Traffic Ticket Team

There is a popular push by people in several states to make the use of marijuana legal as a treatment for certain chronic and/or terminal conditions. Not quite as popular, but still present, is a push to legalize it completely for over the counter sale. At present, a few states have passed laws allowing doctors to prescribe for specific conditions and its sale under tight controls. Florida is not on this list. Therefore, before entering the state with pot, one should know the cannabis laws in Florida.

Marijuana related charges are progressive in severity and punitive sentencing. At the lowest level, possession of 20 grams or less is a misdemeanor. Possession of paraphernalia, such as pipes, bongs, etc. Is also a misdemeanor and can be added to the drug charge. Each carries a sentence of up to a year in jail and/or a thousand dollar fine. Delivery of less than 20 grams without receiving payment falls into this class as well.

Delivering more than 20 grams but less than 25 plants (pounds), selling any amount up to 25 plants (pounds), and possession of 20 grams to 25 plants (pounds) are all felonies. Each can be punished by a 5 year prison sentence and/or a 5000 dollar fine.

Growing or selling any amount of cannabis in close proximity to schools, parks, daycare centers, and other places where children are likely to gather can, and usually does, result in 15 years in prison and a 10,000 dollar fine. Possession of more than 24 plants (pounds) of marijuana carries the same penalty. Judges almost always hand out maximum sentences when schools and children are endangered.

One is considered to be trafficking in illegal substances if he/she grows or sells more than 25 pounds (plants). The state has established minimum mandatory sentences for any trafficking conviction. This means that judges have no latitude whatsoever in setting sentences. Even offenders who ultimately help authorities catch large traffickers will face the minimum sentences.

The minimum sentence for 25 plants up to 2000 plants (pounds)is 3 years in prison and up to a 25,000 dollar fine. 2000 to 10,000 plants (pounds) is punishable by not less than 7 years in prison and a 50,000 dollar fine. The minimum sentence possible for amounts of marijuana in excess of 10,000 plants (pounds) is 15 years in prison and a 200,000 dollar fine.

One will lose his/her driver’s license to suspension for a period of not less than 6 months nor more than 2 years if convicted of any drug related charge. This includes misdemeanor possession as well as the various felonies. This is in addition to any other punishments handed out by the court system for the various charges.

One can now obtain a prescription from a doctor for marijuana to treat certain conditions in a few states. Florida is not one of these states. Knowing the cannabis laws in Florida is is important to anyone considering carrying the drug into the state or growing it there. Anyone convicted of trafficking in pot will face certain minimum mandatory prison sentences and monetary fines. Judges have no leeway in sentencing these offenders. Jason@TrafficTicketTeam.com, www.TrafficTicketTeam.com, 954-967-9888

Traffic Ticket Team www.trafficticketteam.com

A popular phone app could help you avoid a pricey speeding ticket. Sounds like the kind of program police wouldn’t embrace, but that’s not necessarily the case. When Art Acevedo took over as Austin police chief, one of his first orders of business was to eliminate the daily news releases about where APD was running radar. However, the Travis County Sheriff’s office is embracing new technology and the concept that the more information the public has, the safer the roads will be.  It’s not uncommon to see law enforcement officers armed with radar guns aimed at oncoming drivers. Now with a simple check of the app on a 3-G phone or by going on line, Central Texas drivers can know in advance where deputies with the Travis County Sheriff’s Office will be running radar. ”It’s simply a way for us to communicate with the public the areas where they need to slow down and comply with the speed laws. The added benefit is notifying people if there is some change in the road conditions that affects their safe driving,” said Roger Wade, the public information officer for the Travis County Sheriff’s Office.  The Trapster App also alerts drivers to flooded roadways or accidents that could delay their trip, but the main focus is on radar detection.  ”The bottom line is we want to make the roads safer for Travis County and this is another tool that will do that,” said Wade. The question seems to be whether it’s better to let the public know where radar is being run or not.  Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo prefers not to give advance notice. ”It kind of defeats the purpose of being out there,” said Acevedo. “We want people to know that we were working it but telling them the specific roadways was a little counterproductive for us.”  Drivers we spoke to were split.  ”Yeah I think it is a good idea and I probably would use it,” said John Egan. ”If you know we are running late for work or if I am in a hurry, we would want to know there is going to be a cop around the corner. I will slow down,” said Sean Munoz. ”Some people are going to have radar detectors anyway and they are going to find out if they want to find out,” said Diane from Austin. “But most people are not going to take the time to look into something.”  Drivers can add data to Trapster, just like the Travis County Sheriff’s office does — but if it’s inaccurate, it can be taken down.  By the way, Roger Wade tells us his office doesn’t make any money off Trapster. The app is free of charge.  However, if you get caught speeding, you should call the Traffic Ticket Team, www.trafficticketteam.com, to fight your Florida Traffic Ticket. Call us anytime to fight your traffic ticket at 954-967-9888, Law Offices of Jason A. Diamond, P.A. and Diamond, Kistner & Diamond.

