St. Petersburg Habitual Traffic Offender Lawyer
Protect Your Driving Privileges and Future
If you’ve been labeled a habitual traffic offender in St. Petersburg, you could be facing a five-year revocation of your driver’s license. Losing your driving privileges can significantly impact your ability to work, take care of your family, and maintain your daily routine. However, you may have legal options to challenge the habitual traffic offender designation, seek a hardship license, or get your license reinstated.
At Hersem Law, we understand how Florida law treats habitual traffic offenders and the consequences that come with an HTO revocation. Our goal is to help you navigate the criminal justice system, challenge wrongful designations, and fight for your ability to drive legally.
What Is a Habitual Traffic Offender?
Under Florida law, a habitual traffic offender is someone who accumulates three or more qualifying offenses within a five-year period. These offenses can include:
- Driving while license suspended or revoked
- DUI convictions
- Vehicular manslaughter
- Committing any felony offense using a motor vehicle
- Failing to stop and render aid after an accident
In addition to these major offenses, accumulating 15 or more moving violations within five years can also result in an HTO designation. If the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (Florida DMV) labels you a habitual traffic offender, your license will be suspended for five years.
Consequences of an HTO Designation
A habitual traffic offender designation results in a five-year revocation of your driver’s license. If you are caught driving while your license is suspended under an HTO status, you could face a third-degree felony charge, which carries penalties of up to five years in prison and steep fines. Additionally, a conviction for driving while license suspended as a habitual offender will remain on your Florida driving record, affecting your ability to reinstate your license in the future.
Other consequences include:
- Inability to obtain auto insurance
- Increased fines and penalties for future traffic violations
- Difficulty securing employment that requires a valid driver’s license
If you receive notice of an HTO designation, you must act quickly to explore your legal options.
How to Challenge an HTO Revocation
There are several ways to challenge an habitual traffic offender suspension or seek relief, including:
1. Reviewing Your Driving Record for Errors
Many habitual traffic offender designations occur due to clerical mistakes or misclassified offenses. A traffic court lawyer can review your Florida driving record to determine whether the convictions were correctly applied.
2. Seeking a Hardship License
After one year of a habitual traffic offender suspension, you may be eligible for a hardship license, allowing you to drive for work or essential needs. To qualify, you must complete a Florida Department-approved Advanced Driver Improvement (ADI) course and petition for reinstatement.
3. Challenging Past Convictions
If one of the three convictions leading to your HTO designation was a withholds adjudication or could be overturned, your habitual traffic offender status may be removed. A criminal defense attorney can review whether you can reopen past cases and remove an underlying conviction.
4. Addressing Traffic Violations Before an HTO Notice
If you have two qualifying offenses on your driving record, it’s critical to fight any new traffic ticket that could lead to a third conviction. With legal representation, you may be able to get the charge dismissed or reduced, preventing an HTO designation.
Defending Against Driving While License Suspended Charges
If you are caught driving while your license is suspended under an HTO revocation order, you could be charged with a third-degree felony. In these cases, your defense options may include:
- Proving you were unaware of your suspension or HTO status
- Demonstrating that you were not driving the motor vehicle in question
- Showing that your license had been reinstated or your HTO designation was applied incorrectly
A criminal defense attorney experienced in handling traffic offenses can review your case and build a strong defense.
Serving Clients in Pinellas County and Beyond
At Hersem Law, we serve clients in Pinellas County, Hillsborough County, Pasco County, Hernando County, and surrounding areas, including Tampa, Dade City, New Port Richey, and Port Richey. If you are facing a criminal charge related to an HTO designation or need help getting your license reinstated, a skilled St. Petersburg Habitual Traffic Offender Lawyer from our team is here to help.
Learn more about St. Petersburg habitual traffic offender cases. Call Hersem Law at 813-251-7291 (Tampa) or 727-384-4357 (Clearwater) to schedule your free consultation. You can also reach us anytime through our contact page. Let us help you take the first step toward restoring your driving privileges.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a habitual traffic offender in Florida?
A habitual traffic offender in Florida is someone who accumulates three or more serious traffic-related convictions or 15 moving violations within a five-year period. This results in a five-year revocation of your driver’s license.
How do I remove an HTO designation in Florida?
You may be able to remove an HTO designation by challenging past convictions, correcting errors on your driving record, or requesting a hardship license after one year of suspension. Consulting a criminal defense attorney is crucial to exploring your legal options.
Can I get a hardship license if I am an HTO in Florida?
Yes, after one year of an HTO revocation, you may be eligible for a hardship license. You must complete an Advanced Driver Improvement (ADI) course and apply for a hearing with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
What happens if I am caught driving with an HTO revocation?
Driving while your license is suspended under an HTO status is a third-degree felony in Florida. You could face up to five years in prison, heavy fines, and an extended license suspension.
How can a lawyer help with a habitual traffic offender case?
A lawyer can review your case, challenge wrongful HTO designations, defend against criminal charges, and help you obtain a hardship license. Seeking legal representation as soon as possible can increase your chances of protecting your driving privileges.
