Florida Criminal Lawyer Blog

Today is the first day of school in Broward County. For Florida drivers, that means exercising extra caution or potentially paying the price. Those cited for speeding in a school zone can pay $140 for going 1 mph to 9 mph over the speed limit to $590 for going 30 mph or more over the speed limit.

Police officers will be monitoring school zones and cracking down on speeders or those who fail to stop at crosswalks or behind school buses that are stopped to load or unload. They may also be more heavily enforcing seat belt and child safety restraint rules.

A spokesperson fro the AAA Auto Club South recommends paying extra attention in school zones, playgrounds, and other areas with a high concentration of kids. Parents should also remind their children to look both ways and make eye contact with drivers before crossing the street.

Source: Slow down in Broward County school zones, South Florida Sun Sentinel, August 23, 2010

Continue reading "Broward Police Patrolling School Zones for Speeders" »

Our Broward County traffic attorneys have learned that Wilton Manors Police Chief Richard E. Perez is accused of submitting a false affidavit to dismiss a traffic tickets to a former city commissioner. He was already being investigated for alleged perjury.

The allegations of a false affidavit stem from an incident on April 20. National Railroad Safety Awareness Week was April 18-24, so officers were encouraged to pay even more attention to railroad-related violations. During that time, an officer issued several tickets to Florida drivers, including a former city commissioner. Ten of those were for were violations related to stopping on the railroad tracks and other crossing-related violations.

Perez allegedly tried to have the city commissioner’s traffic ticket dismissed. None of the other traffic tickets were dismissed, and not surprisingly, those drivers are not happy the situation. Perez will still be an active commission member while he is being investigated.

Source: POLICE CHIEF ACCUSED OF FIXING EX-COMMISSIONER’S TRAFFIC TICKET, South Florida Times

Continue reading "South Florida Police Chief Being Investigated for Alleged Perjury, False Affidavit" »

A recent article mentions that Florida state revenue from traffic tickets is down. According to the article, the most recent statistics that the state has are from 2008. During that time, officers wrote 120,000 fewer tickets than in 2006.

Some say that the economy may be to blame. The Florida Highway Patrol is seeing fewer drivers on the road, and those who do drive are taking greater precautions to avoid a speeding ticket. Others say that police officers may be more sympathetic to the financial plight of Florida drivers, and may be writing fewer tickets. Another factor may be that budget cuts are forcing police departments to focus on more serious crimes like DUI.

Whatever the reason, Florida’s budget is feeling the pinch, especially in the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Trust Fund.

Source: Florida Traffic Tickets Declining, WJHG.com, July 31, 2010

Continue reading "Miami Traffic Lawyers Discuss Decline in Tickets" »

According to the South Florida Sun Sentinel, it has been over a month since the pickup truck accident involving a vehicle registered to Miami Dolphins wide receiver Brian Hartline. The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) is still waiting to hear from Hartline regarding the traffic accident. He has been traveling for part the summer but has been interviewed in several media outlets since his return. He reportedly told a journalist that his lawyer had told him not to speak publicly about the traffic issue.

The FHP is investigating who was driving the Dolphins player’s 2008 Ford pickup truck. The incident report says the truck collided with an abandoned 2002 Cadillac Escalade and had to be towed away. The accident occurred just east of Interstate 95. There were apparently no witnesses to the early morning crash.

The owner of the vehicle is expected to report a crash, but failure to do so is an infraction subject to a fine, not a criminal offense. At this point, it’s unclear who was driving the truck.

Source: FHP still waiting to hear from Miami Dolphins WR Brian Hartline, South Florida Sun Sentinel, July 26, 2010

Continue reading "Florida Highway Patrol Waiting for Miami Dolphins Player to Break His Silence" »

According to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, 14 drivers were apprehended over the weekend for alleged DUI. The crackdown was part of “Staying Alive in 95 & Florida’s Roadways,” which began Friday night around 5pm and ran through 3pm on Saturday.

The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office released a statement this morning saying that sheriffs deputies wrote a total of 843 traffic citations. Forty of them were criminal. One driver was even found to be driving under zero tolerance, according to the statement.

Sheriff’s offices in Miami-Dade and Broward counties had similar operations over the weekend as well.