We all remember when we got our driver’s license. It’s one of life’s great moments, a giant step toward adulthood. Decades later comes a related rite of passage that generates considerably less enthusiasm: the day you stop driving. Most older drivers are aware when that time is approaching. They recognize their diminishing skills; maybe they have a close call or sometimes can’t find the way home. Most relinquish their keys or make concessions to age and adjust their driving patterns. But others, no matter how many times they get lost, blow stop signs or get honked at by fellow motorists, want to keep that grip on the wheel. ”I think most people understand the point when it’s unsafe for them to drive,” says Moraine Byrne, senior vice president for Covenant Retirement Communities, a nonprofit organization. ”They’re more often afraid they might hurt someone else. They make the decision on their own or cut way back.” Giving up driving can be difficult. People fear a loss of independence and the ability to participate in longtime activities. They worry about being able to do their shopping, visit friends or keep doctor appointments. All good points, all needing to be addressed during any family discussion. ”Unless there’s a real emergency, I recommend the family plan to start the conversation slowly,” Byrne suggests. “Ask questions, [don't] come in with a set plan in mind, but come in with an open mind so the parent doesn’t feel they’re being attacked. You really need to have several conversations, unless there is an emergency situation. You have to have respect for a parent’s position.” When the evidence is in, the family may realize that stopping cold turkey isn’t warranted. If a person’s skills are only starting to erode, there are alternatives.  Curtail higher-risk driving situations, for example. Recent research from the MIT AgeLab and The Hartford found that 69 percent of drivers older than 75 and 58 percent of those 65 to 74 self-regulate their driving. That means avoiding driving at night or rush hour, taking only familiar routes, limiting trips to a certain distance, and keeping off expressways and highways. Then there are classes where older drivers can brush up on their skills. AARP (aarp.com) offers a classroom and online course aimed at older drivers.  ”I’ve known several people who have taken it who said it helped them remain focused and helped them to think differently,” Byrne says. “I’ve looked at the course work, and it looks like a tremendous program.” Stress fitness. Research by the National Institute on Aging, published in 2008 in the Journal of General Internal Medicine, suggests that physical conditioning helps maintain the performance of older drivers, decreasing errors by more than a third.  The test subjects participated in an exercise program to improve flexibility, coordination and speed of movement relevant to driving. Even with those efforts, a driver’s deterioration is sometimes unmistakable. Pop cruises the expressway at 25 miles an hour, or pulls into the garage without bothering to open the garage door first.  Problems can also be less obvious. Has pop’s insurance rate increased? Has he received recent traffic tickets? Inspect the car; are there fresh and/or unexplained dents? Does driving leave him exhausted or frazzled? Does he take medication that might affect his driving? If Mom, Dad or a Grandparent gets a ticket and you still want her or him to drive, please feel free to call the Traffic Ticket Team,www.trafficticketteam.com, at 954-967-9888 for a free consultation.