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Orlando Defense Attorneys for Habitual Traffic Offenders

Receiving more than one traffic conviction within a five-year period matters in Florida. That is because Florida law contains a habitual traffic offender (HTO) provisions. Under Florida Statutes, § 322.264, an HTO is described as:

“Any person whose record, as maintained by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, shows that such person has accumulated the specified number of convictions for offenses described… within a 5-year period.”

Section 322.264 goes on to describe the specified convictions. If you accumulate enough convictions, you can have your license suspended and even revoked. Convictions outside the state of Florida also count toward being an HTO.

Orange County Criminal Defense Lawyers

At The Law Office of Corey I. Cohen & Associates, we can help defend you if you are on the verge of getting your license suspended due to being a habitual traffic offender (HTO) or you are wanting to get your license reinstated. Even if you have lost your license as an HTO, you can still ask for a “hardship license” through the Administrative Review Office.

Our Orlando habitual traffic offender lawyers have the experience to contest any traffic violations you are facing. We will always do whatever we can to get your ticket dismissed. For a free consultation, call 407-246-0066 or 888-390-8937, or contact us online.

HTO Offenses

You can be deemed an HTO if you are convicted of three or more of the following offenses within a five-year time period (keep in mind each conviction must have arisen out of a separate act):

  • Voluntary or involuntary manslaughter resulting from the operation of a motor vehicle
  • DUI
  • Any felony in the commission of which a motor vehicle is used
  • Driving a motor vehicle while your license is suspended or revoked
  • Failing to stop and render aid as required under the laws of this state in the event of a motor vehicle crash resulting in the death or personal injury of another or
  • Driving a commercial motor vehicle while your privilege is disqualified

In addition, if you are convicted of 15 or more of “point-system” offenses within a five-year time period, you are also considered an HTO. Some of these offenses include:

  • Reckless driving, willful and wanton — four points
  • Leaving the scene of a crash resulting in property damage of more than $50 — six points
  • Unlawful speed resulting in a crash — six points
  • Passing a stopped school bus — four points
  • Unlawful speed: not in excess of 15 miles per hour of lawful or posted speed — three points
  • Unlawful speed: in excess of 15 miles per hour of lawful or posted speed — four points
  • A violation of a traffic control signal device — four points
  • All other moving violations — three points

Penalties

A person found to be an HTO faces a three- to five-year license suspension. If classified as an HTO and then caught driving even after license suspension, a person can face a third-degree felony conviction, resulting in up to five years in prison and/or a $5,000 fine.

Contact Us in Florida Today

Call The Law Office of Corey I. Cohen & Associates at 407-246-0066 or contact our firm via email to find out more about HTO penalties and whether you are at risk of getting your license revoked or suspended.