Sources: Sheriff's office weekend traffic patrol nets 14 DUIs, Palm Beach Post, June 7, 2010

Increased law enforcement patrols planned for South Florida roads this weekend, South Florida Sun Sentinel, June 4, 2010

Continue reading "South Florida DUI Attorneys Discuss Weekend Traffic Patrol" »

Our South Florida lawyers have learned that the Palm Beach County’s Clerk and Comptroller’s Office is instituting a new system for credit card processing of speeding tickets, marriage licenses, and other items. It used to be that residents paid a $5 convenience fee for paying with a credit card online. Paying in person at the clerk’s office involved no such fee, even if the resident uses a debit or credit card.

Under the new system, those paying with a credit card will be assessed a 3.5% processing fee collected by MyFloridaCounty.com. That means that tax-payers will no longer shoulder the burden of covering credit card transaction fees.

Officials in Broward County said they considered the 3.5% processing fee, but decided to stick with their current system of charging a $5 convenience fee for credit card online transactions.

Source: Palm Beach County switches to 3.5 percent credit card processing fee, South Florida Sun Sentinel, May 24, 2010

Continue reading "Palm Beach County Lawyers Discuss New Credit Card Processing Fees" »

Our South Florida traffic lawyers read about a state trooper who was killed over the weekend after a driver ran into the back of his patrol car.

Although Florida passed the Move Over Law eight years ago, many Florida drivers still fail to move one lane over from emergency vehicles when the lights are flashing or drop their speed limit at least 20mph below the posted speed limit. Failure to do so could result in a $164 traffic citation.

In addition to Florida, over forty over states have passed similar Move Over Laws. Since 1999, more than 150 law enforcement officials have been killed by vehicles on United States highways.

Source: Trooper's Death Reinforces Need for Move Over Law, NBCMiami.com, May 20, 2010

Continue reading "Death of Florida Trooper Highlights Importance of Move Over Law" »

In response to two fatal pedestrian accidents, Fort Lauderdale police officers are cracking down on traffic and pedestrian violations along Las Olas Boulevard. One of the deaths has been labeled a traffic homicide case, and authorities are still investigating.

Since the crackdown began on April 1, police have issued more than 400 tickets to motorists and walkers. Motorcycle officers are charging drivers with not yielding to people at crosswalks and street corners, while pedestrians are being charged with jaywalking. The fines ranged from $86 to $165, but can get even pricier if the driver is speeding.

The city of Fort Lauderdale is also considering lowering the speed limit in this area and installing cameras to catch drivers who run red lights. Storeowners concerned about safety have also suggested adding raised crosswalks and caution signs reminding drivers to stop for pedestrians at crosswalks.

Source: Deaths lead police to crack down on traffic on Las Olas, South Florida Sun Sentinel, May 10, 2010

Continue reading "Fort Lauderdale Lawyers Discuss Traffic Crackdown" »

Last year, the legislature voted to increase the fee on specialty auto-license plates from $14 to $33, and charities which depend on tag revenues for funding are feeling the pinch as sales go into freefall.

Florida has 114 varieties of tags honoring a variety of causes, including universities, breast cancer research, wildflowers, and endangered animals. Sales of those auto tags have decreased by 64 percent compared to last year, according to officials.

Specialty tags originated in Florida and debuted on January 1, 1987 to raise money for a Challenger Space Shuttle memorial. According to a Florida senate report, sales have generated nearly $436 million in income for charities since the program started. Specialty license plates represent almost 9% of tags on personal vehicles in the state.

Source: Florida specialty auto tag sales plummet, South Florida Sun Sentinel, March 16, 2010

Photo courtesy of tome213

Continue reading "Florida Traffic Lawyers Discuss Specialty Auto Tags" »

Our Palm Beach County traffic lawyers have learned that the town of Juno Beach is working through contract disagreements with LaserCraft, the company that owns and maintains the van carrying red-light cameras in June Beach. Until then, the town has suspended the Safe Street Program, including the vans carrying red-light cameras.

These vans are part of a larger legal dispute over the legality of red-light cameras. Last month, a Miami-Dade circuit court judge ruled that red-light cameras in Aventura are illegal; however that ruling does not apply to Palm Beach County.

So far, Juno Beach has collected $743,000 in fines from the red-light cameras. Mayor Mort Levine says Florida drivers are still expected to pay their fines and abide by traffic laws, even though the vans were suspended. He also expects that LaserCraft and the town will work through their contract dispute and reinstate the cameras.

Source: Juno speed van taken off roads; dispute centers on who pays if town loses in court, Palm Beach Post News, March 19, 2010

Continue reading "Juno Beach Town Council Removes White Speed Van" »

Drivers in Central Texas now have an easier way to find out about the location of speed traps and radar guns. By using the Trapster app on a 3-G phone or going online, motorists can potentially avoid a speeding ticket. The free iPhone app can also notify drivers about flooded roadways or accidents that might lead to delays; however, the primary focus of the app is radar detection.

