One of the most common traffic offenses leading to a suspended license is driving under the influence (DUI). An immediate administrative license suspension typically follows a DUI arrest, with an additional suspension imposed upon conviction. Other offenses, such as fleeing and eluding police officers, can also result in mandatory license suspensions. Furthermore, discretionary suspensions can be applied in certain cases and crimes.
Should you find your license suspended, seeking legal counsel is crucial. An experienced attorney could potentially guide you through your case and help prevent the suspension.
However, not all causes for license suspension are criminal. Sometimes, an accumulation of points from simple traffic tickets can result in a suspension. In Florida, a point system is used, where accruing more than 12 points in 12 months leads to an automatic suspension. This threshold increases with more points accumulated over extended periods.
Another critical factor is the designation of "habitual traffic offender." This status applies to individuals convicted of three or more traffic-related crimes within five years. Common offenses leading to this designation include DUIs, leaving the scene of an accident, and fleeing or eluding. Once labeled as a habitual traffic offender, you face a mandatory five-year license suspension. Any subsequent driving offenses, even something as minor as driving on a suspended license, could be upgraded to a felony.
Therefore, if you receive a notice from the Department of Highway Safety Motor Vehicle or the court system about a potential habitual traffic offender designation, it is extremely important that you contact an experienced attorney immediately.