Traffic Police Fine For Speeding
Jenine Killebrew
The maximum speed limit is just that, the maximum speed at which drivers can lawfully operate their motor vehicles. This does not mean that drivers must drive at this speed limit; they can, and should in many cases, drive at speeds less than the maximum speed limit, such as when the pavement is wet or icy. However, driving too slowly can also be dangerous. Some Interstate highways have posted minimum speeds, usually 40 mph. In general, it is safest to drive with the flow of traffic unless that flow is exceeding the speed limit.
Fines increase if convicted of more than 1 speed violation in 18 months. A license is revoked for 3 convictions in 18 months. Fines may vary for speeding in a school zone or restricted highway. Fines are doubled in work zones. Posted speed limits in work zones must be observed regardless of whether construction activities are actually occurring at the time.
In addition to the fines and penalties shown, you will have to pay a state surcharge and possibly a Driver Responsibility Assessment if you receive six or more points on your driver record during an 18-month period.
Under the Driver Improvement Points System, demerit points may be meted out to valid Singapore Driving Licence holders when they commit certain traffic offences. They may also be offered composition fines.
Notwithstanding the above, anyone who commits a traffic offence is still liable to face the full punishment(s) that the offence carries. They may be prosecuted in court and face punishments which may include fines, imprisonment, and/or disqualification of the driving licence, depending on the severity of the offence(s).
If the police officer did not check "This is a payable citation" on your traffic ticket, you must appear in court for trial (for example, in a DUI case). The court will mail you a summons informing you of the trial date.
In a waiver hearing you can ask the judge to reduce or waive your fine. You can also ask the court to give you probation instead of a conviction. There is a possibility that your fine could be increased, up to a maximum of $500.
The officer who issued your ticket will testify, and you will have an opportunity to present your side of the case. You may present witnesses' testimony or other evidence. You are responsible for alerting your witnesses of the date, time, and location of your trial. You may choose to have a lawyer represent you. After hearing all of the evidence, the judge will decide whether you are guilty or not guilty.
The length of your trial or hearing can vary by county, and can depend on the number of cases scheduled. Many courts are trying to reduce the time you have to spend in traffic court by scheduling cases on an hourly basis.
Individuals with outstanding traffic fines totaling $150.00 or more and whose driver's license or driving privilege is, or may be suspended, may be eligible for a Traffic Violation(s) Installment Payment Plan. Read more about traffic installment plans.
In District Court cases you may plead "guilty" or "not guilty." There is no plea of "innocent." A guilty plea results in the charge becoming a part of your record. In the case of a traffic ticket, the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) may assess points on your license.
In traffic cases, you may plead "guilty with an explanation" and appear for a hearing. The hearing presents you with an opportunity to explain to the judge why you committed the offense and request that your fine be reduced or waived or ask that you be given probation rather than a conviction because of extenuating circumstances. Lowering your fine is at the discretion of the judge. There is a possibility that your fine could be increased, up to a maximum of $500. If the judge renders a guilty verdict, you have the right to an appeal. There are non-refundable court costs for filing an appeal. If you wish to plead "not guilty," you must request and appear for a trial where the officer and any witnesses will be present.
The red light, speed monitoring, school bus monitoring, and electronic toll cameras are installed and/or operated at the expense and direction of the locality or municipality or, if on a state highway or toll facility, by the Department of State Police or Maryland Transportation Authority. Complaints about the location or operation of these cameras should be sent to the address on the citation. In most cases this is the address of the police or state agency. Please note: these citations are not found on the Judiciary's Case Search and if a ticket was lost - please contact the local jurisdiction where you received the ticket, the Maryland State Police if on a state highway, or the Maryland Transportation Authority if it was a toll violation.
As stated on the red light, speed monitoring, school bus monitoring, and electronic toll violation citations: "Payment of the penalty amount for the violation will not result in points and cannot be used to increase your insurance rates."
Various vendors manufacture the cameras used in red light, speed monitoring, school bus, and electronic toll traffic programs. For information on how these cameras operate, contact the local police department in the municipality where the camera is located or, if on a state highway or toll facility, the Maryland State Police or Maryland Transportation Authority.
For any other questions, contact the Customer Service number on the back of the citation or the jurisdiction where the citation was issued. These citation programs are operated by local and municipal governments (or, if on a state highway or toll facility, the Maryland State Police or Maryland Transportation Authority. Maryland courts only handle these citations if the person who was issued a citation requests a trial date or disputes liability.
In order to receive a payment plan, trial date or a waiver hearing date, you must complete and return your option form to:
District Court of MD
PO Box 6676
Annapolis, MD 21401
If you fail to comply with one of the four options WITHIN 30 DAYS after receipt of a payable traffic citation, the Motor Vehicle Administration will be notified and may take action to suspend your driver's license. DRIVING ON A SUSPENDED LICENSE IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE FOR WHICH YOU COULD BE INCARCERATED.
