In October 2011, an off-duty Miami police officer made headlines when he sped past a state trooper at 120 mph on the Florida Turnpike in Broward County and then did not immediately stop when signaled to do so by the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) trooper.
The six-year Miami police force veteran was charged with reckless driving, which is a misdemeanor punishable by a maximum of 90 days in jail. Now, according to The Palm Beach Post, he has been offered a plea deal. If he pleads no contest or guilty and pays a fine and court costs, prosecutors will not pursue jail time. He may be required to pay a maximum fine of $500 as well as the state's case and trial costs which total $3,300. The judge is considering keeping the conviction off of his record.
If the speeding officer does not take the deal, he will face the original reckless driving charge as well as a second one for fleeing from the FHP trooper. Aside from potential criminal consequences, the officer will likely face disciplinary action from the police department. An investigation initiated by the Sun Sentinel revealed that the officer in question was the most frequent speeder out of a pool of approximately 800 South Florida law enforcement officers.
Traffic offenses can carry severe consequences. If you have been arrested or cited for a traffic offense, the aggressive Florida traffic violation defense attorneys at Musca Law can provide you with the effective defense you need to avoid unlawful charges. Contact us today at (888) 484-5057 for a confidential consultation of your potential case.