BEL AIR, MARYLAND SPEEDING TICKET DEFENSE LAWYER

Don’t Rip a Ticket Up – Fight It Instead!

When you are ticketed for speeding, you might think the consequences are light. However, once you understand those consequences better, you will see that a conviction for a speeding offense carries severe penalties. You could get punished by increased insurance premiums, points added to your driving record, the removal of your driving privilege, and a lengthy license suspension.

Portner & Shure, P.A. in Bel Air, Maryland is here to help figure out how to fight your speeding ticket. Don’t listen to the police when they tell you that you have no option other than to pay it and accept all penalties. This is never the only option!

Start your speeding ticket defense case right now by dialing (410) 286-1999.

Is It Worth Hiring a Lawyer for Speeding Ticket?

When it comes to hiring a lawyer for a speeding ticket in Maryland, the decision ultimately depends on your individual circumstances. Ultimately, hiring legal representation ensures that your case is being looked at by an expert who understands the intricacies of the law. This prevents mistakes from happening that may jeopardize your case and increase penalties. For minor tickets like speeding offenses, hiring a lawyer can make all the difference when it comes to getting the best possible outcome such as reducing fines or points on your license. If you are facing more serious traffic tickets, it is absolutely worth hiring a lawyer as legal representation can help make sure that you do not face any lasting consequences such as jail time or loss of driving privileges.

Maryland’s Point System for Moving Violations

The State of Maryland uses a point system for moving violations. Most moving violations carry a fine and a certain number of points that are added to the driver’s record. The fines and points are imposed separately because the court system is in charge of fines and the Motor Vehicle Administration is in charge of the points. If an individual accumulates too many points, their license will be either suspended or revoked.

The point system is set up so that when a person receives:

• 3 to 4 points: The Motor Vehicle Administration issues the driver a warning letter
• 5 to 7 points: The Motor Vehicle Administration requires the driver to complete a driver improvement program. Failure to complete the program results in a person’s driving privilege being suspended.
• 8 to 11 points: The Motor Vehicle Administration suspends the person’s driving privilege.
• 12 or more points: Motor Vehicle Administration revokes the person’s driving privilege.

Points remain on a person’s driving record for two years before they can be removed.

Speeding Violations in Maryland

Speeding is one of the most common types of moving violations in Maryland and elsewhere. The potential fines and points vary based on how far above the posted speed limit a driver was traveling when they were ticketed. The higher the speed, the higher the fine and points.

Common Mistakes in Speeding Ticket Defense Cases

When a person receives a speeding citation, they have three options:

• Pre-pay the citation
• Plead not guilty and request a trial
• Plead guilty with an explanation

The biggest mistake people make is pre-paying the ticket. This is essentially an admission of guilt and results in the person paying the full fine and receiving all the points. The best course of action is to plead not guilty and request a trial because that requires the state to put in some effort to achieve a conviction, which it might not be able to do.

How Can I Dispute a Speeding Ticket in Maryland?

Disputing a speeding ticket in Maryland requires an understanding of the state's regulations and procedures. A driver must ensure they can provide proof that they were not actually speeding or that it would be beneficial to their situation to dispute the ticket altogether. To contest a Speeding Citation in Maryland, drivers need to schedule a court hearing with a traffic court judge address any mitigating circumstances. During the hearing, drivers may enter an innocent plea and try to convince the judge to throw out or reduce their fines or have points removed from their driver’s license for the violation. Drivers must make sure to comply with all local laws, collect evidence and attend the hearing in order to increase the chance of disputing a speeding ticket successfully in Maryland. To successfully dispute a speeding ticket, you may want to hire a Bel Air speeding ticket defense attorney!

What Are Some Common Defenses to a Speeding Ticket in Maryland?

If you receive a speeding ticket in Maryland, there are common defenses that can be used to challenge the ticket. One common defense is that your speed was necessary in an emergency situation. For example, if someone was about to be hurt or an accident occurred and you sped up in order to assist them, this can be used as a valid defense. Another common defense is that the speed limit signs present were unclear. The law limits drivers to obeying signs that are visible and easily readable; if the driver can make a case for the signage being unclear or otherwise hard to determine, then they would have a legitimate defense. A third common defense is that a testing device such as radar gun was improperly calibrated or operated at the time of their citation. Radars must be regularly checked and monitored for accuracy; providing evidence of improper calibration voids a speeding ticket in many cases.

Defenses in Traffic Violation Cases in MD

The State of Maryland has to prove an individual’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt to secure a speeding ticket conviction or to justify a citation. By pleading not guilty, a driver is forcing the ticketing officer to appear in court to testify. At trial, their testimony may reveal that they lack sufficient evidence to prove guilt.

In cases where a plea deal is preferable to a trial, our Bel Air, Maryland speeding ticket defense lawyers can work to mitigate the potential consequences associated with a traffic citation. Specifically, a speeding ticket defense can highlight a driver’s good character and improvement efforts they have undertaken, such as completing a driver improvement course. These mitigation efforts may result in the imposition of a Probation Before Judgement, which will result in no points being assessed against the driver’s license.

How Do I Choose the Best Defense for My Speeding Ticket in Maryland?

When speeding in Maryland, you should research the various defenses available to help you fight the ticket. It all comes down to how much effort and time you are willing and able to spend researching the various speeding ticket defense in MD, understanding all of your legal rights and analyzing if using a defense could prove beneficial in your situation. It is also important to consider retaining a lawyer, as this will typically depend on both the speed of your offense and which particular court is handling it. Research is key when it comes to making sure that you have chosen the best defense for your speeding ticket in Maryland.

Headed Your Way with Excellent Defense

Do not lose your great driving record because of a single mistake. Let our Bel Air speeding ticket defense attorneys represent you and show you that there is a better way than just paying the ticket and hoping for the best.

To schedule a free consultation regarding, call (410) 286-1999 or contact us online now.