How to Fight a Traffic Ticket in Maryland

A traffic ticket in Maryland is an official order issued to an offending road user. These tickets usually demand that the alleged offender appear in court, fulfill financial obligations, or both. Traffic tickets are either payable or non-payable. Payable traffic tickets are those that can be resolved by the option of fines. Non-payable tickets almost always contain fines but require a mandatory appearance before a court of law. Maryland law enforcement officers have the responsibility of maintaining order on the road networks of the state. As such, traffic tickets may be issued by the Maryland State Police or the local authorities across the cities and counties. Either way, a ticketed individual in Maryland has one of two options:

• To plead guilty
• Not guilty

A not-guilty plea requires that the ticketed person fight the ticket in court. On the other hand, a guilty plea involves the offender paying a fine to resolve the ticket. Ultimately, offenders who admit guilt may have a conviction recorded against their driving record. However, a conviction could be detrimental to employment opportunities, lead to increased vehicle insurance premium rates, or suspension of the offender's driving privileges.

Public records (including those pertaining to traffic violations) can also be accessed through third-party aggregate sites. These websites are a convenient alternative to government-owned resources since they are typically accessible remotely and aggregate records from multiple jurisdictions in one database. To use third-party search engines, inquirers are typically required to provide the following information:

• The name of the person involved in the record, unless said person is a juvenile
• The location or assumed location of the record or person involved. This includes information such as the city, county, or state the person resides or was accused in.

Third-party sites are operated independently of government sources. Thus, record availability, accuracy, and validity may not be guaranteed.

Is it Worth it To Fight a Traffic Ticket in Maryland?

When a person receives a traffic ticket, they can decide whether to accept the charges or reject them. Alleged offenders who opt to reject the charges are typically expected to enter a not-guilty plea. If they have sufficient facts and evidence of their innocence, it may be worth contesting the ticket in the court of law. However, this decision is accompanied by the responsibility of paying for a lawyer’s services, if preferred. It is also likely to cost the individual time and other non-financial resources to prepare for and appear in court. However, most motorists favor fighting a ticket over resolving it by paying a fine since that is usually considered an admission of guilt.

Ways to Fight a Traffic Ticket in Maryland

The process for fighting a traffic ticket is essentially the same whether the ticket is from the state agency or the municipal police authorities. The individual may plead not guilty and request a trial. Not all traffic citations require a court appearance. However, any contest against a ticket may require a court appearance. When the person receives a ticket, they are typically required to check the ‘request a trial’ box, sign, and date it. The ticket may then be mailed to:

District Court Traffic Processing Center
P.O. Box 6676
Annapolis, MD 21401

The District Court responds by mailing the individual a date to appear in court. At the court, the issuing officer is expected to testify, and then the alleged offender may present their side of the case. Individuals have the option of getting the services of a lawyer or appearing in person. They may also present witnesses or other supporting evidence. However, it is the responsibility of the defendant to notify witnesses of the date, time, and address of the trial. After hearing both sides, the judge reviews the case and decides, based on law, whether the defendant is guilty. If found guilty by the judge, the defendant has a right to appeal within 30 days from the trial date. The defendant bears all court costs for filing an appeal, all of which are non-refundable.

How to Fight a Traffic Ticket Without Going to Court

The rules of procedure in traffic court in Maryland do not state whether an individual can fight a traffic ticket without appearing in court. However, if there are unforeseen or urgent reasons for absence, such as a health emergency or related situations, the alleged offender may then employ the services of a legal representative, and the court may entertain the absence on its merit.

How Do You Get a Traffic Ticket Reduced in Maryland?

There are three ways to pay a traffic ticket fine in Maryland state agency:

• The first is to pay the fine in full while entering a guilty plea. Payment could be online, by calling (800) 492-2656, or by mail to:

District Court Traffic Processing Center
P.O. Box 6676
Annapolis, MD 21401

Payments should be made in person at any local District Court or at the Maryland Uniform Traffic Citation Payment Kiosk, which is available at the state’s local Motor Vehicle Administration offices.

• The second is to request to enter a payment plan based on subsection 7–504.1 of the court article. It applies to payment values of at least $150. Check the ‘request payment plan’ option for each violation on the ticket. Sign and date it. Mail it within 30 days to the above address.
• The third is to request a waiver hearing, otherwise known as a ‘guilty with an explanation’ hearing. Check the ‘will request a waiver hearing’ box on the ticket. Sign and date it. Mail it to the above address. At the waiver hearing, the defendant can request to have the fines reduced or waived altogether. There is also the opportunity to request probation rather than a conviction. Although probations, if granted, may give the defendant the opportunity to avoid a driving conviction, the downside to it is that the fines increase, usually not more than $500. Overall, the defendant gets to explain to the judge and indulge the mercy of the Lord.

Can You Get a Speeding Ticket Dismissed in Maryland?

A speeding ticket in Maryland is a payable traffic citation. Payable traffic citations do not typically require a mandatory appearance in court. It means that tickets may be dismissed if they are fought. On the day of trial, several possibilities may lead to the dismissal of a ticket:

• The issuing officer fails to show up
• The judge declares the defendant not guilty
• Nolle pro: for some reason, the state ends the prosecution and dismisses the charges

What Happens if You Plead Guilty to a Traffic Ticket in Maryland?

In Maryland, guilty pleas typically translate to a driving conviction with the exception of parking violations. These driving convictions can put the individual at risk of higher vehicle insurance premiums, losing driving privileges, or sometimes incarceration, especially if they fail to pay the fine within the stipulated time. The offender risks losing their job based on the conviction, especially if the crime bothers on serious traffic offenses like Driving Under the Influence (DUI) or driving with a suspended license.

How to Find a Traffic Ticket Attorney in Maryland

The outcome of a traffic ticket case in court may be unpredictable. Engaging the services of an attorney may also prove useful in deciding if to proceed with contesting the ticket in the first place. It may improve the chances of overturning the case in court. A good number of traffic ticket attorneys in Maryland have basic online visibility. To put it differently, many of them have websites that advertise their services. Use any of the search engines to look for one.

The District Court of Maryland website provides an electronic list of attorneys registered in Maryland. Use the keyword ‘traffic’ to narrow the search.