Worcester Traffic Lawyer
In Maryland, there are two main types of traffic offenses. Traffic citations, like speeding tickets and minor moving violations, are civil matters that will not typically land you in jail, but can still result in points on your license, potential license suspension, and increased insurance rates. Traffic crimes are serious offenses that establish a criminal record that can follow you for years to come. Therefore, if you have received a traffic citation or have been charged with a traffic crime, a Worcester traffic lawyer can fight to have the citation or charges against you reduced or dismissed.
Traffic Crimes in Worcester County
Traffic-related crimes range in severity, but all carry serious potential penalties making contact with a Worcester traffic lawyer important. Common traffic crimes include reckless driving, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, excessive speeding, leaving the scene of an accident or hit-and-run, driving with a suspended or revoked license, driving without insurance, and vehicular manslaughter.
Most traffic crime charges have the potential to result in a jail sentence, and even if you are not sentenced to serve time in jail, you may be subject to hefty fines. Leaving the scene of an accident in which someone was injured, for instance, carries a penalty of up to one year in jail and up to $3,000 in fines. Vehicular manslaughter, or causing the death of another person by operating a vehicle in a grossly negligent manner, is a felony punishable by up to ten years in prison and $5000 in fines, under Maryland Code 2-209(b).
Only an experienced traffic attorney in Worcester can advise you in combating traffic crime charges. It is important to understand that just because you were charged with a traffic crime does not mean you will be convicted of that offense. If the evidence against you is lacking, or if police made a mistake in the course of your case, your attorney can investigate and determine whether any defenses may apply to the charges against you.
Traffic Citations
Potential traffic citations include speeding, running a red light, failing to signal, passing a stopped school bus, not yielding to an emergency vehicle, failing to make a complete stop, making an improper u-turn, failing to yield the right-of-way, improperly passing another vehicle, and other moving violations.
Even though traffic citations are not typically a cause for incarceration, they can still have a serious impact on your driving record that you will want to avoid, if possible. Many violations result in multiple points on your license, and once you accumulate enough points within a two-year period, your driver’s license will be suspended or revoked by the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration. As few as 5 points on your license can trigger a requirement that you attend a driver improvement education program.
By consulting a Worcester traffic attorney, you can begin the process of fighting the citation and attempting to ensure than points are not assessed against your license. Even if points have already been attached to your license, you can still request a hearing to prevent the suspension of your license.
Contact a Worcester Traffic Attorney Today
Although a traffic offense might seem relatively minor, continued offenses can add up to severe consequences. For this reason it’s important that you make sure you completely understand what punishments you are facing by contacting a Worcester traffic lawyer. We can help you understand the specifics of your charge and provide legal representation in court. Call today for a free consultation.