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Maryland Traffic Tickets Questions & Answers
0 Answers | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Maryland on
Q: When is a vehicle determined to be "unsafe" in Maryland and when can a police officer tow a vehicle because of this?

When can a police officer tow your vehicle because they have deemed it unsafe? At what point is a vehicle considered unsafe by Maryland law?

1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets and Car Accidents for Maryland on
Q: I had citation # TA-21-707(a). I couldn't stop at a red light because it was raining and the asphalt was wet, and as a

My car is SEMI TRUCK. commercial vehicle. Driver licenses located VA. Accident location MD HARFORD COUNTY

Scott Scherr
Scott Scherr
answered on Mar 10, 2024

You should request a trial and not a waiver hearing and go to court. If the police officer does not appear, you will be acquitted. If the police officer appears, you can have a trial. If you are convicted, the judge can offer probation before judgment which avoids the points. Note that a PBJ counts... View More

1 Answer | Asked in DUI / DWI and Traffic Tickets for Maryland on
Q: I am over seas for the DOD and my Drivers license has expired. I have a mark on my license due to DUI. What can I do?

My Drivers license is from Maryland. The DMV said I need an Ignition Interlock Device for 1 year in the US to have it taken off my license. I haven’t lived in the US for about 5 years, due to my work.

Is there anything I can do to get it removed so I can get my license again. It’s been... View More

Scott Scherr
Scott Scherr
answered on Feb 28, 2024

You would need to discuss with your lawyer the reason the ignition interlock is required. If it was ordered by a judge or you blew .08 or above or refused a breathalyzer test, then you must do the interlock. There are no exceptions.

If the Medical Advisory Board has ordered the interlock...
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1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Maryland on
Q: How should I proceed when getting a parking ticket in a spot that was not clearly labeled as Handicap space.

I was rushing to park in DC by the National Building Museum for work, parking in a spot that was not clearly labeled as Handicapped,

as the meter with the handicap marker was broken with the zone # on the side, I paid online instead. Please advise if you can help me avoid payment of the $500 fine.

Scott Scherr
Scott Scherr
answered on Feb 23, 2024

You should repost your question to DC lawyers by listing the location as Washington, D.C. Good luck to you.

1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Maryland on
Q: can I get my speeding ticket thrown out if the officer wrote the ticket to my old license.

My provisional license has a different identifier number to my drivers license. So in theory can the ticket get thrown out if the officer recorded my license number incorrectly.

Scott Scherr
Scott Scherr
answered on Feb 21, 2024

No, this is not a defense to the charge. However, I would still recommend that you request a trial and not a waiver hearing. Sometimes the police officer does not appear. Even if the police officer does appear and you are convicted, the judge can offer probation before judgment which avoids the... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Maryland on
Q: Can another state site me for an vehicle equipment violation that is not a violation in the state I live in?

Example - driving a car from Florida, where it has legal but dark tint, through a state like PA, where no addition tint is aloud.

Would it make a difference if your driving on an interstate highway? vs. local roads?

PA laws are typically written. No vehicle shall operate... or no... View More

Mark Oakley
Mark Oakley
answered on Feb 7, 2024

Unless Pennsylvania has adopted a policy not to issue citations to out-of-state registered vehicles with legal equipment that would be illegal in PA, then you may have to fight it all the way to the US Supeme Court, and test the application of the law to you under the Equal Protection Clause, the... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Maryland on
Q: I renewed my plates but forgot to put on sticker.My car was in front my house and I got ticket. Can I query it?

I just want to know if I should just pay the ticket or if I have a case to defend since I did in fact renew my registration

Scott Scherr
Scott Scherr
answered on Jan 25, 2024

You can request a trial and go to court. You can provide proof that you had the stickers, but did not put them on the car. It is still a violation, but the judge may cut you a break.

2 Answers | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Maryland on
Q: I parked my car in a legal area, I woke up in the morning to a citation left at 4:00 AM on my windshield for $100

Violation as listed: “Not displaying attached front and/ or rear tag”. Although the officer listed in the notes: “Front plate not attached on public roadway. photo taken”. I keep my front tag in my windshield but last night When it was cleaning before entering the house, i placed it in my... View More

Scott Scherr
Scott Scherr
answered on Nov 29, 2023

Maryland law requires that you affix tags to the front and back of your vehicle. You can request a timely request for a trial and request that the officer that issued the ticket be present. If they fail to appear, you should win. If you are convicted, the judge may cut you a break.

You...
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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Traffic Tickets and Constitutional Law for Maryland on
Q: How close can I approach an officer engaged in a traffic stop with another person?

Of course only legally speaking. If I was just an observer of a traffic stop in progress involving someone else, how close can I get the the car stopped or the officer doing the stop? Can I position myself behind the officer? Can I interact with the driver or passengers, specifically to give... View More

Scott Scherr
Scott Scherr
answered on Nov 12, 2023

You cannot position yourself right behind the officer or the officer may feel you pose a danger. You cannot interfere with the stop or arrest. You can film it since you are in a public place. You should not be interacting with the driver or passengers. You must obey a lawful command of the police... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Maryland on
Q: What's the BJ restriction on my driving licence, although I started driving in MD since more 7years without any citation
Scott Scherr
Scott Scherr
answered on Nov 4, 2023

The "B" restriction is corrective lenses.

The "J" restriction is "Other" so you would need to contact the MVA to see the restriction in your case.

1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Maryland on
Q: If the school bus in front of me was moving and the bus across the street had flashing lights was I at fault?

