What Happens if You Plead Guilty to a Speeding Ticket in Florida?

When you’re pulled over for speeding, you may feel like you have to just deal with it. You might feel like you don’t have a chance to fight back. It’s not just the officer’s word, after all. Typically, your speed would have been found by a speed detection device, as well, which makes many people feel that they don’t have a chance to fight their ticket. 

But if you pay that speeding ticket then you’re pleading guilty to the offense and you’ll automatically get a conviction on your record and the consequences that follow can be serious. Before you plead guilty, speak to a Tampa speeding ticket attorney from Hersem Law to learn more about the process and how you may be able to protect yourself from those consequences. 

Fines, Points, and Penalties for Speeding in Florida

When you’re convicted of a speeding ticket, the penalties you face will depend on the severity of your charges. Each ticket will have fines, court costs, and other possible fees included. Most tickets will range from $150 to $350 but can be as high as $500. A ticket for 30 mph over the speed limit will require a mandatory court hearing. Tickets for 50 mph over the speed limit will carry a $1,000 fine on top of the court costs.

Your insurance will likely be affected, as well. For many people, that means an increase in their policy premiums. Worse, you could lose your coverage altogether, leaving you to seek out more expensive coverage with another provider. 

Driving points can impact your life after the conviction, too. These points will be added to your license for every conviction you receive. Those points add up, and they can lead to future suspensions. 

Your Florida License Can Be Suspended 

Unfortunately, it doesn’t take many speeding ticket convictions to get your license suspended. Receiving twelve points in twelve months means your license could be suspended for thirty days. If you continue receiving points, you could lose your license for up to a year. 

That means you’ll spend up to a year finding alternative transportation for yourself—relying on family, friends, and public transportation. That can become costly, not to mention the costs of upkeep for the car you can’t drive. That leaves you in a difficult place, all because of your conviction for a speeding ticket. 

Dispute a Speeding Ticket with Help from a Lawyer at Hersem Law

What happens if you plead guilty to a speeding ticket in Florida? None of the answers to that question are good. Pleading guilty to a Florida speeding ticket means you’ll have a conviction on your record, points on your license, increased insurance rates, and a possible suspension of your drivers license. It also means that instead of a quick fix, you’ll be suffering the penalties for years to come.

That’s why it’s smart to talk to a traffic lawyer from Hersem Law instead of pleading guilty to your speeding ticket. A conviction will hurt you, leaving you struggling for a long time after your conviction. 

Fortunately, you have a chance to build the right defense and fight your ticket, starting with a free strategy session with your attorney. We can review the details of your Florida case and discuss your options. 

If you’re ready to defend yourself from these speeding ticket penalties, reach out by calling 813-251-7291 or by completing the online contact form below.