A criminal traffic offense is a much more serious matter than a minor traffic infraction in which you are given a citation for you actions involving a motor vehicle which warrants a simple traffic ticket. A criminal traffic offense may include jail or prison time if convicted, or if you accept a plea to avoid a more severe penalty if a trial goes to the jury.
When charged with a criminal traffic offense, you have rights which must be aggressively protected to ensure you have every available legal resource used at your disposal to prove your innocence, or to achieve the best possible resolution relating to the charges against you.
An experienced criminal traffic attorney & lawyer will ensure you are fully aware of your legal rights and options for you defense regarding the charges against you. When it is not possible to have the charges dropped, reduced, or negotiate an acceptable plea, The Law Office of Gail Cheatwood, P.A., will ensure the prosecution is held to the burden of proving beyond a reasonable doubt the charges against you were warranted. We will hold all evidence, witness statements, and the actions of law enforcement under a microscope, while aggressively protection your legal rights.
If a criminal traffic offense involves the death of another, the charge may be Vehicular Homicide or Vehicular Manslaughter which, depending upon the circumstances of the crime, may result in up to 15 years in prison and permanent license revocation. If the offender leaves the scene of the crime or does not make a reasonable attempt provide assistance to the victim the penalties may be increased or they may face additional criminal charges.
It is important to realize that when law enforcement arrives on an auto accident scene where a death has occurred, many times their immediate presumption is that the deceased is the victim, and you are the criminal offender. Due to the nature of the accident, adrenaline, and the immediate confusion regarding the accident, it is important to seek experienced legal counsel before making any statements which may be taken in the wrong light, leading to you being arrested any defending yourself against charges which may have been unwarranted in the first place.
Your reputation is not the only thing at stake when facing criminal traffic offense charges or other criminal offenses, but your liberties, rights, freedom as well. It is well documented that those who are innocent have been known to have served or are currently serving time in our County Jails and State Prisons. You should make every effort to ensure you are not one of these statistics. Seek experienced legal counsel to stand up and fight for your legal rights, giving you the best opportunity to be treated fairly by the criminal justice system.
LAW OFFICE OF
GAIL CHEATWOOD, P.A.
2000 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland, Florida 33801
PHONE: 863.686.0975