It's interesting to us that the sheriff's office is actually encouraging this new technology, rather than shunning it. In fact, when Art Acevedo became Austin's police chief, he eliminated daily news released that announced where the department was using radar. The current attitude is that the more information the public has, the safer the roads will be.

Our Traffic Ticket lawyers in Broward County will be watching to see if this new technology catches on elsewhere in the country, particularly Broward and Palm Beach Counties.

Source: iPhone App may help you avoid speed traps, Kens5.com, March 4, 2010

Continue reading "Traffic Ticket Lawyer in Broward County Discusses New iPhone App" »

On Monday, West Palm Beach reportedly began doling out fines to South Florida drivers using their controversial new red-light cameras. The cameras are located at four intersections (Avenue and Belvedere Road, Parker and Summit Boulevard, Australian Avenue and Banyan Boulevard, and at Australian and Belvedere) and a fifth camera, at Australian and 25th Street, will be added soon. The city and its private camera vendor plan to split the $125 fines.

These fines come after several months of "warnings" during which red-light cameras documented over 17,000 "events" and police approved over 5,000 warnings. That warning period began in November of last year and was extended after drivers argued that they had made safe right turns on red and that the camera flashes were distracting.

One West Palm Beach lawyer says the cameras are unconstitutional because they presume guilt and fine the car's owner rather than the driver who ran the red light. This debate is playing out across the state, and our law firm will be watching with interest for the outcome.

Source: Red-light cameras: Violators in West Palm Beach run risk of fines, Palm Beach Post News, March 1, 2010

Continue reading "Palm Beach County Traffic Attorneys Discuss Red-Light Cameras" »

At our Broward County traffic ticket law firm, clients often ask if it matters when they get a ticket outside of Florida. The short answer is yes. That unpaid traffic ticket from your trip to the Grand Canyon could complicate the process of renewing your Florida driver's license. However, it's a bit more complicated than that.

There are three major databases that track information on your driver's license. There's the National Driver Register (NDR, also called the Problem Driver Pointer System), which monitors drivers who have had their licenses revoked or suspended. It also lists drivers who've been convicted of serious traffic violations like driving while impaired by drugs or alcohol. There's no guarantee that your license application will get denied simply because you're on this list, but it's the not the kind of company you want to keep.

That traffic ticket would actually follow you across state lines through the Driver License Compact (DLC) and the Non-Resident Violator Compact (NRVC). Basically, the DLC makes a traffic violation in another state the equivalent of a violation here in Florida. With a few exceptions, if you fail to pay a traffic ticket from another state, your home state can suspend your license until you resolve the issue.

Source: Do Speeding Tickets Follow You From State To State?, AOL Autos, February 16, 2010

Continue reading "South Florida Traffic Attorneys Discuss Out-of-State Tickets" »

Our South Florida traffic attorneys read a recent article in the New York Times about unlicensed driver who have had their cars seized by police at sobriety checkpoints. This is fast becoming a trend, particularly in some areas that need the extra revenue from the impounded vehicles. In fact, police are often more likely to seize a car than to catch a drunk driver.

According to a study by the Investigative Reporting Program at the University of California, Berkley, impoundments at checkpoints in California brought in an estimated $40 million in police fines and towing fees statewide. Most cities split the revenue with towing companies. The checkpoints do catch some drunk drivers, but in some cases police are pulling over sober motorists and seizing vehicles from unlicensed drivers, often illegal immigrants. Some of these impounded vehicles are then sold at lien sales if they go unclaimed.

While officials say that demographics are not a factor in determining where police set up checkpoints, records indicate that cities with a large Hispanic population are impounding cars at three times the rate of other cities with a smaller minority presence.

Source: Sobriety Checkpoints Catch Unlicensed Drivers, New York Times, February 13, 2010

Continue reading "Police Using Sobriety Checkpoints to Catch Unlicensed Drivers" »

Our Fort Lauderdale Criminal Lawyers recently read an article about how police in Fort Lauderdale will begin using license plate readers to scan cars. Rather than typing in a suspicious car's license plate number into a computer, the software would conduct searches automatically, looking for stolen vehicles, and suspects on terrorist watch lists, among other things.

Several other communities in South Florida are already using similar technology. The Broward Sheriff's Office, the Palm Beach Sheriff's Office, and police departments in West Palm Beach and North Miami Beach reportedly already have tag readers.

