According to Harvard Health Watch, the average person spends 5 years of their life behind the steering wheel of a car. That computes to roughly 7% of their lifetime. If you lose your license to drive, you could face severe, incapacitating consequences. For instance, if you reside within a metropolitan area, your most likely mode of travel could become practically non-existent without your driver’s license. This unfortunate consequence is commonplace under Florida’s Habitual Traffic Offender Statute. A conviction under this statute may ultimately earn you a 5 year (possibly 7% of your lifetime) reversal of your license to drive.
Under Florida’s Habitual Traffic Offender Statute, any person who has been tried and convicted of “3 serious traffic offenses” or “15 moving violations” both of which can occur in any state in the U.S., at any point in time within a period of 5 years can be considered as “habitual traffic offender.” Events that constitute “serious traffic offenses” include: vehicle offenses resulting in severe injury or in the worst case, death or any other felony motor vehicle infringements. If an offender drives under a suspended driver’s license, they will, in effect, be in violation of Florida Traffic Laws.
The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will send out notification to drivers who have had their licenses reversed in accordance with Florida’s Habitual Traffic Offender Statute. It is imperative to take action once you receive notification of your license reversal. You will have a very small window of opportunity to file an appeal in order to challenge the reversal of your license. Failure to take action could result in the continuation of the original 5 year suspension. You may be able to file for a “hardship license” after a 12-month period of time, which may allow you to travel for work or business, but the specific license will only be granted if you are able to prove the suspension of your license has caused a significant financial hardship to you and your family.
Under the Florida Habitual Traffic Offender Statute, you may be convicted of a third-degree felony (punishable by a 5-year maximum sentence in prison and $5000.00 of a maximum fine) if you are charged with driving at any time while your license to drive is rescinded. Conviction under this statute could seriously affect your life in other ways, e.g., losing your employment because of lack of transportation or the suffering of family members who may depend on you to transport them to school or school-related activities. This conviction has serious and lasting effects, not just for you, but for those who may depend on your support. A knowledgeable attorney may be able to help you appeal the suspension of your license or petition for restoration of your license when your 5-year sentence has concluded. A dedicated and experienced Florida DUI attorney will work hard to protect your best interests and you privilege to drive.