Traffic Citation Fact Sheet
Traffic Citations - Handwritten and Electronic Traffic citations in the State of MD are issued in one of two different ways - a handwritten version or an electronic version. When you are charged with a payable traffic offense, the officer will give you two copies of the handwritten version of the traffic citation. If the citation was issued electronically, the officer prints you a copy from the officer's patrol car.
The post office will not forward Court mail, and updating your address with MVA does not update your address with the Court. (The District Court is unable to conduct official court business through e-mail.)
If you have lost or misplaced your traffic citation use the option form provided here. Follow the instructions for completing the form, select your option, print, date, sign, and return the form to the Traffic Processing Center within 30 days after receipt of the citation. Use the Judiciary's Online Case Search to access information such as citation number, fine amount, date of the violation, and county in which you received the citation in order to have your payment or request applied correctly. For other types of citations, see below.
If you have witnesses that can support your case, you are responsible for alerting them to the date, time, and location of your trial. You have the right to retain legal counsel for the proceeding. If after receiving a trial notice you decide you would rather pay the citation than appear for trial, you may pay the fine at any time up to your trial/hearing date to avoid trial.
If you wish to request a change in the trial date, submit your request in writing to the District Court where your trial or hearing will be heard with an explanation of the circumstances that require the change and include any supporting documentation. Your request is not automatically granted; it is up to a judge to determine whether to change your trial date.
If you fail to appear for trial, the MVA will be notified and will take action to suspend your license. Driving on a suspended license is a criminal offense for which you can receive jail time. If you only have one failure to appear, you can request and receive a new trial or hearing date. Put your request for a new trial or hearing to plead guilty with an explanation in writing. Mail or submit your request to the court where your original trial date was set.
Call the Interactive Voice Response (IVR) System at 1-800-492-2656 for information about trial dates, court locations, and directions.
From all areas, including out-of-state, call: 1-800-492-2656
TTY users call Maryland RELAY: 711
If you need more information, please contact a clerk at the District Court of Maryland location nearest you.
Top of Page
Certified Records
The Motor Vehicle Authority handles driving records. However, to obtain certified records of traffic citations, copies of tickets, charging documents, etc. contact:
District Court Traffic Processing Center at:
Telephone: 1 800-492-2656 or 410 260-1093
Expungement
Many public driving records are automatically expunged, depending upon the offense for which you were convicted and the length of time since your last conviction. Please see the People's Law Library's MVA Driving Record Expungement webpage. For additional information, contact the MVA.
Red Light, Speed Monitoring, School Bus Monitoring, and Electronic Toll Citations
How and where do I file a complaint against red light, speed monitoring, school bus monitoring, and electronic toll cameras?
The red light, speed monitoring, school bus monitoring, and electronic toll cameras are installed and/or operated at the expense and direction of the locality or municipality or, if on a state highway or toll facility, by the Department of State Police or Maryland Transportation Authority. Complaints about the location or operation of these cameras should be sent to the address on the citation. In most cases this is the address of the police or state agency. Please note: these citations are not found on the Judiciary's Case Search and if a ticket was lost - please contact the local jurisdiction where you received the ticket, the Maryland State Police if on a state highway, or the Maryland Transportation Authority if it was a toll violation.
Will I be assessed points if found guilty of a red light, speed monitoring, school bus monitoring, or electronic toll violation camera citation?
As stated on the red light, speed monitoring, school bus monitoring, and electronic toll violation citations: "Payment of the penalty amount for the violation will not result in points and cannot be used to increase your insurance rates."
How do these red light, speed monitoring, school bus monitoring, and toll violation cameras work?
Various vendors manufacture the cameras used in red light, speed monitoring, school bus, and electronic toll traffic programs. For information on how these cameras operate, contact the local police department in the municipality where the camera is located or, if on a state highway or toll facility, the Maryland State Police or Maryland Transportation Authority.
For any other questions, contact the Customer Service number on the back of the citation or the jurisdiction where the citation was issued. These citation programs are operated by local and municipal governments (or, if on a state highway or toll facility, the Maryland State Police or Maryland Transportation Authority. Maryland courts only handle these citations if the person who was issued a citation requests a trial date or disputes liability).
Pleas
What are the different pleas?
In District Court cases you may plead "guilty" or "not guilty." There is no plea of "innocent."
A guilty plea results in the charge becoming a part of your record. In the case of a traffic ticket, The Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) may assess points on your license.
In traffic cases, you may plead "guilty with an explanation" and appear for a hearing. The hearing presents you with an opportunity to explain to the judge why you committed the offense and request that your fine be reduced or waived or ask that you be given probation rather than a conviction because of extenuating circumstances. Lowering your fine is at the discretion of the judge. There is a possibility that your fine could be increased, up to a maximum of $500. If the judge renders a guilty verdict, you have the right to an appeal. There are non-refundable court costs for filing an appeal. If you wish to plead "not guilty," you must request and appear for a trial where the officer and any witnesses will be present.