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Can I get a Miami traffic ticket dismissed if I fight it?
If the ticket is issued anywhere in Miami-Dade County, the answer is YES. In 2024, more than half of moving violations were completely dismissed in Miami-Dade’s traffic courts, according to state data.
An additional 24% had traffic court outcomes, which included no points on their license. This means that literally hundreds of thousands of people successfully fought their tickets in Miami-Dade last year.
Do the math and approximately 3 in 4 tickets in Miami are challenged in court with successful outcomes. By electing this course of action, drivers in the 305 collectively saved millions in fines and increases to their insurance premiums.
How do you fight a traffic ticket in Miami, and what are my options?
In order to get your traffic ticket dismissed, you first must request a traffic court hearing within 30 days of receiving the ticket (instructions will be on the written citation handed to you by Miami Police, FHP or the Sheriff Department.) Some Miamians choose to represent themselves in court without legal training. However, the majority of these cases are handled by experienced Miami traffic lawyers who handle the process on behalf of clients so they don’t have to spend time in court.
Here are your options:
- Pay the fine
This is the simplest option, but also the one that lingers. Paying means you admit guilt, accept the points on your license, and likely face higher insurance premiums for years to come. It’s quick, but it costs more than money in the long run. Just head to the Miami Clerk of Court website to pay and follow the instructions on the ticket. - Take traffic school
Miami Dade allows eligible drivers to complete a basic driver improvement course to keep the violation off their record. You still pay the fine, but you avoid the points and the insurance impact. Keep in mind, this can only be done once every twelve months and no more than five times total in your lifetime. - Fight the ticket in Miami Traffic Court
You can challenge the evidence, question the officer’s account, or negotiate for a reduced charge. Sometimes tickets even get dismissed entirely. You can handle the case yourself or hire an attorney to represent you, often without needing to appear in court. - Do Nothing and risk suspension
If you think you can just wait for a ticket in Miami-Dade to go away, think again. After a short period of time the state of Florida will suspend your license for not resolving a ticket.
How Much Can I Save By Fighting A Miami-Dade Traffic Ticket?
In Miami, where insurance rates are already among the highest in Florida, a single traffic ticket can push your premiums even higher—sometimes by as much as 15 percent, according to national reports. And if that’s not bad enough, drivers with any kind of moving violation on their record often end up paying up to 50 percent more than someone with a clean history. That can easily add over a thousand dollars a year to your bills, just for one mistake on the road.
Now think about this—if you fight the ticket and win, you could not only keep it off your record but also get the fine completely waived. That means zero points, no insurance spike, and no out-of-pocket penalty. Sure, every case is different, but in Miami traffic courts, people who hire experienced lawyers often walk away paying far less than if they had just paid the ticket upfront. The financial upside is real, and it adds up fast when you’re living in one of the most ticket-heavy counties in the state.
Why It’s Worthwhile To Hire A Traffic Lawyer To Fight A Miami Ticket?
If you hire an experienced traffic lawyer in Miami, you will increase your chances of a successful result and save yourself time and energy by avoiding traffic court.
Here are the main benefits of hiring a Miami traffic lawyer:
- Increase Your Chances Of A Dismissal Or Reduced Penalty – With an experienced traffic lawyer you can have a 98% chance of a successful result in Florida. This is because they law inside-out and have worked with Miami’s traffic courts and judges countless times before your case hit their desk. As we explained in the previous section, a successful result could help you avoid points, insurance hikes and financial penalties. Driving in Miami is expensive enough.
- Save Hours Of Time – Many people underestimate the amount of time it takes to go to traffic court in Miami and represent themselves. The average traffic court session could last 4+ hours and you never know where your case will be on the docket. Chances are you’ll spend a couple hours on I95 sitting in Miami traffic just going to and from court. The easy route is to hire a traffic lawyer who has spent countless hours studying traffic law. He or she will go to court for you.
It’s really that simple, if you value your time, money and legal rights, it’s worthwhile to fight your ticket using a seasoned law firm with a proven track record of resolving these cases in Miami.
What Are Common Miami Traffic Tickets and Penalties?
