Defend your rights – and your freedom – against traffic misdemeanors.
Maryland Traffic Defense Lawyers: Tickets & Misdemeanors
Not all Maryland traffic tickets end with a fine. To keep your ability to drive – and your life as you know it – you’ll need a legal champion to defend your case before an impartial court.
What Is Considered a Misdemeanor Traffic Violation in Maryland?
It’s a fine bit of nuance in Maryland law, but knowing the differences between the various types of traffic violations can be the difference between a simple fine and a decade in jail.
A traffic infraction is typically reserved for smaller driving violations. It usually only carries a relatively small fine – under $100 in many cases – no jail time, and administrative “points” that, over time, might result in the suspension of your Maryland state license. Some examples include:- Red light camera citations
- Bus stop video citations
- Speeding camera citations
A traffic misdemeanor is a more serious traffic violation. It differs from a traffic infraction in that – if you’re found guilty – jail time is possible. The usual penalty is approximately two months (60 days) in jail. The fine for a traffic misdemeanor is larger, too, rising to several hundred dollars. Some examples include:
- Traffic stops resulting in DUI charges
- Getting pulled over for excessive speeding
- Driving with a suspended license
- Stop sign violation
- Reckless driving and endangerment of others
A traffic felony also has fines and jail time, but are much more serious in nature with longer penalties. Instead of the local district court, felony traffic violations are heard in Maryland circuit court. Get convicted of a traffic felony, and a suspended license will be the least of your worries. You’d be looking at up to 10 years in jail. Some examples include:
What Happens If I’m Convicted of a Traffic Misdemeanor?
Depending on the circumstances, those convicted of a Maryland traffic misdemeanor could face:
- License suspension, both personal and professional
- Job loss, with accompanying difficulty finding work
- Damage to a security clearance record
- Fines of up to $500 and local jail time up to 60 days
- Increased insurance rates – or loss of coverage altogether
That’s just the technical penalties that the state imposes. Many people in Maryland rely on their vehicles to get to and from work, pick up their children, and live their regular lives.
If you lose your license, then transportation suddenly becomes much harder.
How Can A Traffic Lawyer Help With Traffic Misdemeanors?
When you initially received your traffic citation, there were three possible options to choose from, depending on the circumstances:
- “Pay the Ticket”
- “Plead Guilty With Explanation”
- “Request a Contested Hearing”
The latter two options are your chance to make your case in front of a judge to explain the circumstances, question the legality of the stop, and possibly reduce (or eliminate) the punishment altogether.
That’s when you need a traffic lawyer: To represent your best interests in Maryland traffic court.
Experienced traffic lawyers may be able to:
- Negotiate with the state prosecutor to lower the violation to a citation without misdemeanor penalties;
- Offer time already served in either probation or in the local jail in place of additional jail time; and
- Argue for you to keep your license – and thus your income and family situation.
“Mark Sobel is my [go-to] lawyer in this Firm. Very good communication skills and he knows what he’s doing in a hearing. He got my case pushed to unsupervised probation. Gooo Mark.”
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Your Legal Team

Jim Crawford
Founding Partner & Senior Litigator
Jim believes that the power to change the life of even one client is worth more than any amount of money or prestige. That's why he's spent just about every day of his working career in a Maryland courtroom, giving clients their opportunity for justice.

Mark Sobel
Criminal Department Manager & Senior Litigator
Originally a lawyer from the Big Apple, Mark and his family relocated to Charm City to represent Marylanders for both criminal and civil matters. Whether it's a traffic-related charge or a serious criminal matter in the District or Circuit Court, you'll want Mark in your corner.
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