Legal Question in Criminal Law in Florida

What is the punishment or fine for driving under a canceled license violation in florida if I am an ohio resident and am holding an expired ohio license for failure to reinstate. The citation was given to me in Palm beach County. I was not under a suspension status in ohio while driving in florida. Upon returning to Ohio I reinstated my license to a valid status and then recently received a driving under suspension (violator compact) charge in Ohio due to the florida FTA. How will the state of Florida and or county courts cooperate with me and clarify the situation with me being an out of state resident. I have contacted the state of attorney comp controller and have had no luck? I know I may have many fines but what is the ultimate consequence for driving while "failure to reinstate"? Keep in mind I was not driving in florida while under active suspension in Ohio


Asked on 7/24/10, 12:11 am

1 Answer from Attorneys

Craig Epifanio Craig Epifanio, P.A.

Driving while suspended and driving while cancelled is the same statute and has the same sentence and punishment. Unlike many states, Florida will suspend your license for failing to pay a fine, so in order to clear up the Florida mess, you have to pay off all fines which in turn will be sent to Ohio as being clear and then you can get your Ohio license back. There is nothing the courts are going to do to dismiss the charge if you failed to pay or failed to appear. It is was it is. You have to deal with Florida and then deal with Ohio. It goes without saying that you are going to need legal assistance in both states to straighten this out.

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Answered on 7/24/10, 6:10 am


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