I occasionally here potential clients overlook the severity of a marijuana case. I here things like “they will probably legalize it soon”. That might be true but that does not mean they will legalize all marijuana possession. It also doesn’t change the federal government’s position on drug charges. Some of the collateral consequences of a marijuana charge come from Florida such as a 2 year driver’s license suspension if adjudicated guilty. Other collateral consequences come from the federal government such as blocking federal student loans. Possession of more than 30 grams (not 20) or two marijuana possession cases regardless of the amount can cause serious immigration issues that can result in deportation. If marijuana is legalized for medical purposes that will not be much help for those already convicted. People in Florida go to prison all the time for possessing drugs that have a legal medical purpose. Legalization of marijuana will provide security from future prosecution for those with a valid prescription but that might not be helpful for many recreational smokers. Marijuana attorney Kevin J. Pitts handles Daytona Beach marijuana cases, DeLand marijuana cases, Seminole County marijuana cases, Flagler County marijuana cases and Orlando marijuana cases. In Florida possession of marijuana under 20 grams is a first degree misdemeanor punishable by a maximum of 12 months of probation, 1 year of county jail or any combination of the two and a $1,000 fine. If adjudicated guilty DHSMV will suspend your driver’s license for 2 years. Federal aid including student aid can also be cut off if convicted of simple possession of marijuana. Florida’s laws on marijuana might change in the near future but currently Florida has some of the toughest marijuana laws in the country. Even if Florida legalizes it that would not change the federal government’s war on drugs. It will only make it less likely that those with a valid prescription would have it waged against them. We will also likely see an expansion of marijuana DUI laws if Florida legalizes it. A prior marijuana could increase the likelihood of a DUI investigation during traffic stops if legal limits for impairment are established. Without a legal limit for impairment marijuana DUI cases are currently difficult for prosecutors. If you are accused of possessing, selling, cultivating, distributing or trafficking in marijuana contact attorney Kevin J. Pitts for a free consultation.
Monthly Archives: December 2013
Osceola County Speeding Ticket Statistics
In 2012 approximately 6,177 of the 28,145 speeding tickets went in front of a judge or hearing officer in Osceola County. 485 speeding tickets were dismissed based on the officer not showing up, not listing the speed detection device and serial number on the citation or various other mistakes or defects that can result in dismissal. Of the 5,692 citations able to survive dismissal only 4 speeding ticket that went to hearing resulted in a not guilty disposition. Most drivers are able to avoid points in Osceola County by retaining a traffic attorney and requesting a hearing. For more information on speeding tickets in Kissimmee or the surrounding area contact Osceola County traffic ticket attorney Kevin J. Pitts.
Flagler County Speeding Ticket Statistics
In 2012 approximately 338 of the 2,760 speeding tickets went in front of a judge or hearing officer in Flagler County. 56 speeding tickets were dismissed based on the officer not showing up, not listing the speed detection device and serial number on the citation or various other mistakes or defects that can result in dismissal. Of the 282 citations able to survive dismissal only 1 speeding ticket that went to hearing resulted in a not guilty at hearing. Most drivers are able to avoid points in Flagler County by retaining a traffic attorney and requesting a hearing. For more information on speeding tickets in Flagler County contact Daytona Beach traffic ticket attorney Kevin J. Pitts.
Orlando Area Speeding Ticket Statistics
In 2012 approximately 10,856 of the 53,981 speeding tickets went in front of a judge or hearing officer in Orange County. 2,978 speeding tickets were dismissed based on the officer not showing up, not listing the speed detection device and serial number on the citation or various other mistakes or defects that can result in dismissal. The shocking statistic is that only 1 speeding ticket that went to traffic court out of over 10,000 was found not guilty at hearing. It’s understandable that an officer is not going to stop the wrong car most of the time or make up a story to give a random driver a speeding ticket but these numbers are a little shocking. Most drivers are able to avoid points by requesting a hearing. For more information on speeding tickets in Orange County contact Orlando Traffic ticket attorney Kevin J. Pitts.
Fighting A Suspended License Case By Collateral Attack
When you are accused of driving as a habitual traffic offender you can be charged with a third degree felony in Florida. A third degree felony is punishable by up to 5 years prison and/or 5 years of probation or any combination of the two not to exceed 5 years. The maximum fine for a third degree is $5,000. Often the designation as a habitual traffic offender occurs from prior criminal driving on a suspended license tickets. It can also occur by paying a suspended license without knowledge ticket or tickets. In many cases paying a civil infraction causes the HTO designation. Daytona Beach suspended license attorney Kevin J. Pitts can collaterally attack the prior suspended license cases. This can eliminate the prior convictions avoiding the designation as a habitual traffic offender and getting your license back. The state can still go forward based on State v. James, 928 So. 2d 1269, 1270 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 2006) but will often times be willing to negotiate a favorable resolution if the accused comes to court with a valid license. Attempting to overturn prior convictions is not easy and should not be attempted without the assistance of an experienced driving on a suspended license lawyer. Attorney Kevin J. Pitts has years of experience as a former prosecutor and criminal defense attorney handling suspended license cases. If you have a suspended license case in Flagler County, Volusia County, Seminole County, Orange County or Osceola County contact suspended driver’s license attorney Kevin J. Pitts today. An experienced attorney can help get you out of the court system and back on the road with a valid license. Mr. Pitts can be reached at 407-883-6853 or 386-451-5112 to set up a free consultation.
Daytona Beach Driving On A Suspended License Attorney
As a Daytona Beach suspended license attorney I frequently see the problems a suspended license can cause. Driving is not a right in Florida but it is difficult to function without a driver’s license. With a tough economy and a constant increase in the cost of traffic tickets, insurance and other fees associated with maintaining a valid license it’s no surprise that thousands of people are charged with driving on a suspended license in Volusia County, Seminole County, Orange County and Flagler County. Driving on a suspended license is an offense that can get more serious after each conviction.
Driving While License Suspended is an enhanceable offense in Florida. This means that the maximum penalties increase if you have been previously convicted of this offense. When the driver does not have knowledge of the suspension a non-criminal traffic infraction will be issued. Even a suspended license without knowledge will count towards becoming a habitual traffic offender. If it is your first driving while license suspended case with knowledge you will be charged with a second degree misdemeanor. This means it is punishable by up to sixty 60 days in jail and/or six 6 months of probation. The second offense of Driving While License Suspended or Revoked will be charged as a first degree misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail and/or one year of probation. The second offense will be charged as a first degree misdemeanor regardless of whether one received a withhold of adjudication on the previous offense. A third offense or more will be charged as a third degree felony, punishable by up to five years in state prison and/or five years of probation with the Department of Correction.
In addition to the criminal ramifications described above, a collateral consequence of driving while license suspended is a qualifying offense for making one a habitual traffic offender or HTO. If you have three qualifying offenses, you may be designated a habitual traffic offender and lose your license for a period of five 5 years with no ability to get a hardship license for the first year. If you are arrested for driving on a habitual traffic offender suspension you can be charged with a third degree felony, punishable by up to five years in state prison and/or five years of probation with the Department of Correction. Attorney Kevin J. Pitts also handles Seminole County suspended license cases and Orlando suspended license cases.
Daytona Beach DUI Attorney 