Florida Racing & Stunt Driving Lawyer
A racing charge isn't a traffic ticket. It's a criminal case that can take your license for up to four years. We fight to protect your license, reduce harsh penalties, and keep your record clean.
What Counts as Racing Under Florida Law?
Florida Statute § 316.191 covers more than drag racing. It includes street takeovers, stunt driving, and even organizing or facilitating the event. The law applies to drivers, passengers, organizers, and anyone who helps set it up. It also covers "street takeovers," where a group blocks traffic to perform stunts like drifting or spinning ("donuts").
You can be charged even if you never raced. Organizing the event, filming it, or blocking traffic for it can all fall under the same statute as driving in it.
What Happens If You're Convicted?
A first offense is a first-degree misdemeanor: up to a year in jail, a $500–$1,000 fine, and a one-year license revocation. Penalties escalate fast from there:
First offense: Up to one year in jail, a $500–$1,000 fine, and a one-year license revocation.
Second offense within five years: Minimum fine of $1,000, a two-year license revocation, and possible jail time.
Third or subsequent offense: Mandatory fine of $2,500, a four-year license revocation, and the vehicle may be forfeited.
Spectators: Even watching a race without participating can result in a citation and fines.
Can a Racing Charge Be Reduced or Beaten?
Yes. Racing cases often come down to whether the state can prove you were competing, not just driving fast. The statute defines racing broadly, but to convict, prosecutors must show you willfully participated in a race. Driving fast alone isn't enough.
These cases are built on police observation, video, and interpretation, all of which can be challenged. Defenses include:
Arguing you weren't involved in the race itself
Challenging the accuracy of radar or dash-cam evidence
Negotiating the charge down to a noncriminal speeding ticket
Why Hire a Lawyer Instead of Handling It Yourself?
Because a conviction here isn't a fine you pay and move on from. It's a criminal record and years without a license. This isn't the kind of charge a ticket app or online payment portal can help with. Ticket Shield is lawyer-led, not an app, a ticket mill, or a chatbot. Every racing case is reviewed by an attorney who knows how these charges get built and where they fall apart.
We investigate three things on every case:
Whether law enforcement followed proper procedure
Whether your conduct actually meets the legal definition of racing, or was just speeding
Whether the traffic stop itself was constitutional
Our goal is to minimize penalties, protect your license, and keep asset forfeiture off the table. We also represent spectators fighting citations, so a night in the wrong place doesn't follow you.
Charged With Racing? Talk to a Lawyer Before You Do Anything Else.
Don't wait for a court date to find out what you're facing. Call (561) 821-6189 or Submit Your Case now. The sooner we're involved, the more options you have.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is racing a felony in Florida?
No. A first offense is a first-degree misdemeanor, not a felony. It can become a more serious matter on repeat offenses, especially if the vehicle is forfeited.
Can I lose my license just for watching a race?
Yes. Florida law allows citations for spectators, even if you never got behind the wheel.
Will a racing charge show up on a background check?
Yes, if convicted. It's a criminal misdemeanor, not a civil infraction, so it appears on standard background checks unlike a routine speeding ticket.
Can a racing charge be reduced to a speeding ticket?
Sometimes. If the evidence doesn't clearly show willful participation in a race, it may be possible to negotiate the charge down. This depends heavily on the specifics of your case.
Do I need a lawyer for a first racing offense?
Yes. Even a first offense carries jail time, a year-long license revocation, and a criminal record. This isn't a citation you pay online and forget.
