What happens if a Judge finds you Guilty after a Trial on a Traffic Ticket? ~ AVVO.com ~ Best Answer ~ Call Michael A. Haber, Esq. @ **ARRESTED

That said, you enjoy the same 3 options that anyone cited in Florida for a non-mandatory court appearance traffic citation enjoys: A) Pay it (in which case you will get points assessed on your driver license); B) Elect driving school (in which case points will NOT be assessed, but you can only do this 5 times in your life and cannot do it 2 times within any 12 month period); or C) Set it for Court and challenge it. In all 3 events you face fines ad court costs on top of what I have outlined, and, regardless of which you choose, in all 3 cases you must make an election within 30 days of issuance of the citation.

In my opinion, the best defense for any traffic citation anywhere is to hire a local traffic ticket lawyer. I can’t speak to the Sarasota area per se but in Miami, Fl, where I have been a practicing criminal defense lawyer for 23+ years, there are many skilled and experienced traffic lawyers who know the law, the procedure, the Judge and probably the cop. In short you will almost certainly get both competent representation and a better result for a relatively small fee / investment.

I hope that I have been helpful in answering your question.