A police spokesperson would not divulge how many patrols will get tag readers, but he said it could be a small number to start. The technology will be paid for with grant funds.

Source: Lauderdale police move toward car-tag scanners, South Florida Sun Sentinel, February 1, 2010

Continue reading "Fort Lauderdale Police to Look for Criminals Using Car-Tag Scanners" »

The attorneys at our South Florida traffic ticket law firm recently read about a Florida Highway Patrol trooper who has been arrested for writing fake traffic citations. Prosecutors estimate that hundreds of drivers received these bogus citations during 2009 and the citations were missing driver signatures.

One of the drivers the trooper cited actually lives in Peru, while others claim they were not on the road on the day that there traffic ticket was allegedly issued.

The trooper was arrested on 22 counts of official misconduct, which is a third-degree felony. Hundreds of his traffic citations have been dismissed. Authorities say that he wrote the tickets to boost his output, despite the fact that the FHP does not have a quota for its troopers.

The incident is being investigated by the State Attorney's Office.

Sources: Miami-Dade trooper accused of writing hundreds of fake tickets, South Florida Sun Sentinel, February 3, 2010
Trooper arrested for issuing bogus tickets, WSVN.com, February 3, 2010

Continue reading "Miami-Dade Trooper Charged With Felony for Writing Fake Tickets" »

Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

The Fort Lauderdale Traffic Attorneys at Leifert & Leifert have learned that the Ft. Lauderdale city commission will be voting tonight on the installation of red light cameras. Should the vote pass, Fort Lauderdale will be installing the red light cameras at the following pre-determined locations:

Eastbound E. Sunrise Boulevard at NE 15th Ave.
Southbound NE 15th Ave. at E. Sunrise Boulevard

Southbound N. Federal Highway at E. Oakland Park Boulevard

Westbound NW 62nd St./W. Cypress Creek Road at NW 9th Ave./Powerline Road

Eastbound NW 62nd St./W. Cypress Creek Road at NW 31st Avenue

Southbound NW 31st Avenue at NW 62nd Street/W. Cypress Creek Rd.

Eastbound W. Sunrise Boulevard at NW 9th Avenue
Westbound W. Sunrise Boulevard at NW 9th Avenue

Eastbound E. Commercial Boulevard at N. Federal Highway/US 1
Westbound E. Commercial Boulevard at N. Federal Highway/US 1

Broward County Traffic Ticket Lawyer Discusses Fort Lauderdale and Red-Light Cameras

"10 stop lights getting red light cameras in Lauderdale; vote is tonight", South Florida Sun-Sentinel, January 20, 2010.

Update: Fort Lauderdale City Commission Approves Red Light Cameras

Continue reading "Fort Lauderdale Traffic Attorney: Red Light Cameras to be Approved?" »

Broward County Traffic Defense Attorney Brian S. Leifert has just learned that the Broward County Sheriff's Office will be unleashing their latest weapon in an effort to better enforce local traffic rules. The Sheriff's Office will be utilizing at least one new Dodge Challenger R/T (pictured below) hoping to curb aggressive and reckless driving around Broward County.

Report: Broward Country Sheriff’s Office Unveils Dodge Challenger R/T Cruiser

Continue reading "Fort Lauderdale Traffic Lawyer - Broward County Sheriff's Office Gets More Muscle" »

According to a 2003 study released by the American Automobile Association, drivers without a valid license are five times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash than drivers who have a legal license. Traditionally, law enforcement agencies don't actively pursue unlicensed drivers.

But in Palm Beach County, teams of state troopers and deputies have been cracking down on unlicensed drivers. In fact, they have been ordered to stake out courthouses and apprehend drivers attempting to pull out of the parking after losing their driver's license. Since the crackdown started in September, over a dozen drivers whose licenses were suspended by a judge have been arrested and their vehicles towed, according to officials.

Of course, not everyone agrees with this approach. A Fort Lauderdale criminal defense lawyer said he feels tax dollars would be better spent policing more serious issues like violent crime. Although officials say they are planning additional operations in Miami-Dade and Broward county, they would not disclose the details.

New tactic from law enforcement agencies nabs unlicensed drivers, South Florida Sun Sentinel, October 7, 2009

Continue reading "Broward Traffic Lawyer Discusses New Strategy for Nabbing Unlicensed Drivers " »

Last week, Parkland's City Commission voted unanimously to approve a ban on text messaging while driving within Parkland city limits. The ban was prompted by a recent Virginia Tech Transportation Institute study that found drivers who text while behind the wheel are 23 times as likely to be involved in a car accident compared to other drivers. Commissioner Jared Moskowitz reportedly proposed the ban.

