Maryland Speeding Ticket Lawyer
Speeding offenses can be serious, depending on how much over the posted speed limit the individual was traveling. Additionally, a speeding ticket conviction may lead to a person’s insurance rates increasing substantially or, if someone gets enough speeding tickets and the points associated with each of the tickets accumulate on their driver’s record, their license may be suspended or revoked. For these reasons, it is often in the best interest of those accused to consult with a Maryland speeding ticket lawyer to discuss how to proceed. An experienced Maryland traffic attorney can discuss the specific penalties an individual may be facing and help them explore the various legal options available.
Penalties for Speeding
The fines for a first offense for exceeding the speed limit may not be more than $500, and the person’s license may not be suspended for more than two years. There are also points assessed to an individual’s driving record depending on how much over the speed limit the person was going. If they are traveling 1-9 miles per hour over the speed limit, they will be assessed 1 point. If traveling 10-19 miles per hour over the speed limit, they will be assessed 2 points. If traveling 20 to 29 miles per hour over the speed limit, they will be assessed 2 points (with a higher fine). If traveling 30-39 miles per hour over the speed limit, they will be assessed 5 points. If traveling 40 miles per hour or above over the speed limit, the individual should consult with a Maryland speeding ticket lawyer immediately as they will be assessed 5 points (with a higher fine).
Court Attendance
For minor traffic violations, a person can pay the fine that is present on the ticket without having to appear at one of the Maryland District Courts in front of a judge. In regards to their driving record, paying the ticket has the same consequences as pleading guilty or being found guilty, because the person is essentially admitting they violated the specific Maryland law.
The penalties are automatically assessed to their driver’s record. If the violation has points as part of the penalty, the points will automatically appear on their driver’s record. However, if someone believes they are not guilty of any offense, the only way to challenge the ticket is to go to court. Even if the person does not have a defense to the ticket, there is still a possibility of the ticket being dismissed if the officer or witness does not show up on the scheduled court date.
If a person is guilty but has an explanation they think may help mitigate the violation, they can go to court with a speeding ticket attorney in Maryland and explain their version of the events. The judge may reduce the fine, amend the charge, reduce the points, or have the points erased completely. The person will also have the opportunity to possibly be granted a Probation Before Judgment so that they receive no points.
Evidence in Speeding Ticket Cases
An officer will try to prove an individual was speeding in Maryland by using the technique of pacing, radar, or LIDAR. With the pacing technique, the officer must maintain a constant distance between the police vehicle and the suspect’s car long enough to make a reasonably accurate estimate of its speed.
In regards to the radar technique, radar uses radio waves reflected off of a moving object, which would be the accused’s car, to determine its speed. Radar units generate their waves with a transmitter. Once the waves bounce off the car, they are picked up and amplified by a receiver so they can be analyzed. The officer is then able to read the analysis on the device’s screen.
Finally, the LIDAR technique requires a detector using a low-powered beam of laser light, which bounces off the suspect’s vehicle and returns to a receiver in the unit. The unit will electronically calculate the speed of the driver’s vehicle and can be read by the officer on the device’s screen.
Advantages of an Experienced Lawyer
An experienced Maryland speeding ticket lawyer will understand the specific driving laws in Maryland and will use his or her knowledge to achieve the best outcome possible. The lawyer may be able to help you use the appropriate defenses to get a waiver of points and/or fines.