The answer to this question largely depends on the type of traffic citation and the desired outcome. A few other factors sometimes come into play as well. Many people ask this question because Southern Maryland police officers aggressively enforce traffic regulations. Most people cannot drive more than two or three miles at a time without breaking at least one traffic law and risking getting a ticket.

If you need a Southern Maryland traffic ticket lawyer, the Bowie, Maryland, criminal defense lawyers at the Law Office of Robert R. Castro are here to help. Our legal team quickly evaluates your case and determines the best course of action. As outlined below, most traffic ticket defendants have multiple legal options. We clarify these options and help you find the fastest and most cost-effective solution.

General Alternatives

In Maryland, when you’re issued a traffic citation, you generally have several options: pay the full fine and plead guilty, ask for a waiver hearing, request a payment plan, or request a trial.

Paying the fine means you admit guilt and often adds points to your driving record. Points stay on your license and can lead to higher car insurance rates, driver improvement programs, or, if many accumulate, license suspension.

Alternatively, drivers can almost literally throw themselves on the mercy of the court. At a waiver hearing (GWE or guilt without explanation hearing), the driver admits the violation and asks the judge to reduce the fine and/or the points. The judge could grant leniency (which will probably happen if the driver has a relatively clean record), uphold the original fine, or increase it up to a maximum of $500 plus costs.

Frequently, a Clinton, Maryland criminal defense lawyer helps drivers prepare for GWE hearings. Typically, these drivers must be contrite yet also cite mitigating circumstances that partially excuse the violation. That’s a narrow line to walk.

Requesting a payment plan also includes requesting traffic school, if available. The DIP (Driver Improvement Program) is usually a four-hour class, although it could be up to eight hours.

When to “Lawyer Up”

A minor fix-it ticket, like a small equipment violation or a low-level speeding ticket, usually doesn’t require a lawyer.

Most judges dismiss fix-it tickets if the driver provides proof of compliance within about thirty days. Furthermore, traffic school dismissal is usually an option for minor moving violations. Truthfully, a lawyer probably couldn’t achieve better results.

We never recommend fine payment or GWE hearings. These outcomes, although they seem like a good idea at the time, often dramatically increase auto insurance rates and have other unwanted collateral effects.

A Southern Maryland traffic ticket lawyer is much more valuable, and even necessary in many cases, when:

• The driver believes the officer erroneously or unfairly issued the ticket. A lawyer challenges evidence or procedural issues that nonlawyers often miss.
• Points on your record matter, typically if you risk suspension or significant insurance rate increases. Attorneys often negotiate reduced charges or outcomes like Probation Before Judgment (PBJ) that avoid points.
• You cannot appear in person, perhaps because you live out of state. Many lawyers can appear on your behalf, which avoids travel and scheduling hassles.
• The charge is serious or “must-appear” (like DUI, reckless driving, driving while license suspended, or other criminal-level traffic offenses). These often carry heavier penalties, including potential jail time. Generally speaking, if your liberty is at risk, you need a lawyer.

Hiring a lawyer does cost money, but in many cases, that cost is less than the long-term financial impact of higher insurance premiums or losing your license. Lawyers familiar with Maryland traffic courts can often achieve better results than someone representing themselves, especially in contested cases.

Rely on a Savvy Calvert County Lawyer

There is a big difference between an arrest and a conviction. For a confidential consultation with an experienced criminal defense lawyer in Prince George’s County, Maryland, contact the Law Office of Robert R. Castro, 2670 Crain Highway #411, Waldorf, MD 20601. You can also call us at (301) 870-1200 or go online.

This article has been provided by the Law Office of Robert R. Castro. For more information or questions, contact our office to speak to an experienced lawyer at (301) 870-1200.