I'm in the far right lane preparing to turn right and a school bus was going straight in the second lane. When the bus proceeded through the intersection I made a right turn from the far right lane. Am I at fault when the school bus on the opposite side of the road had flashing red lights? And... View More

Scott Scherr
Scott Scherr
answered on Oct 22, 2023

You must stop for a school bus even if it is going in the opposite direction unless there is a concrete median. It makes no difference that the bus in front of you did not stop. If a police officer gave you the ticket, request a trial within 30 days and go to court. It carries a large fine and... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law and Traffic Tickets for Maryland on
Q: Hi. I violated my probation for driving on suspended, although I haven't been to court on the driving one yet..but I was

Incarcerated when MVA suspended my license, and they suspended it for failure to take driving improvement program, which was during COVID. Can I get out of this one? I mean clearly I got released from prison and started driving, but I honestly didn't know it was suspended

Scott Scherr
Scott Scherr
answered on Oct 15, 2023

Do the driver improvement program now and get your license reinstated. You should retain counsel to represent you since the offense carries possible jail time and the VOP also could lead to jail time. If you get your license reinstated, there is a good chance an attorney can keep you out of jail.

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1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Maryland on
Q: Hello there I was pulling over by an officer for not having my license plate attached to the front of my vehicle

They towed my car, gave me a citation, but on the citation, it states that failure to attach vehicle registration plates at front and rear which is a lie because my back plate was attached. What should I do?

Scott Scherr
Scott Scherr
answered on Sep 29, 2023

This was a proper charge. The law states that your license plate must be attached to the front and back (both). Since it was not attached to the front of the vehicle, it violated the statute.

You have the option of going to court by requesting a trial. The police officer may not show up or...
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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Traffic Tickets for Maryland on
Q: A friend gave me a tag to put on my car to keep it parked in parking lot of my home. Come to find out it was a stolen

Tag. I did not know it was stolen. What's going to happen to me

Scott Scherr
Scott Scherr
answered on Sep 15, 2023

If you have been charged with a crime, you should retain counsel to represent you. If not, you need to remove it from your vehicle right away. You should seek legal advice about what to do with it.

1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Maryland on
Q: I Recently got a car and when I was trying to get a tag from the MVA I was having some trouble with it because of my

Seller giving me a fake bill of sale. While waiting for the investigation to be completed so I can register the car and get a tag my temporary tag was expiring. I ask the MVA if they could issue me a new temporary tag will waiting but they told me they can't. I make the wrong decision to... View More

Scott Scherr
Scott Scherr
answered on Sep 5, 2023

These charges carry possible jail time. You should retain an attorney to represent you. Do not pay any of the tickets. An attorney should be able to keep you out of jail if you have no prior record.

2 Answers | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Maryland on
Q: after being found not guilty for speeding. can a judge say "slow down" after, as if I'm guilty of speeding.

the officer was no show. I was asked to enter a plead. of course I said not guilty. immediately after being found not guilty, the judge made a comment on the record and advised me to slow down. I thought judges are supposed to be unbiased, partial, etc..I am serious thinking to file a complaint... View More

Mark Oakley
Mark Oakley
answered on Aug 30, 2023

So, you’re saying you were truly innocent, the officer’s laser/radar/Lidar device or speedometer on his cruiser was not working properly, and had he showed up you would have won? In that case, you can be upset. But if you were clocked on laser equipment the device number for the equipment used... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Maryland on
Q: I renewed my registration but forgot to put the sticker on my license plate, and got a ticket. Can I get it removed?

My license plate expired 7/31. I renewed well before and had the updated registration card with the new sticker in the glove box, but forgot to put it on the license plate. On 8/23, I parked in free street parking and came back to my car having a ticket for “expired tags”. Is there any grace... View More

Scott Scherr
Scott Scherr
answered on Aug 24, 2023

You can request a trial within the required time limit and go to court. You should also demand the presence of the parking attendant. If they fail to appear, the ticket should be dismissed. If they appear, show the judge proof that you renewed your tags before they expired and the judge may give... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Maryland on
Q: do Title21,Subtitle8 are IN effect doing non school days, i received a speeding citation going 12miles over the speed

the speed is 25 m i was traveling 37m at about 6:00 pm schools are out for the summer

Scott Scherr
Scott Scherr
answered on Aug 8, 2023

I assume that this is a camera citation. If so, it is a $40.00 fine and no points are assessed so it may not be worth fighting it.

Under Maryland law, camera tickets can be issued Monday through Friday between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m....
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1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Maryland on
Q: How do I fight a DC cam ticket where I supplied evidence I was not there? They closed this but put it into collections.

In Oct '22 I received a speed camera ticket from the DC DMV (I am a MD resident). The issue is that I was definitively NOT on the road at the timestamp on the ticket but in with a doctor, which was verified with a written letter from him. This letter and my disagreement with this ticket was... View More

Scott Scherr
Scott Scherr
answered on Jul 25, 2023

You may want to repost your question to DC attorneys by listing the location as DC.

3 Answers | Asked in Traffic Tickets and Criminal Law for Maryland on
Q: My 20 year old daughter tried to get in a club in MD with a fake ID that had her real name & picture, with a different

Birthdate. We live in Pa. She’s a top student & has never been in trouble.Can she plead guilty & ask for the diversion program? What is the best avenue to try to get a misdemeanor off her record? Thank you.

Lee Eidelberg
Lee Eidelberg
answered on Jun 27, 2023

I wholeheartedly agree with my colleagues' previous responses. Having handled countless cases involving young adults using internet generated fake I.D.'s, it is not uncommon, provided a Defendant has no prior convictions or similar offenses in their history, to avoid formal prosecution.... View More

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