Arrest by the Plant City Police Department

If you were arrested by an officer with the Plant City Police Department for any felony or misdemeanor offense, including driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, then contact an experienced criminal defense attorney at the Sammis Law Firm.

The Plant City Police Department has jurisdiction over an area of approximately 28 square miles and a population of about 37,000 residents. Under the leadership of Edward Duncan, Chief of Police, the City of Plant City police department employs approximately 68 sworn law enforcement officers and more than 20 civilian employees.

The Traffic Management Unit of the Plant City Police Department focuses on traffic law enforcement and traffic crash investigation. The traffic unit is a part of the Uniform Patrol Division which has approximately 48 sworn officers and operates on a 24-hour basis.

Unlike in larger police departments with specialized DUI enforcement officers, patrol officers in Plant City generally conduct their own investigations into drunk or drugged driving. Not only do the officers have less training, but they often do not have dashboard or body-worn cameras.

Attorneys for an Arrest in Plant City, FL

The DUI defense attorneys at the Sammis Law Firm represent clients arrested for driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol in Plant City, FL, and the surrounding areas in Hillsborough County, FL. We also represent clients charged with other types of serious felony and misdemeanor offenses.

We are familiar with the tactics used by law enforcement officers at the Plant City Police Department and the standard operating procedures of their agency. For more than ten years, we have been fighting criminal and DUI cases in the courthouse in Plant City, FL.

Let us put our experience to work for you. Call today for a free consultation to discuss your pending charges, the potential penalties, and the best ways to aggressively fight the criminal charges.

Call 813-250-0500.

Plant City’s Traffic Unit for DUI Investigations

The goal of the Traffic Unit in Plant City, FL, is to help traffic moves safely and efficiently throughout the City. The unit also investigations cases involving:

• Hit and run;
• Leaving the scene of a crash;
• DUI with property damage;
• DUI with personal injury; and
• DUI with serious bodily injury or death on the streets and highways.

The police officers in the Plant City Traffic Unit have received specialized training as Traffic Homicide Investigators. That training includes how to conduct traffic crash reconstruction.

Officers on the traffic unit in Plant City also participate in Community Oriented Policing activities and other functions throughout the community.

Traffic Stops by Officers in Plant City, FL

One of the main responsibilities of the traffic unit is conducting traffic stops for the following types of issues:

• Criminal investigation when the officer suspects the vehicle or occupants to have been involved in a crime;
• Safety violations such as no seat belts or children not in car seats;
• Equipment and/or registration violations; and
• Moving violations such as reckless driving, failure to maintain a single lane or speeding.

Read more about the procedures used by the Planty City Police Department and how officers on the Traffic Unit conduct DUI investigations.

How Do I Obtain a Crash Report in Plant City, FL

If you are involved in a crash in Plant City, a police officer with the Plant City Police Department or Florida Highway Patrol might complete a crash report. If a criminal investigation occurs, then the investigating officer will write a police report. Supplemental reports might also accompany the main report. The police reports and crash reports are usually submitted to the Plant City Police Department within five (5) days of the accident or investigation being completed.

After a car accident, the police officer might provide a business card or case number to anyone at the scene. For the first 60 days after the accident, the police report and crash report will remain confidential, although certain parties are entitled to an early copy including the parties, their attorneys or representatives, insurance adjusters, or qualified media members.

According to Florida Statute Section 316.066, any Police Report less than 60 days old must be obtained using a Sworn Statement, a copy of the current photo identification, and proof of exemption that allows access. After the 60 day deadline has passed, the Police Reports are deemed public records and may be obtained without identification, sworn statement, or proof of exempt status.

To obtain a police report from the Records Unit of the Plant City Police Department you must pay $2.00 per copy with $.15 per page for 1-sided pages and $.20 per page for 2-sided pages. A certified copy costs $1.00 per page. The fees are payable by cash, check, or money order.

To request the report in person, make sure that 3-5 business days have passed since your accident. You may go to the Plant City Police Department Records Unit in person to obtain your copy of the Police Report.

To request the report by mail, send a letter with your request for the police report or crash report. If you are within the first 60 days of the date of the crash, you must include: a copy of the driver’s license to verify your identity and involvement in the accident, the case number, the notarized Sworn Statement, a check in the amount of $2.00 (payable to Plant City Police Department) and a self-addressed, stamped envelope. After 60 days, the report is public record and no identification or sworn statement is required. Instead, only the $2.00 check and SASE is required,

Anyone, knowing that he or she is not entitled to obtain information made confidential by Florida law, obtains or attempts to obtain such information, can be charged with a felony of the third degree.

Additional Resources

Traffic Unit in Plant City for DUI Investigations – Visit the website for the government in Plant City to learn more about the local police department established in 1885. Find out how it conducts traffic and drunk driving investigations. Learn more about units within the Uniform Patrol Division.

Plant City Police Department on Facebook – Follow the Plant City Police Department on Facebook to learn more about upcoming events, job postings, public announcements, and traffic alerts. The police department’s posts often request community assistant in identifying wanted suspects or finding fugitives.