Howard County Traffic Lawyer
Virtually everyone has received a traffic ticket at one point or another, and in reality, most traffic infractions are not very serious. Criminal traffic violations, on the other hand, can result in a plethora of legal penalties ranging from license suspension to jail time. To make matters worse, these violations add points to your license and cause your insurance rate to significantly increase.
If you or someone you know is currently facing traffic charges, it may be wise to hire an experienced Howard County traffic lawyer. The consequences of a conviction can be harsh, and they can even cause you to permanently lose your driving privileges. With an accomplished attorney on your side, you may be able to get your charges reduced or dismissed completely. En Español.
Statewide Speeding Laws
To prevent citizens from endangering the lives of others, the Maryland legal system penalizes drivers who speed excessively. Drivers are required by law to obey the posted speed limit at all times, and if they do not, they risk being detained by an officer of the law. During inclement weather, drivers are expected to exercise common sense and drive at a speed lower than the posted limit if necessary.
The limits listed above must be taken into consideration if there is no posted limit within sight. Lesser speeding charges may still require help from a Howard County traffic attorney, but most of the time, they are treated solely as infractions. Conversely, excessive speeding can result in criminal charges and the punishments accompanying them.
DUIs and Other Related Offenses
In Maryland and every other state in the United States, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is strictly prohibited. Each year, countless motorists and pedestrians are killed in DUI accidents, so the government takes the charge very seriously. DUI is a criminal charge, and first-time offenders will typically receive lesser penalties than repeat offenders.
The state is allowed to issue jail sentences of up to one year and fines of up to $1,000 to first-time DUI offenders. Depending on the circumstances of the case, repeat offenders, as well as some first-timers, may also be subject to the following penalties:
- More than one year of jail time
- Loss or suspension of license
- Probation
- Mandatory substance abuse or driving education courses
- Required attendance of a Victim Impact Panel
It is important to note legal penalties may be different or harsher for individuals under the legal drinking age and those who cause bodily harm in a crash. Anyone with a BAC (blood alcohol content) greater than .08 can be charged with DUI in Maryland.
DUI and speeding are not the only traffic charges in the state. A Howard County traffic lawyer may also be able to help individuals facing charges such as driving while impaired, reckless driving, fleeing the scene of an accident, and vehicular manslaughter.
Talking to a Howard County Traffic Attorney
Criminal traffic violations can be terrifying, especially if you have never faced them before, but there are ways to clear your name or get your charges reduced. As a person charged with a traffic violation, the guidance and legal advice provided by an attorney will be invaluable.
It may seem impossible to fight back against traffic charges, but if you do not, you risk losing your freedom, income, and driving privileges. Hire a skilled Howard County traffic lawyer to represent you today.