Anne Arundel County Speeding Ticket Lawyer
Whether a resident of Anne Arundel County, MD, or a visitor simply passing through, no one enjoys receiving a speeding ticket. In Anne Arundel County, law enforcement officers follow the Annotated Code of Maryland, which provides the fines and penalties for violation of motor vehicle laws such as speeding. Those unfamiliar with motor vehicle laws and penalties will benefit from working with an Anne Arundel County, MD, speeding ticket lawyer and exploring the possibilities of a lower fine or lesser penalty.
Driving in Anne Arundel County
Anne Arundel County rests on the Chesapeake Bay. It includes Annapolis, the capital of Maryland. The population has continually increased since 2000. Anne Arundel County sits in very close proximity to the large metropolitan areas of Baltimore and Washington, DC. As a result, numerous non-resident drivers constantly travel through Anne Arundel County. Between 2003 and 2006, 30.6% of total traffic stops were of drivers who resided outside of Anne Arundel County. Ignorance is not bliss when it comes to speeding tickets! If you are a visitor and have been issued a citation, an Anne Arundel County, MD, speeding ticket lawyer can help you understand the potential penalties.
Maryland’s Transportation Article lists numerous speed restrictions, such as:
- Driving vehicle in excess of reasonable and prudent speed on the highway
- Failure to control vehicle speed to avoid a collision
- Failure to reduce speed
- Exceeding highway work zone speed limits
- Willfully driving a motor vehicle at slow speed, impeding normal and reasonable traffic movement
Failing to abide by speeding restrictions can have fatal consequences. On September 8, 2014, a serious collision occurred in Friendship, MD. The police report indicated that the crash had occurred due to speeding as well as the influence of alcohol. On September 4, 2014, a single-vehicle collision occurred with fatal consequences for the front passenger. The police report stated that the vehicle had been traveling at a high rate of speed. On August 27, 2014, three vehicles were involved in a serious accident. The high speed of one of the vehicles contributed to the accident.
How a Speeding Ticket Affects a Person
A speeding ticket may include points on your driver’s license and/or fines. Depending on your speed, fines may be anywhere between $90 and $1,000. If speeding led to an accident, the fines and points may be higher.
A speeding ticket can cost you a lot of money. First, there’s the expense of paying a fine. Second, points on your driver’s license have far-reaching financial effects. Your auto insurance premiums may go up, for example.
The Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) applies the points to your driving record. Accumulation of points is bad news for you. According to the MVA website, point accumulation renders the following actions:
- 3 to 4 points: The MVA will send you a warning letter.
- 5 to 7 points: The MVA will require you to enroll in a Driver Improvement Program (DIP).
- 8 to 11 points: The MVA will send you a notice of suspension.
- 12 or more points: The MVA will send you a notice of revocation.
What Should To Do About a Speeding Ticket
If a person receives a speeding ticket in Anne Arundel County, MD, they can do one of two things: they can pay the fine and submit to the penalty, or (depending on the violation) they can contest the citation in court. Prior to making a decision concerning the best course of action when receiving a speeding ticket, consider seeking legal counsel. Paying the fine means that you are accepting responsibility. This may hurt a driving record in the long run. Does contesting the citation in court seem daunting? Are you unsure about how to proceed? An Anne Arundel County, MD, speeding ticket lawyer can assist in helping you decide on the best course of action.
Out-of-State Drivers
Out-of-state drivers who get a ticket in Anne Arundel should contact a local attorney. They have some elements they must be aware of as well. They cannot claim ignorance of Anne Arundel traffic laws – it is not a valid defense. In addition, they have 30 days to respond to a ticket and if they do not respond, they can be in a tricky situation. If they have a must-appear ticket, a warrant will be issued for them. At that point, they will need a lawyer to have the matter reset. If they do not have an appearance summons, they just have an active ticket that may, when they try to sign up for a new license, pop up in the system and stop that process. It is important to adhere to the 30-day requirement. If they are found guilty, the court costs may be due that day as well.
How Can a Speeding Ticket Lawyer Be of Assistance?
Police officers are required to evaluate numerous factors in a given situation, such as traffic volume, time of day, and any danger caused to others. Your speeding ticket may be a result of poor judgment on the part of the law enforcer. We realize that receiving a speeding ticket may be a very stressful situation. An Anne Arundel County, MD, speeding ticket lawyer can assist you by doing further research into your case. Do not feel as if you have to figure out the legalities on your own. Allow us to assist you in the process, to protect you from as much collateral damage as possible.