Accumulating too many points or convictions from traffic tickets can result in license suspension or even a felony arrest. Driving while your license is suspended or revoked (DWLSR) has two categories:

• DWLSR with knowledge is driving a vehicle when the state can prove that you know your license is suspended or revoked and results in your arrest and possible jail time.
• DWLSR. without knowledge is driving a vehicle when you were unaware that your license was suspended or revoked and is a civil infraction that results in a traffic ticket and three points.

In Florida, either of these offenses carry three points and one strike towards being labeled a habitual traffic offender (HTO) upon conviction. The HTO classification results in a five-year license revocation and if you are arrested for DWLSR again, the case will be a felony, punishable by up to five years in state prison.

If accused or arrested, all is not lost. Either type of DWLSR case must be proven beyond and to the exclusion of all reasonable doubt. That means you have a right to a trial, confrontation of your accuser, and a host of evidentiary rights. Do not pay your ticket, fight it with the help of a competent defense lawyer such as Albert M. Quirantes at the Ticket Law Center, P.A. who can inform you of your options regarding the available defenses in court, fight for your rights, and possibly regain your driving privilege.

An aggressive traffic criminal defense practitioner like Albert M. Quirantes can help

• Work out payment plans if you have a suspension due to an accident judgment
• Set aside license suspensions due to failure to appear or unpaid fines
• Reset the matters for court, to get you an immediate hardship license
• Set aside or vacate prior convictions when legally feasible.