Florida’s Super Speeder Law: Charges, Penalties, and Your Best Defenses

Florida’s super speeder law is a new law that treats extreme speeding as a criminal offense rather than a simple civil infraction.

It targets dangerous excessive speeding that threatens safety for other drivers, pedestrians, and first responders.

A case that once ended with a fine can now mean a mandatory court appearance, license suspension, and even jail time.

Understanding how this law works is the first step in building a strong defense that protects your record and your future.

What Florida’s Super Speeder Law Actually Does

Florida’s super speeder law creates a new category of criminal charges for speeds far above the posted limit.

The state can file a criminal case when driving behavior shows reckless or dangerous driving, not just a mistake.

The result is criminal consequences that follow you long after the ticket is paid.

Florida Statute 316.1922 is the law most drivers need to read, and it works alongside the reckless driving statute.
Learn more here: Florida Statute 316.1922.

When a Speeding Ticket Becomes a Criminal Offense

A standard speeding ticket is a civil traffic infraction that stays in traffic court.

A super speeder allegation is different because prosecutors charge it as a criminal offense in county court.

That difference matters because a criminal conviction can bring a permanent criminal record.

It also pulls you into the criminal justice system where the rules and risks are much higher.

Why There Is a Mandatory Court Appearance

The statute requires a mandatory court appearance in most super speeder cases.

You cannot resolve it online the way civil traffic citations are often handled.

A court hearing is set soon after the traffic stop and you must attend or send a defense attorney to appear for you when rules allow.

Missing the date can trigger a driver’s license suspension and even warrants.

Penalties Florida Courts Can Impose

Jail time is a real possibility for dangerous excessive speeding, especially at extreme speeds or where a crash occurred.

Courts can order up to one year for the most serious first offense scenarios, and they are tougher on repeat offenders.

License suspension and license revocation are on the table, along with steep fines and probation terms.

Second or subsequent offenses and subsequent offenses after a prior case are punished more harshly.

Criminal Offense vs Civil Infraction

A civil infraction is handled in traffic court and usually ends with fines, points, and traffic school.

A criminal offense is handled in a different courtroom with prosecutors, discovery, and strict rules of evidence.

The difference is also practical because a criminal case can affect professional licensing, employment, and travel.

Calling it just a ticket is not accurate once a case is filed as criminal.

How Prosecutors Try to Prove Reckless or Dangerous Driving

Prosecutors look for speeds far above the speed limit and the posted speed limit at the location.

They study whether the driving behavior could prove reckless by showing willful disregard, weaving, or passing beyond safe limits.

They consider weather, traffic, and the posted limit to argue reckless behavior.

They also review statements from the traffic stop and witness accounts.

The Role of Speed Measurement and Evidence

The state must prove the driver’s speed with reliable evidence.

Police officers can use radar guns, lidar devices, pacing from a patrol car, or aircraft timing between two points.

A defense attorney can challenge the method used to measure speed, the officer’s training, and the maintenance records for the device.

If the state cannot show accurate data and valid instruments, the result can be a reduced charge or a dismissal.

Why Simply Paying Can Backfire

Simply paying a criminal ticket is a plea that creates a criminal conviction.

It can cause a driver’s license suspension, higher insurance, and a criminal record that hurts future background checks.

It can also set you up for enhanced penalties on a first conviction if you are cited again.

Talking to criminal defense attorneys before you pay protects your options.

First Offense vs Repeat Offenders

A first offense still counts as criminal and can carry jail time, probation, fines, and a mandatory court appearance.

Repeat offenders see enhanced penalties, longer suspensions, and tougher plea offers.

Courts move toward mandatory license revocation when speeds and prior offenses stack up.

Judges also look closely at prior traffic matters and traffic cases when deciding a sentence.

What Happens After the Traffic Stop

Expect a court date to be written on the citation.

Your defense attorney will enter a plea, demand discovery, and start a deep understanding review of the evidence.

That includes police reports, speed device logs, calibration certificates, and body camera footage from the traffic stop.

From there the law firm negotiates, files motions, and positions the case for the best outcome.

Defenses That Work Under Florida Law

The necessity defense can apply where a medical emergency required speed beyond safe limits.

Lawyers can attack the way a radar device or lidar device was used if the officer was not properly trained or if maintenance records are thin.

They can argue the state cannot prove reckless when the facts show speed without dangerous driving maneuvers.

They can also push to reclassify a criminal charge as a civil infraction when evidence is limited.

Why The Measurement Method Matters So Much

Pacing must be done at a constant distance and over a reasonable stretch of road.

Radar requires a clear lock on the target vehicle and current calibration.

Lidar needs steady aim and clear identification of a single motor vehicle in heavy traffic.

Aircraft timing with a visual average speed computer demands accurate lines and clocks, not guesses.

Evidence The State Must Preserve

The state must keep device maintenance records for radar units and lidar devices.

Those records must show the instrument was regularly calibrated and within safe limits on the date of the stop.

Officers need training logs and agency policies to prove the team was properly trained.

When records are missing, reasonable doubt grows.

What Counts as Reckless Driving

Reckless driving is a separate crime, and the state must prove reckless or dangerous driving beyond speed alone in many cases.

Courts look for lane weaving, following too closely, or ignoring instructions in a way that threatens safety.

Excessive speeding can be part of reckless driving but the state still has to prove reckless under Florida Statute 316.192.

