Lakeland Criminal Defense Lawyers

HTO stands for Habitual Traffic Offender. Upon being deemed a habitual traffic offender, the Department of Motor Vehicles will revoke your driver’s license for 5 years.  There are a couple of ways that you can be deemed a habitual traffic offender in Florida: 1. 3 or more convictions of any one or more of the following offenses arising out of separate acts within a 5-year period: a.       Voluntary or involuntary manslaughter from driving a motor vehicle; b.       Any DUI violation; c.       Any felony in which a motor vehicle is used; d.       Driving a motor vehicle while your driver’s license is suspended or revoked; e.       Failing to stop and render aid as required under the laws in the event of a crash resulting in death or personal injury of another; or f.        Driving a commercial motor vehicle while t...

If you live in Polk County you have probably seen the video circulating social media of the gentleman that was supposedly resisting arrest by Lakeland police officers and therefore force was used against him.   According to the chief, that force was necessary because the gentleman was “ actively resisting ” and his resistance was even “ violent .”   This video has caused an array of opinions whether the officers’ response was justified.   What one must question is what exactly is resisting an officer without violence?   And what exactly what must one do to get charged with this crime?   Florida Statute section 843.02 defines resisting an officer without violence as resisting, obstructing, or opposing any officer in the lawful execution of their legal duty, without offering or doing violence.   I am sure that clears things up!   Therein lies the problem.   An officer just has to say that a person is opposing him or obstructing him in so...