Arbutus Traffic Attorney in Maryland

When you’re inching along I-95 on your morning commute, the last thing you want is to be stopped by a police officer with the Maryland Transportation Authority. Unfortunately, more than 500 people died in a traffic accident in Maryland in 2017.  Clearly, police officers patrolling the streets in and around Arbutus have a heightened sense of duty to protect drivers, passengers, people on motorcycles, and everyone else who uses city roads and highways to get around.

Law enforcement officials provide a necessary service. They ensure our safety by confronting potentially dangerous drivers, reminding them of the rules of the road, and taking disciplinary action. The trouble with law enforcement arises when they target drivers who are not putting lives at risk. If you feel that you received a citation erroneously, or that the citation you were given is for a more serious offense than what took place, you should work with a traffic ticket lawyer in Arbutus to fight the charge against you.

Sometimes, drivers face criminal charges for a traffic violation. Understand that a criminal traffic offense, like any other crime, will open a criminal record and could have many negative effects on your life. Criminal charges require a competent legal defense to preserve your reputation and quality of life.

Is My Traffic Ticket a Payable or Must-Appear Offense?

There are two types of traffic offenses in Maryland: payable and must-appear offenses. A particular violation falls into one of these two categories, depending on the associated penalties.

Payable violations are those where you might pay a traffic ticket and avoid appearing in front of a judge. Technically, you admit guilt when you pay the ticket, but the Maryland MVA will consider you to have resolved your ticket and you won’t face further penalties for the same offense.

Some of the most common payable traffic offenses in Maryland include:

• Speeding at 1-10 miles over the posted limit
• Failing to wear a seatbelt
• Running a stop sign
• Making an improper turn
• Failing to signal a turn

A traffic ticket for any of the above could result in points against your license. Although none of these offenses by itself will lead to a license suspension, accumulating enough points within a 2-year period can lead to the loss of a driver’s license, which is why it’s critical to resolve these charges through a traffic ticket attorney in Arbutus.

Must-appear traffic violations require you to attend a court hearing in front of a judge. These offenses include all traffic charges for which you could face incarceration if you’re found guilty of the offense; thus, must-appear violations are serious ones that can also become criminal offenses. Although a steep fine might be one of the penalties of a must-appear offense, you can’t resolve this type of charge by simply paying a fine.

Examples of serious or must-appear traffic violations include:

• DUI
• Vehicular manslaughter
• Driving on a suspended license
• Driving on a revoked license
• Leaving the scene of an accident
• Trying to escape or elude police officers

Receiving a citation for any of the above violations means you have a criminal charge that you must resolve as soon as possible. A criminal traffic charge acts like any other criminal charge. Besides the possibility of a jail or prison sentence, you could lose your job, have trouble finding a new one, and face other obstacles.

Push Back Against a License Suspension in Arbutus

Private transportation is the top way to travel in and around Arbutus. Most people rely on their vehicles to get to and from work and other places every day of the week. It’s not difficult to see why having a suspended license in Arbutus can present many challenges in your day-to-day life.

A license suspension often stems from a DUI charge or accumulating too many points on your license. One sure-fire way to accumulate points is by paying traffic tickets instead of contesting the charges against you. If your license is about to be suspended, the MVA will usually mail you a notice; however, it’s not uncommon for people to be unaware of their suspended licenses.

The moment you find out your license might be suspended or is already suspended, contact a suspended license lawyer in Arbutus to help you resolve the issues keeping you away from your full driving privileges.

Traffic Lawyer Proudly Serving Arbutus and Surrounding Areas

Attorney Hillel Traub of Traub Law has dedicated the past 20 years and counting to fighting for the rights of motorists in and around Arbutus. If you’ve been charged with a criminal offense, he has extensive experience protecting the rights of the accused. He also fights payable traffic offenses that can threaten your driver’s license.

If you face any legal or administrative traffic problem in Arbutus, you can rely on Hillel Traub to provide exceptional service. He has profound knowledge in Maryland traffic laws and has served as a former Assistant Attorney General for the MVA. See how he can help you by calling (410) 580-1100 or completing our contact form for a free consultation.