Reviewed by Michael P. Maddux, Esq. | Board Certified Criminal Trial Lawyer | Florida Super Lawyer for 16 Consecutive Years

New Florida motor vehicle and criminal traffic laws are bringing significant changes to offenses involving vehicles, law enforcement encounters, and public safety. These updates expand law enforcement authority in certain situations and increase penalties for a range of offenses, making it more important than ever for drivers to understand their rights and responsibilities.

Fleeing or Attempting to Elude Law Enforcement (HB 113)

House Bill 113 changes the requirements for law enforcement vehicles involved in pursuits. Under the new law, officers no longer need to display agency insignia on their vehicles in certain fleeing or eluding situations. The bill also increases the severity ranking for specific fleeing-related offenses under Florida’s Criminal Punishment Code, potentially leading to harsher sentences upon conviction.

Motor Vehicle Offenses and License Plate Violations (HB 253)

HB 253 increases penalties for several vehicle-related offenses. The law makes it a more serious crime to use certain vehicle lighting improperly and elevates penalties for altering, covering, or obscuring license plates. Knowingly altering or tampering with license plates, registration certificates, or validation stickers is now a second-degree misdemeanor. The law also criminalizes buying, selling, or using devices designed to conceal license plates.

Tampering with Electronic Monitoring Devices (HB 437)

This legislation revises penalties for tampering with electronic monitoring devices. It establishes specific penalties for individuals under 18, requires automatic revocation of pretrial release for those who tamper with monitoring devices while on release, and allows courts to issue new bonds under defined conditions.

Leaving the Scene of a Crash Involving Property Damage (HB 479)

HB 479 authorizes courts to order restitution when a driver leaves the scene of a crash involving damage to another person’s vehicle or property. A violation constitutes a second-degree misdemeanor, and courts may require convicted drivers to compensate affected property owners.

DUI, BUI, and Homicide Offenses (HB 687)

House Bill 687 increases penalties for DUI manslaughter, BUI manslaughter, and vehicular or vessel homicide when the offender has prior qualifying convictions. The law also requires officers to inform individuals that refusing a breath or urine test can result in criminal charges. A first refusal is now a criminal offense, and Florida’s Criminal Punishment Code severity chart ranks it accordingly.

These new Florida motor vehicle and criminal traffic laws significantly raise the stakes for drivers and individuals facing criminal charges. At the Law Office of Michael P. Maddux, P.A., we closely monitor changes in Florida law to protect our clients’ rights and provide informed, aggressive defense when it matters most.