Unusually Low Bail for Habitual Traffic Offender

Michael S. Waters, 28, of Polk City was released from jail on $7,000 bail instead of $75,000.  Waters is a habitual traffic offender (HTO), which means that he has been caught driving on a suspended license more than three times in the last five years.  Waters struck 42 year old Norman Shepherd with his van while he was driving on a suspended license, left the scene involving serious bodily injury, and possessed a firearm as a convicted felon.  A mistake in the paperwork allowed Waters to post the $7,000 bond and get out of jail.  Due to the mistake, Waters was able to post the unusually low bond before the official papers were processed and the mistake caught.  The Lakeland Ledger reports that the Shepherd family is upset, and for good reason.  A summary of Waters' recent driving history is posted on the website for the Lakeland Ledger.  Shepherd is still hospitalized with serious injuries.  Shepherd suffered multiple leg and arm fractures (compound), facial lacerations, broken ribs, a collapsed lung, and a CAT scan showed internal head/brain injuries caused by bleeding.

Attorneys from Moody Law serve the greater Central Florida area, including Lakeland, Winter Haven, Auburndale, Bartow, Haines City, Lake Alfred, and all of Polk County.  Please give us a call if you have any questions regarding an injury or visit us at www.moodylaw.com.  The consultation is free and the information on our website regarding auto accidents or bicycle accidents is free.