Attached Tag Not Assigned

Florida is, among all of the States of the Union, one of the least friendly to public transportation. The residents of this state are forced to rely on motor vehicles or be relegated to a nearly nonexistent public transportation system. Anyone who has ever tried to take a train or bus from one of Florida’s major population centers to another knows the inconvenience, expense, and difficulty of that ordeal. And anyone who has tried to take public transportation within a city knows how unreliable such transportation can be. This State was developed with motor vehicles in mind in more ways than one.

Because people are essentially forced to own and operate cars to get around in Florida, our government has not hesitated to criminalize several aspects of the driving experience. Do you have too many speeding tickets? Your license will be suspended subjecting you to criminal penalties. Can’t afford Florida’s ridiculous car insurance rates? Get ready to face criminal penalties if you are caught driving without insurance. Driving under the influence is one of the most commonly charged criminal offenses in the State. Heavy enforcement of traffic criminal offenses does little to keep Floridians safe and does a lot to fill the coffers of the police and government. Traffic crimes also commonly target the least fortunate in our society and gets people caught in a cycle of crime. If you or a loved one is facing any traffic criminal offense, you should contact a dedicated St. Petersburg criminal defense lawyer immediately.

One common traffic criminal offense is known as attaching an unassigned tag. This offense is codified under Florida Statute 320.261. Under the law, it is a misdemeanor criminal offense for any person to knowingly attach a registration license plate or sticker that has been issued to a different vehicle to the vehicle that he or she is driving. Anyone found guilty of this offense faces a maximum punishment of 60 days in jail.

Attaching an unassigned tag is a criminal traffic offense that can serve as a microcosm for the criminal justice system as a whole. Like many crimes, attaching an unassigned tag is actually quite difficult to prove. In order to convict someone of this crime, a prosecutor would have to put on evidence that a witness actually saw the defendant putting the unassigned tag onto the motor vehicle in question. Simply driving a vehicle with a tag that is assigned to another car is not sufficient proof of guilt. Anyone charged with this offense should contact a dedicated St. Petersburg criminal lawyer to understand their options.

The most common way this type of case is proven is with the defendant’s own statement. Any officer can pull a car over with an improper tag. But not any officer can make an arrest based on that information alone. One of the cornerstones of the criminal justice system is that a defendant’s admissions can be used against him. In traffic criminal situations, police often try to coerce defendants into admitting to the crime when they have not observed enough evidence to make an arrest on their own. Just like any situation when you are dealing with police, you should assert your fifth amendment right to remain silent. Always assume that the police are trying to collect evidence against you.

The attorneys at Hanlon Law handle hundreds of criminal cases each day. From minor traffic misdemeanors to punishable by life felonies, we treat each case as if it is our only case because that is the way that our clients see them. See for yourself how we can help you achieve your goals in your criminal case. Call today for a consultation at 727.289.0222.