Florida drivers face a $100 fine for texting while driving, but on-duty police and fire officials are exempt. However, deputies are currently issuing warnings while the city awaits a ruling from the state Attorney General's Office on the legality of a text messaging ban.

Some believe that text messaging while driving as is dangerous as drunk driving or dui, especially for younger, less experienced drivers.

Parkland bans texting while driving, South Florida Sun Sentinel, October 7, 2009

Florida could ban texting while driving, South Florida Sun Sentinel, October 26, 2009.

Continue reading "Broward Traffic Attorney - Parkland Becomes First City in Broward County to Ban Texting While Driving" »

South Florida traffic lawyer Doug Leifert was recently quoted in a Sun Sentinel article about the increase in DUI convictions and traffic citations over the last few years.

According to Leifert, "My office is busier and busier every year. Without even looking at the stats, I can tell you the increased enforcement is obvious."

Comparing Leifert's statement to the actual statistics shows that Palm Beach County drivers did in fact get more traffic tickets in 2008 compared to the previous year. In fact, every category of traffic citations increased in 2008, but the most dramatic increase was in more serious cases like DUI and fleeting police.

While Palm Beach County saw up to an 85% increase in DUI convictions last year, in part because of prior statistical reporting issues, Broward County and the state of Florida actually saw traffic citations drop. The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office doubled its DUI unit and did several new specialized operations focused on speeding and DUIs, which may partly explain the discrepancy.

Palm Beach County records 85 percent increase in 2008 DUI convictions; all traffic citation categories rise, South Florida Sun Sentinel, October 1, 2009

Continue reading "Delray Beach Traffic Attorney Doug Leifert Comments on Traffic Tickets" »

Delray Beach traffic lawyer Doug Leifert was recently quoted in a South Florida Sun Sentinel article about statistics recently released by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. According to statistics, 2008 marked a 5-year low for traffic citations in Broward County. The most dramatic decrease was in "non-criminal moving" violations such as speeding, careless driving, and running red lights.

The trend statewide showed a decrease in overall traffic citations, although Palm Beach County actually saw an increase in traffic tickets in 2008. The most significant increase in Palm Beach County was in DUI convictions, though may have been because of statistical reporting issues in previous years.

According to the Broward Sheriff's Office, it is unclear why there were fewer tickets issued in 2008 than in previous years. A spokesman for Broward's Florida Highway Patrol troop said it may be related to the economy because fewer drivers are on the road.

Broward County traffic tickets down in 2008, South Florida Sun Sentinel, September 29, 2009

Continue reading "Lawyers Note Fewer Traffic Tickets Issued in Broward County Last Year " »

Our South Florida traffic ticket attorneys have learned that the Palm Beach County Clerk & Comptroller's office has partnered with The Check Cashing Store to offer Florida motorists another option for paying traffic tickets. Drivers can pay their tickets at one of more than 80 Check Cashing Store locations in Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade counties.

Tickets can also be paid online, in person at any clerk's office, or by mail. A $3 convenience fee applies if paying at The Checking Cashing Store, and tickets must be paid in cash within 30 days of receiving the citation.

Tickets that require mandatory court of proof of compliance (for instance, in the case of improper or unsafe equipment or failure to display registration) cannot be paid at The Check Cashing Store.

Paying traffic tickets just got easier in Palm Beach County, South Florida Sun Sentinel, August 7, 2009

Continue reading "Palm Beach County Traffic Tickets Can Now Be Paid at Check Cashing Stores" »

Two separate lawsuits involving red-light cameras in Aventura and Temple Terrace, Florida have officials in Pembroke Pines worried that their Broward city could be next. Critics of the red light cameras assert that the cameras violate drivers' due process rights. A few months earlier, Florida's legislature killed a bill that would have allowed municipalities to install red-light cameras at intersections.

In response to these concerns, city officials are working to amend their contact with American Traffic Solutions (ATS) so that ATS would shoulder part of the burden of any lawsuits.

Last March, Pembroke Pines became the first city in Broward County to fine drivers for speeding using red-light cameras. The first camera is at Pines Boulevard and 129th Avenue. They have since added five more, and violators are fined $125.

Twelve other Broward County municipalities are either researching this option or are about to vote on it. Hollywood, Fort Lauderdale, and Hallandale Beach have all approved red-light camera programs, despite it being a legal gray area.

