Florida Criminal Lawyer Blog

Our South Florida traffic attorneys read about an Englewood woman whose Florida driver’s license contained a comical error. After the woman mailed her $48 renewal fee, she received her new state-issued ID in the mail and noticed a new street address. The error? The license stated her address as “Eat Ass” in Englewood, Florida.

No word from the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles on how this happened.

After getting a song-and-dance from the DMV on the phone, the couple visited a local DMV office and got a quote for a new license if they wanted the old one replaced. Florida officials later contacted the woman to let her know that a new driver’s license was in the mail at no cost to her.

Source: Woman shocked to see vulgar address on new driver's license, South Florida Sun Sentinel, May 20, 2010

Continue reading "South Florida Woman Spots Shocking Mistake on License" »

According to a recent article, Florida drivers say the new identification requirements at the DMV are proving to be a hassle. When a reporter visited a Fort Lauderdale branch of the DMV, he discovered a frustrated group of customers waiting in line with birth certificates, passports, citizenship diplomas, and other paperwork.

Some of these people would wait three to four hours or make return trips if they don’t bring proper documentation.

The new documentation requirements went into effect on January 1 and applies to those seeking a new driver's license, a renewal, an address update, or replacements for lost or stolen licenses. It grew out of the 2005 Real ID Act passed by Congress. While states have until next year to comply, many have resisted and the requirements may eventually get scrapped.

Source: License to frustrate: Get-tough ID policies could snag all Floridians, South Florida Sun Sentinel, May 8, 2010

Continue reading "South Florida Traffic Lawyers Discuss New Licensing Requirements" »

Our South Florida attorneys have learned that due to budget cuts, Palm Beach County will be closing its five driver's license offices over the next year. The Delray Beach office will close June 30. Several other closings are planned throughout the state of Florida to assist with the worsening budgetary issues. The state anticipates a $100 million budget shortfall for 2011.

Although local tax collection offices are supposed to take over the driver's license renewal and issuing duties, Palm Beach County officials say they don't have the space in their Delray Beach satellite office, which already shares space with the property appraiser.

According to the county, the Delray Beach driver's license office processed more than 86,000 transactions last year. A new office is proposed for Lantana and would Palm Beach County's only full-service driver's license office.

Source: Palm Beach County considers alternatives to Delray drivers license office, South Florida Sun Sentinel, March 15, 2010

Continue reading "Palm Beach County Traffic Attorney: Driver's License Offices Closing" »

Our South Florida law blog has already covered the new federal identification requirements for renewing a driver's license on January 13, 1010 - "Broward and Palm Beach County Traffic Attorneys Discuss New ID Requirements for Driver's Licenses." We anticipated that it could cause delays at the DMV, and that proved to be an understatement for one Port St. Lucie doctor who tried to renew his driver's license earlier this month.

The 52-year-old man brought along all the necessary paperwork, including his United States password and Social Security card. But his renewal application was rejected because the names on his identification documents didn't match. Both had his first and last name listed, but his passport includes a middle name that was missing from his Social Security card. After making calls to the state Division of Highway and Safety and getting help from the office of a state representative, the doctor will be able to renew his driver's license.

Florida is among the first states to enact Real ID. All drivers must age 50 and younger must have the Real ID by December 1, 2014. Those over 50 have until three more years.

Source: Real ID a real problem for Port St. Lucie doctor who wanted to renew license, TCPalm.com, January 20, 2010

Continue reading "Real ID Poses Problem for Florida Man Renewing Driver's License" »

As of January 1, Florida drivers will have to show at least four pieces of identification to receive a new driver's license or identification card. The changes are in keeping with the federal REAL ID Act, which sets a nationwide standard for issuing driver's licenses and IDs.

One piece of identification is "primary identification" and can include an original birth certificate or passport. A green card or visa can be used by immigrants or foreign nationals. Those seeking a driver's license will also need to show a social security number, which can be in the form of a paycheck, w-2 form, and other forms. In addition, applicants must show two proofs of a residential address such as a utility bill, a mortgage statement, or a voter registration card.

Before the new guidelines went into effect, those with an old driver's license or an out-of-state license need only hand over the old license to receive a new one. Now their documents will be scanned and sent to state and federal agencies to be verified. Officials predict that this could lead to long lines at the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Source: VIDEO/POLL: Tougher background checks will slow those seeking Florida driver license, NaplesNew.com, December 30, 2009

Continue reading "Broward and Palm Beach County Traffic Attorneys Discuss New ID Requirements for Driver's Licenses" »

Our Delray Beach criminal defense attorneys have just learned that five employees of the Department of Motor vehicles west of Delray Beach were arrested last Friday.

A task force headed up by the Palm Beach County State Attorney's Office was created to investigate the issuance of Florida driver's licenses to illegal immigrants. These immigrants all showed fraudulent passports and/or U.S.I-94 forms as identity and proof of presence in the United States to the DMV.

The Florida DMV employees have been charged with driver's license fraud, official misconduct, unlawful compensation and computer crimes. Each of those four felonies carries a maximum sentence of five years Florida State Prison. An affidavit from the Florida Highway Patrol states that the employees were paid for their role in this illegal scheme and were fired on Friday.

Delray Beach: 5 accused of issuing fake driver's licenses, South Florida Sun Sentinel, May 30, 2009

Five DMV employees arrested in driver's license fraud, South Florida Sun Sentinel, May 29, 2009

Continue reading "Delray Beach DMV Employees Arrested and Charged With Fraud" »

Checking the status of your Florida driver's license is a relatively simple procedure according to the Fort Lauderdale Criminal Defense Lawyers at Leifert & Leifert. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles allows anyone with a Florida driver's license to quickly check the status of their license. All you need is your Florida driver's license number.

Click here to check the status of your FLORIDA DRIVER'S LICENSE

Our Florida Criminal Defense Lawyers have represented numerous clients who have had problems with their drivers licenses who simply were not aware of the problem due lack of notice. The best way to protect yourself from driving with a bad license is to make sure the Florida DMV has your correct address. By law, a Florida driver is required to change their address on their Florida license to reflect their correct residence. The Florida DMV only issues notification of suspensions or problems by mail.

The Florida DMV also allows on line renewal your driver's license and the ability to request Florida identification cards.

Continue reading "Florida Criminal Defense Lawyer Explains How to Check the Status of Your Florida Driver's License" »