What to Do If You Receive a Speeding Ticket in Maryland

If you received a speeding ticket in Maryland, you need to be very careful about what you do next. While you may have options for fighting your ticket, mistakes and oversights can lead to unnecessary consequences. With this in mind, here is an overview of some of the key steps you need to take to protect yourself:

Step #1: Make Sure You Understand What is at Stake

One of the first things you should do is make sure you understand what is at stake. In Maryland, speeding tickets can lead to fines and points on your driver’s license—and having points on your driver’s license can increase your insurance rates significantly. As a result, while paying the fine might seem like the cheapest option, this often isn’t the case.

Step #2: Make Sure You Understand Your Options

When you receive a speeding ticket in Maryland, paying the fine is just one of several options you have available. As the Maryland Courts explain:

“You have four options when confronted with a payable traffic citation (1) paying the fine, (2) requesting to enter into a payment plan (3) pleading ‘guilty with an explanation’ and appearing for a waiver hearing, or (4) requesting a trial date and appearing for trial.”

As the Maryland Courts also explain, “[i]f you choose to plead guilty[] by paying the fine noted on the front of your citation, the charge will become part of your driving record.” To avoid having your ticket become part of your driving record, you need to fight your ticket in court.

Step #3: Make Sure You Don’t Get Another Speeding Ticket

While you have a speeding ticket pending, it is important to ensure you don’t get pulled over for speeding again. If you do, you will be charged as a repeat offender, and this will increase the penalties that are on the table. Getting pulled over again can also make it more difficult to convince the judge to apply leniency at a waiver hearing or trial.

Step #4: Make Sure You Don’t Miss Your Court Date

If you plead “guilty with an explanation” or request a trial, you need to ensure you don’t miss your court date. Missing your court date can also lead to additional consequences, and these are consequences that you can—and should—avoid.

Step #5: Get Help from an Experienced Maryland Speeding Ticket Lawyer

Finally, to ensure you are making informed decisions, you should promptly talk to an experienced Maryland speeding ticket lawyer. An experienced lawyer will be able to explain everything you need to know, help you weigh your options, and assert all viable defenses on your behalf.

Schedule a Confidential Consultation with Maryland Speeding Ticket Lawyer Cynthia Christiani

If you need to know more about how to handle a speeding ticket in Maryland, we invite you to get in touch. To schedule a confidential consultation with Maryland speeding ticket lawyer Cynthia Christiani, please call 443-405-8211 or request an appointment online today.