Two separate lawsuits involving red-light cameras in Aventura and Temple Terrace, Florida have officials in Pembroke Pines worried that their Broward city could be next. Critics of the red light cameras assert that the cameras violate drivers’ due process rights. A few months earlier, Florida’s legislature killed a bill that would have allowed municipalities to install red-light cameras at intersections. In response to these concerns, city officials are working to amend their contact with American Traffic Solutions (ATS) so that ATS would shoulder part of the burden of any lawsuits. Last March, Pembroke Pines became the first city in Broward County to fine drivers for speeding using red-light cameras. The first camera is at Pines Boulevard and 129th Avenue. They have since added five more, and violators are fined $125. Twelve other Broward County municipalities are either researching this option or are about to vote on it. Hollywood, Fort Lauderdale, and Hallandale Beach have all approved red-light camera programs, despite it being a legal gray area. If you get a traffic ticket for a red light camera, you don’t need to worry about points on your license, but the fines are hefty. If you need some advice, please call me at (954) 967-9888 or email me at jason@trafficticketteam.com
Browsing Posts tagged Soliciation of Prostitution
This was a question from a client. “I was involved in a car accident and received a citation. How can the officer issue a ticket for something that he didn’t observe?” The important thing to know is that the officer can only PROVE his case in court through the testimony of the other drivers or through the testimony of lay witnesses who may have witnessed the accident. Regardless of what may have been said at the accident scene, once a hearing is elected then the Judge will only consider the live in-court testimony in rendering his/her decision. This is called the “accident report privilege.” What that means is that anything said at the scene of the accident is immaterial. It’s only what happens in the courtroom that matters, and if there are no witnesses against you at trial, your case will be dismissed. In fact, if all the witnesses appear but the officer doesn’t, then your case will be dismissed at trial as well. The second most common accident question is “I was involved in an accident and although a deputy arrived on the scene first, a long period of time passed until the Florida Highway Patrol trooper who issued the ticket appeared on the scene. Why did it happen that way?” The Florida Highway Patrol is just that, a highway patrol agency whose sole purpose is to enforce the traffic laws in the State of Florida and to investigate traffic crashed in the unincorporated areas of the State. So when there is an accident in many areas of the State, a deputy sheriff will arrive on the scene first and call for a trooper to investigate the crash. The Trooper will issue any citations for any violations that they believe was committed. So whether you think the ticket is your fault or not, call us to fight your accident ticket or you will automatically get points on your license. So if you get charged with anything from a traffic ticket to any criminal charge, call the traffic ticket team or go to www.TrafficTicketTeam.com. Our traffic ticket team of lawyers have handled over 1 million traffic tickets and Jason Diamond has presented traffic ticket clinics before audiences for over ten years.
South Florida is a vacationer’s paradise. Beaches, clubs, nightlife abound. Our resort area hotels draw many successful businessmen from around the country and the world. Imagine this scenario: Alcohol flows after hours. Your judgment gets a little impaired. An attractive woman starts flirting with you. In the course of it she makes you an offer. You flirt back, maybe say something you don’t really mean or intend….next thing you know you’re being arrested for solicitation of prostitution. Unfortunately, law enforcement targets “known” areas for prostitution sting operations. While it is laudable that law enforcement is aggressive in enforcing Florida prostitution and solicitation laws, could you have been a victim of entrapment? Entrapment is the act of inducing a citizen to commit a crime he or she ordinarily wouldn’t have considered. Usually some form of pressure or coercion is used. Or maybe you acted on your own bad judgment. Should you pay the rest of your life by having a permanent criminal record? For a conviction of prostitution or solicitation in Florida, punishments can include jail time, fines, community service, counseling, etc. Sometimes, an automatic license revocation may occur. First time offenders face up to a maximum $500 fine and up to 60 days in jail. Second time offenders face up to a minimum of $1000 fine and one year in jail for a solicitation or assignation of prostitution charge. Some first offenders may be eligible for a diversion program wherein the charges will be dropped against you if you successfully complete the program. So if you are charged with Solicitation, call us for a discreet consultation. So if you get charged with anything from a traffic ticket to any criminal charge, call the traffic ticket team or go to www.TrafficTicketTeam.com. Our traffic ticket team of lawyers have handled over 1 million traffic tickets and Jason Diamond has presented traffic ticket clinics before audiences for over ten years.
