Minimizing Penalties & Consequences of Traffic Tickets in Maryland

Receiving a traffic ticket can result in a wide range of penalties and consequences, including fines and driver’s license restrictions. For criminal traffic violations, the penalties are more stringent and can include additional penalties such as losing your driver’s license and a criminal record. Minimizing these penalties and consequences as much as possible is your objective, and at The Law Office of Cynthia Christiani, LLC, we help you reach your goal.

Options Available To You

Your ticket will either be a “must appear” or a payable ticket. If it is a “must appear,” it carries jail time and pre-paying is not an option. If it is a payable ticket, you will have three options: paying, requesting a waiver hearing or requesting a trial.

Paying the Fine

The simplest way to proceed is to pay the fine and accept the consequence of the violation. Doing so means waiving your ability to challenge the traffic ticket’s validity and/or having the penalties reduced. Points will be assessed against your license, and there is a chance your license could be suspended or revoked due to a “points suspension” and a chance your insurance premiums will increase.

Contested Hearing (Requesting a Trial)

A contested hearing (trial) is the proper way to proceed in order to have the most options available to a judge. This will entail appearing in court or hiring our office to appear in court for you, along with the officer that issued your ticket as well as any other witnesses. A contested hearing could result in the judge finding you not guilty, and you will avoid any consequences. If you are found guilty, you might face the same consequences you would have faced if you had not contested the violation, but many times judges will reduce the fines or offer alternative sentencing. Because of this, requesting a contested hearing is one of the best ways to minimize or completely avoid any consequences or penalties.

Pleading Guilty With An Explanation

When you choose the option of a Waiver Hearing, you will get a court date in order to plead guilty with an explanation. The police officer is not required to come to court when you chose this option, and therefore you cannot plead not guilty.

How The Law Office of Cynthia Christiani, LLC Can Help You

Meeting with attorney Cynthia Christiani at our firm will help you in your fight to reduce the consequences you may receive as a result of a traffic citation. She can advise you on the best way to proceed, and if a contested hearing is in your best interest, she will prepare your case and represent you before the court.

Speak With An Experienced Maryland Traffic Ticket Attorney

If you receive a traffic ticket in Maryland, you do have options. Contact The Law Office of Cynthia Christiani, LLC, to learn more about how we can help to minimize the penalties and consequences you face. We may be reached via our contact page.