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Let us Help with Your Florida Racing Charges

A charge for racing on the highway or illegal street racing in Florida can be very serious.

Whether you’re in Orlando or somewhere else in the state, we want to help.

Our criminal and traffic defense lawyers know how to fight your charges, so let’s start today.

What is “Street Racing” in Florida?

Section 316.191 of the Florida Statutes defines racing on highways, also known as street racing. It is a criminal traffic charge, and it can carry severe penalties.

There are four main ways to get charged with racing in the state of Florida, as defined by the statute.

• Drive any motor vehicle, including any motorcycle, in any race, speed competition or contest, drag race or acceleration contest, test of physical endurance, or exhibition of speed or acceleration or for the purpose of making a speed record on any highway, roadway, or parking lot;
• In any manner participate in, coordinate, facilitate, or collect moneys at any location for any such race, competition, contest, test, or exhibition;
• Knowingly ride as a passenger in any such race, competition, contest, test, or exhibition; or
• Purposefully cause the movement of traffic to slow or stop for any such race, competition, contest, test, or exhibition.

So you cannot be involved in an illegal street race in any way. If you are, you are likely to face criminal charges.

What Penalties am I Facing for an Illegal Street Racing Charge?

The penalties for this charge can vary based on a variety of factors. If this is your first offense, the maximum penalties aren’t as stiff as someone facing their 2nd or 3rd charge.

So what are you facing?

• First Offense
  • Fines – Minimum $500 Maximum of $1000
  • License Suspension – Minimum of 1 Year Upon Conviction
  • Vehicle Impoundment/Immobilization – Upon Arrest, Your Car May Be Impounded for 30 Days. Additional Impoundment Possible After Conviction
  • Vehicle Forfeiture – This is a Possible Outcome from a Conviction
  • Jail Time – Up to 1 Year in Jail
• Second Offense
  • Fines – Minimum $1000 Maximum $3000
  • License Suspension – Minimum of 1 Year but Longer Possibilities for 2nd and Subsequent Convictions
  • Impounded or Forfeited Vehicle
  • Jail Time – Longer Terms Possible for 2nd, 3rd, and other Charges

How Can We Defend Your Charge of Street Racing?

Fortunately, the criminal defense lawyers at Skubiak and Rivas, P.A. are able to fight your charges with a variety of defenses.

We know that all is not always as it seems, and that sometimes charges are brought against the wrong people. In other cases, an individual may get caught up in the moment and have had a lapse in judgment. Whatever your situation, we can help.

There are a variety of ways we can get your charges reduced or even dismissed. These include, but aren’t limited to:

• Contradictions Between Officers Current Allegations and the Arrest Report
• The Officer Didn’t Witness the Full Incident
• Witness Testimony
• Failure to Prove Intent
• Failure to Prove Competition Existed
• The Other Driver Was Attempting to Race, but You Were Not
• Failure to Meet Requirements to Prove Incident Was a Race
• Careless Driving Mistaken for Racing
• Other, Non-Criminal Traffic Infractions Misinterpreted as Racing
• Speeds Inconsistent with Racing

This is an example of some of the defenses that can be used to fight your charges. Each situation is unique, so call us or fill out a form on line so we can discuss your case at length.

Reach out to a Criminal Defense Attorney

Our team is experienced in handling a wide variety of criminal matters, especially those related to traffic. We know how to take the fight to the DA, and we won’t rest until we have a positive outcome for your case.

Reach out today by using one of the forms on the site or by calling us directly. We’ll review your case for free.