COLUMBIA TRAFFIC DEFENSE ATTORNEYS

Standing with You After Traffic Citations & Arrests

Receiving a traffic citation is often the only reason people have interactions with law enforcement or the judicial system. People often view a traffic citation as the legal equivalent of a bee sting, i.e. a minor annoyance. What they might not realize is that too many little problems can quickly add up to a serious issue.

Is your license about to be suspended because you have too many traffic citations? Could you lose your job if you can’t drive? Were you arrested for a serious moving violation that could place you in jail if you are convicted?

Fight the big issues that can be caused by many little traffic citations with the help of Portner & Shure, P.A. Our Columbia, Maryland traffic violation defense lawyers are standing by to shield you with more than 30 years of legal experience.

For a free consultation, just dial (410) 995-1515 as soon as you can.

Types of Traffic Violations in Columbia, Maryland

Traffic violations can be divided into two distinct categories: must appear and payable. A “must appear” citation carries the potential for jail time if things go wrong for the defendant and, as the name implies, they must go to court to defend themselves. A “payable” citation can be concluded without going to court by agreeing to pay any fines and accept any marks on your driving record.

Below, we will take a closer look at some of the most common types of traffic violations.

Speeding

A speeding ticket is a “payable” citation. Speeding tickets will usually only inflict a fine and points on your driving record. The severity of the fines and points depends on how far over the speed limit you were allegedly driving.

Speeding citations often carry unforeseen collateral consequences, though. People often receive several speeding citations across a year or so and pay them without appearing in court. The resulting point accumulation then results in a license suspension. In a worst-case scenario, all of the citations can add up to a suspended license, a bench warrant, or both.

Driving on a Suspended License

People often think that if they have a physical license, they are permitted to drive. This is not the case. Often, a person’s driving privilege is suspended, and they do not receive notice of the suspension due to their failure to update their address with the Motor Vehicle Administration, meaning they are driving without realizing they are violating the law.

A few reasons why someone’s driving privilege could be suspended without warning:

• Pursuant to 16-303(c), a person’s driving privilege can be suspended due to an alcohol-related driving incident, excessive points, child support issues, or failing to complete a driver improvement program. A citation for a 16-303(c) violation is a must appear citation and it carries the potential for jail time. The penalty for a first offense is 1 year in jail and a $1,000.00 fine, and the penalty for a second or subsequent offense is 2 years and a $1,000.00 fine.
• Pursuant to 16-303(h), a person’s driving privilege can be suspended due to an unpaid fine, failing to appear in court, or failing to maintain proper car insurance. A citation for a 16-303(h) violation is a must appear and it carries the potential for jail time. The penalty for a first offense is 60 days in jail and a $500.00 fine.
• If an individual receives a citation for any of these violations, they will also receive a citation for possessing and displaying a suspended license pursuant to 16-301(J) and (e). All are must appear citations. Each of these citations carries a maximum penalty of 60 days in jail and a $500.00 fine.

Driving Without a License

Pursuant 16-101, it is illegal to drive without a license. This citation is a must appear because it carries the potential for jail time. The penalty for a first offense is 60 days in jail and a $500.00 fine. The penalty for a second or subsequent offense 1 year in jail and a $1,000.00 fine.

Driving with a Revoked License

If the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration has revoked your license, you are not permitted to drive. Receiving a citation for driving on a revoked license is a must appear and it carries the potential for jail time. The penalty for a first offense is 1 year in jail and a $1,000.00 fine. The penalty for a second or subsequent offense is 2 years and a $1,000.00 fine.

If you receive a citation for this violation, you will also receive a citation for possessing and displaying a revoked license pursuant to 16-301(D) and (I). These are must appear citations. Each of these citations carries a maximum penalty of 60 days in jail and a $500.00 fine.

Driving an Uninsured Vehicle

Car owners must maintain insurance for their vehicles in Maryland. If you fail to maintain insurance, then your license can be suspended, and you can receive a citation pursuant to 17-107. This citation is a must appear citation. The penalty for a first offense is 1 year in jail and a $1,000.00 fine. The penalty for a second or subsequent offense is 2 years and a $1,000.00 fine.

Want to Avoid the Penalties? Fight for Your Driving Privilege!

You cannot challenge the revocation of your driver’s license by sitting down and letting the court or the MVA decide what to do about your citations. You need to stand up for yourself and argue your case.

Let Portner & Shure, P.A. and our Columbia, Maryland traffic violation defense attorneys act on your behalf. Call (410) 995-1515 right now!