Ocean City Corvette Weekend Criminal Lawyer
People travel from all across the United States to vacation in Ocean City, Maryland for Ocean City Corvette Weekend, which increases the fun and the inventory of Corvettes to explore. While Corvette Weekend provides an excellent reason to visit Maryland’s shoreline, there is inherent difficulty if a criminal matter needs to be addressed after the weekend is over.
What happens in Ocean City stays in Ocean City, which includes any court proceedings that are necessary, following a Corvette Weekend vacation. It is important that you seek representation from an Ocean City Corvette weekend criminal lawyer that understands the concerns of individuals that live outside of the area. When facing these charges, it may be critical to contact an experienced criminal lawyer.
Reckless and Negligent Driving
Reckless driving is a misdemeanor offense in Maryland. Driving in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of others or their property or in a manner that would indicate disregard constitutes reckless driving in Maryland. The term reckless driving may include speeding more than 20 miles over the speed limit or driving within the speed limit, but faster than is safe under the conditions. The penalty for reckless driving includes fines up to $1,000.
Negligent driving is defined as driving carelessly or in an imprudent manner that endangers others or the property of others. The charge is similar to reckless driving, but the penalties, if convicted of negligent driving are less harsh. The dividing line between reckless driving and negligent driving is fine so negligent driving is often a lesser included offense to reckless driving. It is a misdemeanor offense that can result in fines up to $500.
Driving with a Suspended License
It is generally a misdemeanor offense to drive with a suspended license in Maryland. In some cases, it may be deemed a felony, which typically occurs when the individual that is charged with the offense has prior convictions for the same offense in Maryland, another state, district, or commonwealth.
On the first offense, driving with a suspended license is punishable by up to 60 days in jail, up to $500 in fines, or both. If the individual’s driver’s license was suspended for more serious charges, driving on a suspended license is escalated to a more serious misdemeanor offense, which is punishable up to one-year incarceration and fines that do not exceed $1,000.
It is important for an individual to speak with an Ocean City Corvette weekend criminal lawyer who understands that contact with a police officer for a traffic offense can lead to even more serious charges. The initial stop can possibly lead to a search of the car, and that search can lead to the seizure of drugs, weapons, etc.
Misdemeanors v. Felony Offenses
Misdemeanors that occur are tried in the Worcester County District Court located at 65th Street in Ocean City. Any offense that carries greater than 90 days can be taken to the Circuit Court by praying a jury trial. The decision whether to pray a jury trial is very important and should be discussed at length with your attorney. Felony cases are held in Worcester County Circuit Court, located in the county seat of Snow Hill.
Anyone that is charged with criminal offenses is required to report to the appropriate court, in the jurisdiction where they were charged, at an appointed time. That remains true even if the accused was charged while attending Corvette Weekend celebrations on vacation. It is important in that case to have an Ocean City Corvette weekend criminal lawyer that can act on your behalf to limit your need to travel back to Ocean City as much as possible and to seek the best possible outcome.