Beware of the following matters.
Open Container
The City of Gainesville prohibits possession of opened bottles or cans, flasks,
cups, or glasses containing any amount of alcohol on all city streets, sidewalks,
or parking lots, including the entire University of Florida campus. Open-container
violations are punishable by up to 60 days in jail and a fine of up to $500.00!
Fake IDs
Under Florida's recently revised fake id statutes, many fake-id charges are third-degree
felonies punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000.00!
Underage Drinking and Driving
The drinking age in Florida is 21 years of age. Underage possession of alcohol is
punishable by up to 60 days in jail and a fine of up to $500.00! Drivers under 21
with a .02 blood-alcohol level will lose their driver's license automatically for
6 months. If you weigh less than 250 pounds, one 12-ounce beer, five ounces of wine,
or one shot of liquor will give you a blood-alcohol level of .02 to .04. If you
refuse to take a breathalyzer, your license is automatically suspended for one year.
Bicycles
When riding a bicycle on a street, you must obey all traffic signs and signals such
as stop signs, red lights, and one-way street signs. Tickets cost $92.00. Failure
to pay the fine will result in a suspension of your driver's license until the fine
and additional fees are paid. You may be able to attend the University Police Department's
Bicycle Traffic Safety School in lieu of paying the assessed fine. Contact University
Police Department Community Service Division at 392-1409 for details.
Speeding
Florida speeding tickets range in price from $130.00 for 10 over the limit to $280.00
for 30 or more over the limit. These prices are doubled in school zones and construction
areas. Waldo, Lawtey, and Chiefland strictly enforce speed limits.
Disabled Parking and Fire Lanes
Both the City of Gainesville and the University of Florida are cracking down on
parking in disabled spots. On campus, one ticket costs $250.00. You will also be
arrested for misuse of a disabled-parking permit.
Student Judicial Affairs @ The Dean of Students Office
Students who are arrested by the University Police Department will also be referred
to Student Judicial Affairs for violating the Student Conduct Code. Penalties range
from reprimands and conduct probation to suspension and expulsion and may include
the loss of university privileges such as parking and season tickets.
Caveat
The Florida Bar does not guarantee in any way the success of the plan and gives
no assurances of the quantity and quality of legal services to be provided. Total
responsibility for the delivery of services rests with the sponsor and staff attorneys
in the individual attorney-client relationships.