A defense attorney can dispute that link and keep the case in speeding territory.

How Florida Highway Patrol Approaches These Cases

FHP focuses on interstates and corridors where speeds spike beyond the posted limit.

They use aircraft, laser, and patrol tactics to identify extreme speeding.

They aim to reduce crashes and protect the public from dangerous driving.

Understanding those efforts helps defense teams anticipate the state’s strategy.

Your Driver’s License Is at Risk

A criminal conviction can trigger driver’s license suspension even when jail is avoided.

A longer suspension or mandatory license revocation can follow if prior offenses exist.

Drivers need advice tailored to their license history because consequences differ from one driver to another.

Planning for your license is part of any strong defense.

What We Look For When We Build a Strong Defense

We confirm the posted speed limit and posted limit at the exact location.

We review the officer’s vantage point, the traffic citation details, and device logs.

We analyze whether the state can prove reckless based on what the officer wrote and what video shows.

We pressure test every step so the state must actually prove reckless and prove speed.

Why Our Experience Matters In Criminal Cases

You want criminal defense attorneys who have lived in Florida courtrooms and understand how these files move.

Our team includes a former prosecutor who knows how the other side builds speed cases.

That inside view helps us identify weak links and focus on the best leverage points early.

It also gives you a calm guide through a criminal justice system that can feel overwhelming.

How We Handle Court For You

We appear at the court hearing and keep you updated so you can keep your life moving.

We explain each step and each choice in plain English.

We pursue a reduction to a civil infraction where the facts make that possible.

We never forget that a criminal record changes a life in ways that go beyond fines.

Costs, Value, and Results

People ask how much a defense attorney costs for speeding.

Fees depend on the county, the facts, and the amount of work a criminal defense case will require.

The right law firm can keep a criminal offense off your record, prevent a driver’s license suspension, and avoid jail time.

That value is why most clients choose counsel rather than risk simply paying.

How This Interacts With Other Criminal Matters

A speeding case can collide with other criminal cases, especially where alcohol, drugs, or property damage are alleged.

We protect your rights in traffic matters and related criminal cases under Florida law.

Our firm handles a full range of criminal defense, and we coordinate issues that spill over into professional licensing, employment, or business travel.

We also advise clients who face unrelated white collar crime investigations so one case does not harm another.

Common Questions From Florida Drivers

Do I need a lawyer for a super speeder
Yes. Florida’s law is criminal and requires a mandatory court appearance. A defense attorney can fight for a reduction to a civil infraction and protect you from jail time and license suspension.

Is there a super speeder law in Florida
Yes. Florida’s super speeder law created a new category for dangerous excessive speeding. It is a criminal offense with enhanced penalties for repeat offenders and extreme speeders.

How much does a traffic lawyer cost in Florida
Fees vary by county and case complexity. Many firms offer a free consultation. The cost is often lower than the hidden costs of a criminal record, higher insurance, and time away from work.

How do I get a speeding ticket dismissed in Florida
Dismissals happen when the state cannot prove speed or reckless behavior, when records are missing, or when officers were not properly trained. Your chances rise when a former prosecutor and a focused defense team review every detail and push the right motions at the right time.

What To Do In The First 72 Hours

Write down everything you remember about the traffic stop, including speed limit signs and your posted speed limit understanding.

Save dash camera clips and map the route so your defense attorney can reconstruct the scene.

Send us a copy of the citation so we can request discovery and hold the state to its burden.

Do not discuss your case on social media while we are building your defense.

Why Our Law Firm Is Built For These Cases

We focus on criminal defense for speeding, reckless driving, and super speeder.

We manage traffic cases every day and understand the pressure of a criminal case on a busy family.

We assign a defense attorney who keeps you informed and moves fast.

We pair courtroom skills with a deep understanding of speed measurement, device records, and witness testimony.

How We Compare In The Market

Drivers often search across many firms, from large brands like Musca Law to boutique offices.

What matters is not the logo but whether the team in your corner understands Florida’s new framework and can explain it to a judge.

Ask any firm you interview how they challenge device records, how they prove reckless is not met, and how often they turn criminal charges into civil infraction outcomes.

Choose the team with answers, not slogans.

Why Language In Court Filings Matters

Words like criminal, crime, reckless behavior, and dangerous driving carry weight.

We draft with care so we defend hard without conceding elements the state must prove.

We attack the proof on speed and driving behavior while protecting your standing with the court.

That balance gets better results over time.

Your Next Step

Talk to a florida super speeding lawyer before you make a decision.

A quick call can prevent mistakes and preserve defenses that disappear if you simply pay.

We offer a free consultation and a same day review of your citation.

Bring questions and we will give you clear next steps and a plan.

Helpful Links And Resources

Read the super speeder statute here: Florida Statute 316.1922.

See how speed is measured and how devices fail here: Speed Measurement Methods.

Learn about our team and the former prosecutor who leads our traffic defense here: About David Haenel.

For broader speeding defense strategies, check our guide here: Florida Speeding Defense.

The Bottom Line

Florida super speeder cases move fast, and they move inside the criminal justice system.

A single hearing can change a future, which is why you need criminal defense attorneys who live in these courtrooms.

We bring a strong defense built on facts and the law, and we use every tool available to reduce or dismiss charges.

Call our law firm for a free consultation, and let a defense attorney handle the court while you handle your life.