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Speeding Tickets

A speeding ticket is a common occurrence in Palm Beach and Broward County, but too many drivers assume that a ticket automatically means that they must pay. Any traffic violation can be disputed, and you can take steps to protect your driving record. Enlisting the help of an experienced traffic attorney can help you successfully fight off a speeding ticket, no matter the circumstances.

Speeding Ticket Lawyer for Palm Beach and Broward County, FL

If you received a speeding ticket in any circumstances, don't hesitate to call us at (561) 557-8686. The attorneys at Meltzer & Bell, P.A. represent clients on speeding tickets issued throughout Palm Beach County and Broward County. This includes the communities in and around Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Boyton Beach, Pompano Beach, and nearby areas.

At Meltzer & Bell, P.A., “The Traffic Stop,” our experienced traffic ticket attorneys offer a money back guarantee — no points, no school or your money back. Some restrictions apply, and court costs and fees may apply, in addition to the attorney fee.

Information Center for Speeding Citations in Florida

• Speeding Fines in Palm Beach County
• Speeding 50 MPH or More Over the Limit
• Fighting a Speeding Ticket in Traffic Court
• Types of Electronic and Mechanical Speed Measuring Devices
• The Officer's Testimony About Excessive Speeding Tickets

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Speeding Fines in Palm Beach County

If you pay the fine, then you are admitting guilt and will be adjudicated guilty of the speeding ticket. Points will be accessed to your driver's license. The fines for speeding tickets vary depending on the miles over the limit alleged on the citation and whether the violation occurred:

• In a construction zone with workers present; or 
• In a school zone.

Fines for Speeding, or Speeding in a Construction Zone (Workers Not Present)

 (unless mandatory court appearance required)
Fines for Speeding in a School Zone or Construction Zone (Workers Present)

 (unless mandatory court appearance required)

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Speeding 50 MPH or More Over the Limit

A person who is accused of exceeding the speed limit in excess of 50 miles per hour faces much higher fines. If the speed is not reduced and the judge finds the person guilty of the offense as charged on the citation, the court must impose a fine of $1,000 for a first conviction or $2,500 for a second conviction.

Upon the second conviction, the court shall revoke the driving privilege for a period of one year. A third offense can be charged as a third-degree felony with a maximum fine of $5,000, up to five (5) years in Florida State Prison and a 10-year driver's license revocation. See s. 316.1926(2) and s. 318.14(13).

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Fighting a Speeding Ticket in Traffic Court

In any speeding ticket case, the goal is avoiding a conviction. A conviction will result in points on your driver's license and a possible increase in your insurance premiums. By avoiding a conviction you can save money and protect your driving privilege.

In order to understand the allegation against you, it is important to understand the elements that must be proven in court for any speeding ticket. A conviction for a speeding ticket require prove beyond all reasonable doubt of the following elements:

• the established speed zone;
• the defendant was operating a vehicle in that zone;
• the vehicle speed was excessive; and
• the reliability of the determination of the vehicle’s speed by a speed measuring device.

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Types of Electronic and Mechanical Speed Measuring Devices

According to Florida's Traffic Court Rule 6.445, if the officer who issued the citation used an electronic or mechanical speed measuring device then the type of device and manufacturer’s serial number must be written in the body of the citation. At least five different types of speed measuring devices are used in Florida. Those different types of speed detection devices include the following:

• Radar
• Laser
• Pace Clock
• Vascar, and
• Airplane with stopwatch.

This rule that requires the type of speed measuring device to be noted on the citation took effect in 2010. The traffic court rule committee decided that the rule was needed so that the person accused could adequately prepare a defense. The committee believed that listing the information was not unduly burdensome for the law enforcement officer.

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The Officer's Testimony About Excessive Speeding Tickets

At trial, the officer will attempt to testify about the excessive speed, but that testimony is only admissible if the officer lays a proper foundation for the testimony. The proper foundation for an excessive speed case requires the officer to:

• show that the officer has sufficient training and experience to competently operate the electronic or mechanical speed measuring device as required by Florida Statute Section 943.17(1)(b);

• show that the officer made an independent visual determination that the vehicle was operating in excess of the posted speed limit; and

• show that the circumstances of the observation permitted the officer a reliable way to determine a speed to be assigned to a single vehicle.

Additional factors must be established statutorily prior to the speeding violation to be admissible. At trial, the officer must testify about the speed which is often noted on the citation. For example, the notation might read “69/55.”

Although the officer will testify about the speed, the defendant does not have to be found to have exceeded the speed limit by a specific number of miles per hour. Instead, any proof of speed in excess of posting is unlawful.

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Finding a Speeding Ticket Attorney in Fort Lauderdale

Being cited for speeding does not guarantee that you will be penalized. You can fight your ticket, and the attorneys of Meltzer & Bell, P.A. can help you. With our experienced lawyers on your side, we can defend your driving record and keep you from paying steep fines.

Call us today at Meltzer & Bell, P.A. if you've been served a ticket for speeding in cities across South Florida, such as West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Pembroke Pines, Hollywood, Delray Beach, Boca Raton, Coral Springs, and Pompano Beach.

This article was last updated on Friday, May 5, 2017.