Baltimore Traffic Citation Lawyer
If you assume you have to pay a fine up front for your Baltimore traffic citation, you may be pleasantly surprised to find that you do have other options. Offenders for violations from parking tickets to hit-and-run accidents may appear in court for a plea of not guilty, guilty, or guilty with an explanation. A judge may reduce the fine for someone who makes the effort to appear in court with a reasonable explanation. Bottom line, it is always the points that you want to avoid, if possible. While you will appear in court to fight or explain a citation, the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration will also be watching and awaiting the result, taking any action against your license through administrative action when appropriate.
If you plan to appear in court or have received a court summons, a Baltimore traffic citation lawyer can help you build a strong case to contest your traffic citation, and you may be eligible to request a fine reduction and avoid having points added to your driving record. Call today to discuss your case with a Baltimore traffic lawyer.
What Should I Do if I Receive a Traffic Citation?
Officials in Baltimore, MD, continue to introduce measures to address traffic violations. One such effort involved installing speed cameras at intersections to record drivers speeding or running red lights. Other initiatives to increase traffic safety include stationing police officers at dangerous intersections and “speedways.” Some people feel these measures are quite aggressive, but they are meant to increase public safety by encouraging and enforcing safe driving practices.
Traffic citations cover any ticketable offense, including, but not limited to, the following:
- Parking violations
- Exceeding speed limits
- Running a red light
- Reckless driving
- Failing to use a turn signal
- Driving too fast for road conditions
- Passing a stopped school bus
- Racing
- Overloading a vehicle
- Hit-and-run accidents
- Driving while not licensed
- Maryland DUI/DWI
One option available to you is to pay the ticket, accept any points that may be added to your driving record, and possibly receive an increase on your car insurance rates. You may also be required to appear in court if your violation has brought you a court summons. This might seem like a simple fix if you believe yourself to be guilty of the offense for which you received the ticket. Perhaps you feel that justice is served by your paying the fine. But consider this: If sufficient points are added to your driving record to cause the Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) to suspend your license, will you still consider this an easy out for your traffic violation? You may need to reconsider your situation and the potential consequences of not contesting a Baltimore traffic citation. To learn more and discuss the options at your disposal consult with a traffic citation lawyer in Baltimore today.
How Can Traffic Citations Be Contested?
Besides immediately paying the fine, you do have a second option, even if you think you are guilty of committing a traffic violation. You can plead “guilty with an explanation.” This choice gives you the opportunity to appear in court to offer an explanation for your offense. At this time, you can ask to have your fine reduced or waived and be given probation rather than a citation.
If you decide to go with the third option of pleading “not guilty,” you will have the chance to appear in court to provide evidence and witnesses for your innocence. The court may dismiss your charge, requiring you to pay only court and legal fees. But if the court finds you guilty, you will have to pay the full fine along with court and legal fees. Pleading “not guilty” also bars you from filing a plea bargain and receiving any concession you may have obtained with a “guilty” plea.
Can a Baltimore Citation Lawyer Represent Me in Court?
If you will be appearing in court to address a Baltimore traffic citation, you need to seek legal counsel at the very least. A Baltimore traffic citation lawyer who is familiar with traffic court can help you fight your charges, including providing acceptable evidence and witnesses for your case.
Should you decide to retain legal counsel, a Baltimore citation lawyer may appear with you in court as your representative and will be able to investigate your case for any error on the part of law enforcement. Mistakes are common for routine police activities and are very common with citations given through automated systems such as speed cameras. An experienced Baltimore traffic citation lawyer can find potential errors that may positively influence the outcome of your case.
Hiring a Baltimore traffic attorney can affect your chances of receiving a favorable decision, which may save you money and allow you to avoid suspension of your license.