Pembroke Pines fears red light camera lawsuits, South Florida Sun Sentinel, August 16, 2009

Pembroke Pines to discuss red-light cameras tonight, South Florida Sun Sentinel, August 19, 2009

Continue reading "Pembroke Pines Concerned Over Red-Light Camera Ticket Lawsuits " »

Our South Florida traffic lawyers have recently learned about a new law that will require some of the state's worst drivers to take a behind-the-wheel driver's education course and a pass a driving test. The law, which was signed last month by Governor Charlie Crist, goes into effect on January 1.

Drivers should note that violations will begin counting in January, so if you have previous traffic infractions or were found at fault for a car accident prior to January, it won't count in this case. However, highway safety officials say they have identified more than 3,200 Florida drivers who are considered dangerous behind the wheel. These drivers were involved in more than 10,000 accidents during a three-year period ending December 31, 2008. Roughly 600 of those drivers have at least one conviction for driving under the influence of alcohol.

Statistically, these drivers are predominantly males under age 40 who live in urban areas. More than one third of those drivers are under age 25. The state's most populated county, Miami-Dade, has the largest number of dangerous drivers. Broward County ranks fifth.

Florida's worst drivers will have to retake driving test, Miami Herald, July 10, 2009

Continue reading "New Florida Law Will Require State's Worst Drivers to Retake Test" »

Our South Florida traffic attorneys have learned that the Florida Highway Patrol will bulk up its patrols on July 30 and 31 in an effort to reduce driving hazards on the Florida Turnpike and interstate highways. Troopers will be cracking down on drivers who tailgate, speed, run traffic lights, change lanes without warning, violate the Move Over Law, or drive under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs.

Troopers will use RADAR, VASCAR, LASER, video cameras, and unmarked patrol vehicles as part of this special enforcement campaign called Be Smart, Drive Smart Florida! In addition, the Florida Highway Patrol will use its aircraft to watch for potentially unsafe drivers. Enforcement will be focused on Florida's Turnpike, every interstate, and other major state roads in Florida.

Although there are no additional fines or points for aggressive driving, when a trooper stops someone for aggressive driving, the driver receives a traffic citation for the offenses committed and the troopers checks an "aggressive driving" box on the citation. Judges may impose higher fines or require the defendant to enroll in an aggressive driving course if they see the box checked on the citation.

Press Release: Florida Highway Patrol Cracks Down on Aggressive Driving, July 29, 2009

Continue reading "Palm Beach Traffic Lawyer Warns: FHP Upping Enforcement of Traffic Laws" »

Our South Florida traffic attorneys recently read about a Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) trooper with a 12 year history of service who says he was terminated for not writing enough traffic tickets. According to Bay News 9, former trooper Chris Maul left for six months and was put on a routine probation period when he returned.

In May, Maul made 44 arrests, including four for DUI. Despite getting a positive review during his quarterly evaluation, Maul was later told that d his level of activity wasn't going cut it. He was terminated in June.

Florida statutes prohibit the FHP from setting up a quota system for citations. Bay News 9's calls to the Florida Highway Patrol were not returned.

Former FHP trooper: I was fired for not writing enough tickets, Tampa Bay News, July 15, 2009

Continue reading "Former Florida Highway Patrol Troopers Says He Was Fired Not Writing Enough Tickets" »

Our South Florida traffic lawyers have been following several new laws that took effect in Florida earlier this week. As part of these new laws, Florida drivers will pay more for their yearly vehicle registrations, license renewals, vehicle plates, and several other areas associated with driving.

An initial Florida license will cost $48, up from $27 and a renewal license will jump from $20 to $48. The late payment on a driver's license will increase from $1 to $15.

Collection of the fees begins September 1, and these new charges are part of the Florida Legislature's efforts to balance their budget, which had a deficit. Florida has nearly 19 million registered cars, and the experts predict that the new motorist fees could generate around $800 million in 2010 and even more in the years to come.

Another change to Florida traffic law is the introduction of the Dori Slosberg and Katie Marchetti Safety Belt Law, which allows police offers in Boward, Palm Beach and throughout Florida to stop drivers simply for not wearing a seat belt. In the past, drivers could only be pulled over for other offenses and then cited for failing to wear a seatbelt.