Sure, the fine might feel like a quick fix. Pay it, be done. For starters, the fine can sting, but the real damage sneaks up in the form of higher insurance bills, month after month. It’s common to have insurance go up over $1,000 per year just from one violation.
Common Miami-Dade Traffic Tickets & Penalties
| Violation | Florida Statute | Description | Approx. Fine* (Miami-Dade) | Points on License | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speeding 1-5 mph over posted limit | §316.183 | Slightly over the limit | ~$100-$150 (Miami-Dade average) | 3 points | Minimal over-speed; still gets moving violation treatment |
| Speeding 6-9 mph over | §316.183 | Minor speeding | ~$140-$160 (e.g., City of Hialeah: ~$144) | 3 points | Typical non-court citation |
| Speeding 10-14 mph over | §316.183 | Moderate speeding | ~$219 in City of Miami Springs (10-14 mph) | 3 points | Fine jumps significantly in local municipalities |
| Speeding 15-19 mph over | §316.183 | Above moderate speeding | ~$269 in Miami Springs for 15-19 mph over | 4 points | Higher risk of insurance impact |
| Speeding 20-29 mph over | §316.183 | Major speeding | ~$294 in Miami Springs for 20-29 mph over | 4 points | Possibly court-required depending on other factors |
| Speeding 30+ mph over | §316.183 / §318.19 etc. | Excessive speeding | Up to ~$500 fine (30+ mph over) in Miami-Dade. | 4 points (6 if crash) | Mandatory court appearance often applies in Miami-Dade for 30+ mph over |
| Running a Red Light | §316.075 / §316.0083 | Failure to stop at red signal | ~ $150-$260 depending on municipality & camera vs officer | 4 points | Many red-light camera citations in Miami-Dade; moving violation grade |
| Rolling Through Stop Sign / Failure to Stop | §316.123 | Failing to fully stop at stop sign | ~$125-$200 typical range (Miami-Dade similar to state average) | 3 points | Non-speeding moving violation; still impacts insurance |
| Failure to Yield Right-of-Way | §316.121 / 316.122 | Ignoring yield sign / improper merge | ~$125-$200 approx. | 3 points | Often cited after collisions in Miami-Dade |
| Improper Lane Change | §316.085 | Unsafe or abrupt lane movement | ~$125-$200 approx. | 3 points | Common paired with speeding offenses |
| Careless Driving | §316.1925 | Driving without due care on Miami roads | ~$160-$250 approx. | 3 points | Can escalate if other factors (accident, injury) |
| Reckless Driving | §316.192 | Willful disregard for safety | Fine $500+ / possible jail, court date required. | 4 points (and criminal record) | In Miami-Dade this is a misdemeanor; much more serious than a typical ticket |
*Fines reflect approximate local ranges in Miami-Dade county/municipalities as of current data; exact amount depends on city/town, court costs, surcharges, and any school-/construction-zone enhancements.
What’s the smart move to resolve a Miami traffic ticket and keep it off your driving record?
In a lot of cases, fighting the ticket in Miami is actually the best all-around option. You can take this on yourself by scheduling your hearing and going to traffic court. Or hiring a lawyer might sound expensive, but when you consider the time investment and risk of bloated insurance premiums, the math usually favors fighting ALL tickets using a lawyer.
Why is The Ticket Clinic is the most logical choice to fight every Miami traffic ticket?
We are the largest traffic law firm in Florida, with over 35 years in the business and 6 office locations in Miami.
Miami is our backyard. Our company was founded in The 305 in 1987.
Our lawyers have resolved millions of cases with a 98% success rate.
We’re affordable, starting at just $49 having experienced legal help doesn’t have to break the bank.
Hiring us is easy, just text a photo of your ticket to 305305 for a fast and free quote.
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The Ticket Clinic Team
We are the largest law firm in the United States to focus soley on traffic-related offenses and traffic tickets. Over +35 years in business, we have developed deep knowledge about traffic court procedure and traffic laws. Our goal is to help keep drivers stay informed about legal issues that could affect them on the road. In our blog content, we like to explore insights in traffic ticket trends and other related issues.
