Maryland Traffic Ticket Attorney

Have you been unfairly ticketed? A Maryland citation can result in points on your driving record, higher insurance premiums, a substantial fine or lead to the delay, suspension or revocation of your license. You have rights as a driver and the freedom to drive is a necessity of life that is worth fighting for.

If you want to contest your citation don’t do it alone. The court process is time consuming and confusing to the inexperienced and unwary. The bottom line is: If your license is important to you then don’t fight the ticket by yourself.

At Riley Legal we expect to get every citation dismissed or all points waived in every case. We are committed to the vigorous defense of your freedom to drive.

DON’T PAY A TICKET THAT COULD BE DISMISSED

Don’t plead guilty. Riley Legal has years of experience fighting tickets and knows how to obtain dismissals of tickets and dismissals of points. The process is simple: save time, save money, save energy and obtain a dismissal. Paying a ticket that could be dismissed is highway robbery!

• Since my citation doesn’t have a big fine, shouldn’t I just pay it? The answer is no. Payment of a citation is an admission of liability and points can be imposed. While some Maryland tickets may appear to be harmless infractions, paying a moving violation ticket can raise your insurance premiums and create a negative entry on your driving record. For instance, according to CarInsurance.com, rates go up 26% to 43%, on average if you are found liable for speeding.

• If the officer who issued my citation doesn’t show up will my ticket be dismissed? Yes. However, most of the time police officers actually appear in court. Hoping the officer does not show up is not realistic plan or a legal strategy, its a prayer! Retain Riley Legal to aggressively fight your citation at a contested hearing.

• It’s my first ticket in a while, won’t a judge give me break? Not necessarily. A court may consider different factors such as the nature of the facts or your interaction with the police officer to make decisions regarding the amount of the fine and whether points should be waived or traffic school imposed.

Maryland Citations

Citations allow for a prepayment and/or forfeiture of the preset fine. Most traffic offenses in Maryland carry criminal sanctions, i.e., fines, probation, and/or jail, as well as administrative sanctions, i.e., imposition of points and/or suspension or revocation of driving licenses or (for out of state residents) driving privileges.

There are two types of traffic violations in Maryland, "payable" and “must appear". You have a payable violation when the officer checks the second box under “Notice to Appear” on your handwritten citation or the "Payable Fine" box on the electronic version. “Must appear” violations are major or jailable motor vehicle citations and “payable” violations are minor motor vehicle citations that are not punishable by jail time. 

Payable Offenses

Most of the “payable” or minor offenses carry a maximum fine of $500. The citations for minor violations allow for a prepayment off the preset fine. You have three options if you receive a payable traffic citation; (1) pay the fine, (2) plead “guilty with an explanation” and appear for a waiver hearing or (3) request a trial date and appear for trial. If you choose not to pay the fine, you must request either a waiver hearing or a trial, at which you will be required to appear in person to dispose of your case. If you do not respond WITHIN 30 DAYS to one of the three options, MVA will be notified and may take action to suspend your license. Failure to both pay and attend court results in a suspension of the driver’s license or privilege to drive. Drivers are allowed to post the collateral after missing a court date and may request a new trial date. Posting the collateral results in withdrawal of the suspension. Forfeiture of collateral results in a conviction and the imposition of points if the offense carries points. A driving while suspended conviction for failing to pay a ticket or appear in court is subject to a 60-day jail term and a $500 fine.

If you choose to pay the fine on your citation, the charge will become part of your driving record. The Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) may assess points on your license.

Must Appear Citations

Major motor vehicle offenses may not be prepaid. The alleged offender must appear in court. Most major offenses carry either two months or one year in jail, a $500 or $1,000 fine, and 8 or 12 points. Such violations include driving while suspended or revoked, hit and run, fleeing and eluding, driving without insurance and driving while under the influence of alcohol. In Maryland the accused has a statutory right to a jury trial for any offense in which the penalty exceeds 90 days imprisonment. A probation before judgments protects a defendant from the assessment of points and suspension, or revocation of the driver's license or privilege as a result of the violation

Most traffic offenses are subject to a one-year statute of limitations. The only exceptions are automobile manslaughter, homicide while under the influence of alcohol, and homicide while impaired by alcohol. Those offenses carry a three-year statute of limitations.

If you are convicted of a vehicle-related law violation in Maryland, the Maryland District Court will notify the MVA of the conviction. The MVA then applies the appropriate points to your driver record. Points are assessed as of the date of the violation. Assessed points are retained for a period of two years from the date of violation. The MVA can take action for points accumulated within any two-year period. More information can be found here.

Reliable Legal Help

Importantly, if you have been arrested or received an incarcerable citation in MD. you should understand that in addition to your court case you also may face separate civil sanctions and collateral consequences at the MD MVA. In addition to the creation of a criminal record, a conviction for a traffic offense could result in; a negative entry on your driving record, the imposition of points, the suspension or revocation of your license, an increase in your car insurance, the loss of employment or security clearance and/or jail time. Also some charges such as DUI may not ever be expunged from your record.

Due to the fact that most traffic offenses carry criminal and administrative sanctions it is essential for you to obtain legal counsel who will provide a vigorous defense and a comprehensive legal strategy that addresses all the consequences of your case. 

If you have been served with a MD. "Traffic Citation" do not delay. A failure to respond to a ticket could result in a finding of liability or the suspension of your license or privilege to drive. Driving on a suspended license is a criminal misdemeanor punishable up to 1 year in jail in MD. Do not pay the ticket if you want to contest the citation, regardless of whether you are only disputing the penalty; payment of any portion of the citation is an admission of guilt and will eliminate your ability to challenge it.