Police saturate Palm Beach County roads with eye towards seatbelts, Palm Beach Post, July 1, 2009

Cigarettes, traffic fines, driver licenses to cost more starting today as new state laws take effect, Palm Beach Post, July 1, 2009

Drivers fees taking big bumps, South Florida Sun Sentinel, June 30, 2009

Continue reading "New Florida Traffic Laws Mean Higher Fees for Drivers in Broward and Palm Beach" »

Earlier this week, Boca Raton's City Council approved plans to add red-light cameras at 10 intersections in Boca Raton, plus install parking meters at the beach and Mizner Park. Many cities in Florida and around the country already have paid parking and red-light cameras to catch and fine those who run traffic lights.

Adding red-light cameras to several Boca Raton intersections is expected to generate an additional $1 million for the city at a time when council members are struggling to close an estimated $4 million budget gap for the 2009-2010 fiscal year.

The council was divided on the issue, because some worried that fining drivers who run red lights would make the city appear less welcoming to visitors. Some also voiced concerns that the city might face lawsuits from Florida drivers involved in rear-end collisions.

Boca Raton approves red-light cameras, South Florida Sun Sentinel, June 23, 2009

More cash or more crashes? Boca Raton considers red-light cameras, parking fees to close $4 million budget gap, Palm Beach Post, June 23, 2009

Continue reading "Boca Raton Traffic Attorney Discusses Red-Light Cameras" »

According to the South Florida Sun Sentinel, Broward County is more than four years behind schedule on making traffic signal upgrades. Broward county was to upgrade traffic signals at over a thousand intersections by the end of last year. The new high-tech systems would ensure that the traffic signals could adjust to driving conditions and traffic situations as they occur.

Original plans called for the work occur in six phases starting with Fort Lauderdale in 2004 and concluding with southwest Broward last year. The new traffic lights would use closed-circuit cameras and fiber optic cables to adjust signal times for bad weather, congestion during rush hour, traffic jams or accidents.

The system is not operational anywhere in Broward county. Although new signal controllers have been installed at the majority of the intersections, they lack the software to activate them, and the project is now more than four years behind schedule. The commissioner is furious that this $85.6 million project is so far behind schedule and said top county administrators must be held accountable for the delay.

Broward's traffic signal update years behind schedule, South Florida Sun Sentinel, May 15, 2009

Continue reading "Broward Traffic Lawyer Discusses Signal Upgrade Project" »

Broward County Traffic Ticket Attorney, Brian S. Leifert has learned that Fort Lauderdale city commissioners are meeting today to discuss the possibility of posting video cameras at major intersections to catch drivers who run a red light. The previous City Commission supported the proposal, but the commission now has four new faces and the new commission must green light the proposal before it can go to a formal vote. The vote could take place as early as June, and the cameras could be installed later this year.

When a driver runs a red light, the camera captures the license plate on film, and the owner receives a violation notice in the mail. The notice can carry a fine, but it’s not a traffic citation and does not impact the driver’s record. Commissioner and former police chief Bruce Roberts said that Fort Lauderdale may be able to get a vendor to pay for the cameras in return for a portion of the fines collected.

Several other cities in South Florida, including Hollywood, Pembroke Pines, Coral Gables, and Delray Beach, already have similar cameras.

Fort Lauderdale considers posting cameras to catch red-light runners, Sun Sentinel, April 7, 2009

Continue reading "Broward County Traffic Ticket Lawyer Discusses Fort Lauderdale and Red-Light Cameras" »

Police in South Florida are using license plate scanners to look for stolen vehicles and criminals. The multi-camera and scanner system is mounted on the hood, trunk, or roof of a cruiser and can scan as many as 10,000 license plates a shift.

In Palm Beach County, the Sheriff’s Office has been using a scanning system to track sex offenders and gang members since 2007. The Broward Sheriff’s Office has 35 license plate recognition systems mounted on police cars and stationed at locations throughout the area. Their system has been in place for about a year and scans 300,000 license plates per month on average.

Police say the system is an effective way for law enforcement officials to multi-tack and track criminal activity, but some privacy-rights groups worry that the information could be misused. Every license plate is stored in a police database and the hope is that the information could be shared between all agencies in the future. A representation of the ACLU’s Broward chapter expressed concern about officers tracking a girlfriend or snooping on people who haven’t committed a crime.

According to a spokesman for the Broward Sheriff’s Office, “it's a crime-fighting tool used to find violent offenders or violent criminals. This is not Big Brother watching."

