grateful to Mr. Valiente.

Connie

Miami Vehicular Offense Attorney

5/5