Carroll County Speeding Ticket Lawyer
While you might not consider a speeding ticket to be a big deal, it can quickly become a significant problem in some cases, particularly if you were driving at a speed well above the posted speed limit. Repeated speeding tickets and other traffic violations can add up quickly and that costs you money in fines and court fees, increased insurance rates, and even the loss of your driver’s license in extreme circumstances.
For these reasons, it is often in your best interest to discuss your situation with a Carroll County speeding ticket lawyer and determine what your options for resolving the situation may be. Call an experienced traffic attorney today and set up a consultation.
Going to Court for Speeding in Carroll County
For minor traffic violations, such as a speeding ticket for a few miles over the speed limit, individuals do not even have to appear in court. They simply can pay the fine listed on the ticket and admit that they violated the law. The courts treat this as a guilty plea or finding of guilty by a court, and the applicable number of points are automatically assessed to their driving records.
The only way to challenge speeding tickets is to go to court. Even individuals who have no defense to the allegations of speeding might do this in certain cases. For example, if the police officer who issued the ticket or a necessary witness does not show up to the court date, the judge is likely to dismiss the ticket altogether.
For those individuals who do have a potential defense to the speeding ticket, they have the opportunity to explain their side of the story to the judge. After hearing the evidence, the judge can find the individuals guilty as indicated on the ticket, reduce the fine or points, change the charge, or even dismiss the ticket. When challenging a ticket, it is essential to obtain the services of a Carroll County speeding ticket lawyer.
Another option for resolving a speeding ticket may be to request Probation Before Judgment. This process, if successful, will leave individuals with no additional points on their driving records.
Possible Penalties for Speeding
For a first speeding ticket, individuals can be ordered to pay up to $500 in fines and could have their driver’s licenses suspended for two years or less. There also points assessed on individuals’ driving records every time that they receive a traffic ticket, for speeding or for other traffic violations. For speeding tickets, the Code of Maryland Regulations §11.17.13.00 sets forth the points that are assessed to driving records for speeding tickets as follows:
- One point – one to nine miles over the speed limit
- Two points – 10-19 miles over the speed limit
- Three points – 20-29 miles over the speed limit
- Five points – 30-39 miles over the speed limit
- Five points – 40 miles or more over the speed limit
Keep in mind, as well, that speeding tickets that individuals receive in other states will also appear on their Maryland driving records. This is because Maryland is a party to the Driver License Compact, which is found at Maryland Transportation Code §§16-701 through 16-708. The penalties for a traffic offense can add up, therefore, it is important for an individual to consult with an experienced lawyer.
Contact a Carroll County Speeding Ticket Attorney for Advice
When you need advice about a speeding ticket that you have received, you should consult with a Carroll County speeding ticket lawyer. While it admittedly seems easier to just pay the ticket and move on, you could end up paying far more than the ticket, which is usually pretty expensive on its own.
Therefore, it makes sense to call an experienced speeding ticket lawyer in Carroll County to look into the various options that may be available to you.