Maryland Traffic Defense Lawyers: Tickets & Misdemeanors

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. 

• Red light camera citations 
• Bus stop video citations 
• Speeding camera citations 

• 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: 

• Vehicular manslaughter convictions 
• Homicidal DUI charges 

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. 

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.