New cameras in police cruisers can analyze thousands of license tags a day, The Sun Sentinel, March 26, 2009

Continue reading "South Florida Criminal Defense Lawyers - Florida Police Using New License Plate Scanners" »

Fort Lauderdale Criminal Lawyer Brian S. Leifert has just been made aware of enhanced traffic enforcement in western Broward County. Operation “B.A.D.” (Blitz on Aggressive Drivers) is back and will be conducted over the next four days by the Broward County Sheriff’s Office and Florida Highway Patrol.

The operation is said to be partly a result of an accident involving Broward County Sheriff’s Deputy Tony Morales who was hospitalized when his cruiser was struck this past Thursday after he had stopped a driver on I-95 to issue a traffic ticket.

A similar traffic ticket enforcement campaign was conducted about two weeks ago in western Broward County where Broward County law enforcement officers issued a total of 189 traffic tickets.

Officers will be looking out for all violations with a specific emphasis on aggressive drivers and violators of the "Move Over" law as well as seat belt violations.

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday enforcement will be from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m and Thursday’s will be 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Continue reading "Fort Lauderdale Criminal Lawyer Warns of Enhanced Broward County Traffic Enforcement" »

"Operation Bad" (Blitz on Aggressive Drivers) is on the prowl today in Western Broward County. Enforcement will be concentrated on I-75 and the Sawgrass Expressway.

Local law enforcement officers will be looking for violations of the "Move Over" law as well as speeding and any aggressive driving behavior.

Continue reading "Broward County Traffic Ticket Attorney Warns of Enhanced Traffic Enforcement" »

Everybody is feeling the economic slowdown, especially government in Palm Beach County. With declining property values and declining consumption, the Government is faced with declining revenues which are based on these values. Instead of tightening budgets, eliminating positions and consolidating operations, government's answer in Palm Beach County is to increase fines and also the amount of traffic tickets being issued. As a Palm Beach County criminal defense lawyer, I've seen this first hand.

We are all being targeted with special enforcement with the goal being to fill the government coffers with money generated from traffic violations. Fines and Court costs have increased dramatically over the last year as have the amount of Palm Beach County traffic tickets being issued.

Driving defensively and with strict observations of all traffic laws will help you avoid being selected by police for some special enforcement and revenue generation. Drivers need to be vigilant to increased law enforcement activity and expect to see increased patrols and prolific traffic ticket writing for the foreseeable future.

Does anybody know of any Palm Beach County police officers losing their jobs? Something to think about......

Florida's Move Over Law requires motorists to move over when a patrol car, emergency vehicle, or tow truck/wrecker is stopped on the side of the road with lights flashing. Driver's in Florida are required to approach emergency vehicles with caution, change lanes away from emergency vehicles if able to move over safely, or slow down while maintaining a safe speed.

In light of recent crashes involving law enforcement conducting traffic enforcement, the State of Florida enacted legislation in an effort to reduce the risk for law enforcement and emergency personnel.

Broward County and Palm Beach County law enforcement are writing a significant number of traffic tickets for alleged violations of the Florida Move Over Law. Traffic stops have spiked in South Florida because of this law. As a criminal defense lawyer in Florida for over fourteen years, I have seen the routine traffic stop turn into more serious situations like DUI investigations, arrests for illegal drugs and weapons violations. In addition a personality conflicts between a driver and an officer can escalate into a more serious situation when an officer decides there is a need for retaliation for a "bad attitude."

Be aware of this law. Police officers are constantly looking for reasons to pull you over. You can limit your risk of being stopped by being aware of this law.

Personally, I feel attempted compliance by a driver actually increases the risk of an accident. If traffic is heavy or conditions are unsafe, I recommend at least activating a turn signal so at least your intentions can be clearly seen by law enforcement.

Continue reading "Broward County Traffic Ticket Lawyer: Advice on Florida's "Move Over" Law" »

Florida Traffic Ticket fines are scheduled to increase on February 1, 2009. In an effort to generate revenue for the State of Florida, Legislators have increased numerous Florida traffic ticket penalties and expect to raise $16 million in 2009.

Fines on speeding tickets are scheduled to increase $10.00 - $35.00 depending on the alleged speed. Fine on other traffic tickets for moving violations are also scheduled to increase. Florida traffic citations for failure to yield, failure to maintain a single lane, not using a turn signal or running a red light will also increase.

The State of Florida has also eliminated the eighteen percent (18%) discount for individuals who are eligible and elect to attend traffic school.

Broward County law enforcement issued a total of 530,052 traffic tickets in 2006.

Continue reading "Broward County Traffic Ticket Lawyer: Florida Traffic Ticket Penalties Set to Increase" »