What Is a “Wheel Witness” in Fort Lauderdale?

If you have been charged with a traffic offense in Fort Lauderdale, you might encounter many new, confusing phrases. One of these phrases is “wheel witness.” What exactly is a wheel witness? Why are they important, and what role could they have in your case? While internet research is certainly a positive first step, a criminal defense attorney in Fort Lauderdale may be able to provide more targeted guidance based on your unique situation.

Wheel Witnesses Explained 

A wheel witness is someone who saw you behind the wheel of your vehicle while you were committing your alleged offense. In Florida, prosecutors must prove you committed a crime beyond reasonable doubt. This requires them to establish you were behind the wheel at the time of your offense. This might not always be clear, especially if your vehicle was caught on camera with no indication of who was behind the wheel. For example, the window may have been too dark to see who was driving.

Virtually anyone can act as a wheel witness. The most obvious example is a police officer, but other drivers could potentially be wheel witnesses as well. For example, a driver may have seen you get out of your vehicle after crashing.

What Happens if There Is No Wheel Witness? 

If there is no one who can testify that you were behind the wheel at the time of your offense, you could potentially avoid conviction. This is a viable defense strategy for many driving offenses, including DUIs.

Even if you remained at the scene after your accident, there may be doubt as to whether you were actually driving the vehicle. Many drivers become distraught and exit their vehicles after crashing. If a police officer finds you sitting by your vehicle, there may be no way to tell whether you were driving at the time of the crash.

To make things even more interesting, prosecutors may need to find a wheel witness even if you admit to committing the driving offense. This concept is known as corpus delicti, and it means that even if you admit to a crime, these statements cannot be used against you if there is insufficient evidence of your offense.

Despite this form of legal protection, it is always a good idea to remain silent after police arrive at the scene. You are under no obligation to make any statements until you first meet with your lawyer. After you enlist the help of a criminal defense lawyer in Fort Lauderdale, you can approach this situation in a strategic, confident manner.

Find an Experienced Traffic Defense Lawyer in Fort Lauderdale 

If you’ve been searching for an experienced criminal defense lawyer in Fort Lauderdale, look no further than Haber & Blank, Attorneys at Law. We have considerable experience with various traffic offenses, including vehicular manslaughter, driving under the influence, and speeding. With our help, you can navigate this legal process with confidence and make sense of complex terms like “wheel witness.” To continue this discussion in more detail, book a consultation today.

Sources: 

clickorlando.com/news/local/2021/07/26/what-does-wheel-witness-mean/

clickorlando.com/traffic/2021/10/21/can-i-get-a-ticket-if-someone-records-video-of-me-speeding/