I have experience in defending racing on the highway cases in Orange County, Seminole County and throughout the entire Central Florida area. I examine each a case for a lack of evidence or conflict in evidence that would support not filing formal criminal charges. Once hired, I will:
- Evaluate the facts of your case;
- Collect and review all witness statements & video evidence;
- Identify any possible defenses;
- Negotiate with your prosecutor for a dismissal or reduced charges, and
- Do whatever is necessary to avoid a conviction.
Racing on the Highway Statue
The offense of racing on highways, commonly called “Street racing”, “Drag racing” or “racing on the highway” is defined in Section 316.191, Florida Statutes. Broadly speaking, ‘racing’ can include four categories of conduct:
Racing, Competitions, and Exhibitions– driving any vehicle (including motorcycles) in any race, speed competition, speed contest, drag race, acceleration contest, speed exhibition, acceleration exhibition, or speed record;
Coordination and Facilitation– participating in, coordinating, facilitating, or collecting moneys at any location for any race, competition, contest, test, or exhibition;
Passenger Participation– knowingly riding as a passenger in a race, competition, contest, test, or exhibition; and
Traffic Interference– purposefully causing the movement of traffic to slow or stop for any race, competition, contest, test, or exhibition.
The Facts of Your Racing on the Highway Case Matter
The 4th Amendment of the United States Constitution guarantees that people be free from unreasonable searches and seizures. It is important for you to know if your rights were violated.
- Is there any video evidence of this incident?
- Did the police officer observe you racing on the highway?
- Were there witnesses to this incident?
- Were you read your Miranda rights?
- Were any of your statements illegally obtained?
- Is there a lack of evidence or a conflict in the evidence?
Penalties for Racing on a Highway
- Up to a $3,000 fine
- Probation
- Community Service
- Driver’s License suspension or Revocation
- Up to 1 year in jail
- Points on your License
- A conviction or permanent criminal record.
Defenses to Racing Highways
There are many legal and factual defenses available to contest a racing charge in Florida. Common examples include the following:
- Police officer did not actually witness or fully witness the incident;
- Lack of proof of competition;
- Witness testimony contradicts the officer’s allegations;
- Ordinary traffic infractions mistaken for ‘racing;’
- Careless driving or other non-criminal traffic maneuvers (i.e. passing, accelerating, changing lanes);
- Officer’s current allegations are contradicted by his own citation/arrest report;
- Actual speed of the vehicle(s) is not consistent with an allegation of ‘racing.’
- Lack of proof as to the defendant’s intent;
- Intent to race on part of the other driver, but not the defendant;
- Lack of proof that more than 1 vehicle was involved in the alleged ‘competition;’
- Alleged conduct not encompassed by the statutory definition of ‘race.’
AGGRESSIVE RACING ON THE HIGHWAY OF AN ACCIDENT REPRESENTATION
If you were recently arrested or charged with a racing on the highway offense, please call my Winter Park criminal defense law firm at 407-740-7275 to discuss your options. I offer a free consultation so that I can learn about you, learn about your case and determine how I can help.
I have experience in defending racing on the highway cases in Orange County, Seminole County and throughout the entire Central Florida area. I examine each a case for a lack of evidence or conflict in evidence that would support not filing formal criminal charges. Once hired, I will:
- Evaluate the facts of your case;
- Collect and review all witness statements & video evidence;
- Identify any possible defenses;
- Negotiate with your prosecutor for a dismissal or reduced charges, and
- Do whatever is necessary to avoid a conviction.
Racing on the Highway Statue
The offense of racing on highways, commonly called “Street racing”, “Drag racing” or “racing on the highway” is defined in Section 316.191, Florida Statutes. Broadly speaking, ‘racing’ can include four categories of conduct:
Racing, Competitions, and Exhibitions– driving any vehicle (including motorcycles) in any race, speed competition, speed contest, drag race, acceleration contest, speed exhibition, acceleration exhibition, or speed record;
Coordination and Facilitation– participating in, coordinating, facilitating, or collecting moneys at any location for any race, competition, contest, test, or exhibition;
Passenger Participation– knowingly riding as a passenger in a race, competition, contest, test, or exhibition; and
Traffic Interference– purposefully causing the movement of traffic to slow or stop for any race, competition, contest, test, or exhibition.
The Facts of Your Racing on the Highway Case Matter
The 4th Amendment of the United States Constitution guarantees that people be free from unreasonable searches and seizures. It is important for you to know if your rights were violated.
- Is there any video evidence of this incident?
- Did the police officer observe you racing on the highway?
- Were there witnesses to this incident?
- Were you read your Miranda rights?
- Were any of your statements illegally obtained?
- Is there a lack of evidence or a conflict in the evidence?
Penalties for Racing on a Highway
- Up to a $3,000 fine
- Probation
- Community Service
- Driver’s License suspension or Revocation
- Up to 1 year in jail
- Points on your License
- A conviction or permanent criminal record.
Defenses to Racing Highways
There are many legal and factual defenses available to contest a racing charge in Florida. Common examples include the following:
- Police officer did not actually witness or fully witness the incident;
- Lack of proof of competition;
- Witness testimony contradicts the officer’s allegations;
- Ordinary traffic infractions mistaken for ‘racing;’
- Careless driving or other non-criminal traffic maneuvers (i.e. passing, accelerating, changing lanes);
- Officer’s current allegations are contradicted by his own citation/arrest report;
- Actual speed of the vehicle(s) is not consistent with an allegation of ‘racing.’
- Lack of proof as to the defendant’s intent;
- Intent to race on part of the other driver, but not the defendant;
- Lack of proof that more than 1 vehicle was involved in the alleged ‘competition;’
- Alleged conduct not encompassed by the statutory definition of ‘race.’
AGGRESSIVE RACING ON THE HIGHWAY OF AN ACCIDENT REPRESENTATION
If you were recently arrested or charged with a racing on the highway offense, please call my Winter Park criminal defense law firm at 407-740-7275 to discuss your options. I offer a free consultation so that I can learn about you, learn about your case and determine how I can help.
