Move Over Ticket Lawyer Florida

Common Defenses to a Move Over Violation

Florida’s Move-Over Law establishes harsh penalties for violations. However, our experienced move-over law attorneys can use the following defenses to fight your ticket:

Unsafe to Move Over

One common defense is that it was unsafe or impossible for you to comply due to traffic conditions. For example, on a congested multi-lane road, moving over one lane could increase the risk of a crash with another vehicle. Or, on a two-lane highway, a collision with other cars, or in heavy traffic, slowing to 20 mph below the speed limit might be impractical. You might argue that you exercised reasonable caution under the circumstances.

However, evidence is needed, such as dashcam footage or witness testimony, to support this claim. Retain our move-over law attorney today if you believe it was impossible to follow the law safely in the incident.

Challenging Police Officer Evidence

Another defense involves questioning the accuracy of the citing officer’s observations or the evidence presented. You may argue that the stopped vehicle lacked visible warning signals, such as flashing lights, hazard lights, or emergency signage, which are required to trigger the Move Over Law.

For instance, if a disabled vehicle’s hazard lights were not functioning or flares were not visible, you might not have been obligated to move over or slow down. Additionally, errors in the citation, such as incorrect vehicle details, location, or time, can be grounds for dismissal. You can request body camera footage or the officer’s report to identify inconsistencies. However, you should have a Ticket Fighter lawyer handle this complex defense strategy.

Lack of Knowledge

Some drivers attempt to defend a violation by claiming they were unaware of the law or that inadequate signage failed to alert them to the stopped vehicle. Ignorance of the law is generally not a valid defense to a charge. That said, Florida’s 2024 expansion to include all disabled cars may lead to arguments about unclear public awareness, particularly for violations that occur shortly after the law’s update.

If the stopped emergency vehicle was obscured, you might argue you lacked sufficient time to react. However, courts typically expect drivers to remain vigilant, so the success of this defense depends on specific circumstances and supporting evidence.

How a Move Over Ticket Lawyer Can Help

Our Ticket Fighter move-over law lawyers provide outstanding legal expertise to build a robust defense against this violation. Our lawyers are familiar with the nuances of the law, including its 2024 expansion to cover all disabled vehicles with warning signals. We know how to find weaknesses in the prosecution’s case.

For example, we might argue that compliance was unsafe due to heavy traffic or that the stopped emergency vehicle lacked visible hazard lights, flares, or signage. By leveraging their knowledge and experience, we may challenge the citation’s validity, potentially leading to a dismissal or reduced penalties. Additional ways we can help with a ticket for Florida’s move over law are:

Gathering and Showing Evidence

Our skilled attorney can help collect critical evidence to support your defense. This may include obtaining dashcam or body camera footage, witness statements, or traffic camera recordings to demonstrate that moving over or slowing down for the emergency vehicle was impractical or that the officer’s observations were inaccurate.

For instance, if the citation contains errors, our lawyer can highlight these discrepancies to seek dismissal. They can also reconstruct the incident to demonstrate that you attempted to comply under challenging circumstances, such as congested roads or obscured visibility, thereby increasing the likelihood of a favorable outcome in court.

Negotiating with Prosecutors and Courts

Move over highway safety ticket lawyers at The Ticket Fighter know how to negotiate with prosecutors to reduce charges or penalties. We may be able to secure a plea deal to a lesser offense with no license points or advocate for traffic school to keep the violation off your record.

In court, our attorneys can present compelling arguments and legal precedents to challenge the ticket, especially for first-time offenders or cases with ambiguous circumstances. For instance, we may prove that you couldn’t change lanes safely. Our familiarity with local traffic courts and judges in Florida ensures effective legal strategies, whether in counties with strict enforcement or those more lenient toward procedural errors.

Avoiding Long-Term Ticket Consequences

Beyond immediate penalties, our lawyer helps safeguard your long-term interests if you are ticketed for not changing lanes. A Move Over violation can result in three points being added to your license, potentially leading to suspension and significant insurance rate increases. Our attorneys work to minimize or eliminate these consequences, preserving your driving record and financial stability.