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Maryland Traffic Tickets Questions & Answers
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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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

Mark Oakley
Mark Oakley
answered on Aug 30, 2023

Forgetting to put the sticker on your plate is not a defense to the charge, which is displaying expired tags. Emphasis on “displaying”. The ticket carries no points and is not a moving violation, so it will have zero impact on your insurance rates. In other words, paying the fine has no... 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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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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2 Answers | Asked in Land Use & Zoning, Real Estate Law, Traffic Tickets and Municipal Law for Maryland on
Q: I live in a private neighborhood and an individual who is not a resident stores his vehicles infront of my property 24/7

Minimum of 1 car but up to 3. They are left there from 1 week up to 4 months. The roads are owned by the county not the HOA. So far all I can do is have them tagged as abandoned at which time the owner is notified and moves the car for 1 day and then returns it. I have to believe this is illegal... View More

Richard Sternberg
Richard Sternberg
answered on May 29, 2023

You might need to hit the books better or retain someone who can. I recall reading something that limited parking on public roads to a time limit unless the road was adjacent to your home, but it might have been Montgomery County Code. The County and incorporated city codes are often unindexed and... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Land Use & Zoning, Real Estate Law, Traffic Tickets and Municipal Law for Maryland on
Q: I live in a private neighborhood and an individual who is not a resident stores his vehicles infront of my property 24/7

Minimum of 1 car but up to 3. They are left there from 1 week up to 4 months. The roads are owned by the county not the HOA. So far all I can do is have them tagged as abandoned at which time the owner is notified and moves the car for 1 day and then returns it. I have to believe this is illegal... View More

Mark Oakley
Mark Oakley
answered on May 29, 2023

Unfortunately, I didn’t see anything in the Harford County Code that would help you. It’s a public street. You do not own the right to restrict use of the roadway in front of your home. As mentioned, you might organize an HOA or civic association for your neighborhood and lobby to have... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Traffic Tickets, Civil Rights and Constitutional Law for Maryland on
Q: Can a police officer take a photo of my feet with his cell phone, while I'm being detained awaiting processing?
Mark Oakley
Mark Oakley
answered on May 7, 2023

Seems a bit odd. Is there an evidence based reason for doing so? Did a witness or security camera footage identify the offender in part by their footwear or feet? Was this a DUI where you failed to perform field sobriety tests and there’s a potential issue that the type of footwear interfered... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Maryland on
Q: Could I call a tow truck on a car that is blocking the sidewalk for weeks now? Should I leave a notice to move the car?
Lee Eidelberg
Lee Eidelberg
answered on May 5, 2023

If the car leaves and returns to the location and continues to block the sidewalk on each occasion, a note on the windshield might suffice. If the car has remained in place for some time, the better approach might be to call the police and report that the car is seemingly abandoned and/or, if... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Maryland on
Q: Statute Code:TA.21.1124.1.B does that brings points to DL in MD?

Charge No: 1Statute Code:TA.21.1124.1.B

Charge Description: DRIVER WRITING,SENDING,READING A TEXT,ELECTRONIC MSG. WHILE OPER. VEH. IN TRAVEL PORTION OF HWY

Speed Limit: 0 Recorded Speed: 0 Location Stopped: E/B I-70 P/T MM 74

Probable Cause Indicator: No Contributed to... View More

Scott Scherr
Scott Scherr
answered on Apr 26, 2023

This is a 1 point ticket unless there was an accident in which case it is a 3 point ticket. Your post indicates it was not an accident so it should be 1 point. Do not pay it. Request a trial (not a waiver hearing) and go to court. If the police officer does not appear, you will be acquitted. If the... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Maryland on
Q: Does PG County Police need to have authorization on file to enforce moving violation while posted on private property?
Mark Oakley
Mark Oakley
answered on Mar 10, 2023

Once upon a time, the traffic code only applied on public highways and streets maintained by the state or local governments. I won a lot of traffic cases for clients defending under this restriction, including a lot of probable cause stops for DUI based on not moving violations within apartment... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Maryland on
Q: Is ta 21-1001(b) moving violation in Maryland?

I left my car running and entered to buy a coffee. When I returned an officer cited me for leaving my car running. I just want to know if I could just pay the fine$60, if it is not a moving violation. Thanks

Scott Scherr
Scott Scherr
answered on Feb 13, 2023

It is not a moving violation and does not carry points. The statute states that "(b) Except as otherwise provided in this section, on any highway outside of a business district or a residential district, a person may not leave any vehicle standing, without providing an unobstructed width of... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Maryland on
Q: Is ta 21-1001(b) moving violation in Maryland?

I left my car running and entered to buy a coffee. When I returned an officer cited me for leaving my car running. I just want to know if I could just pay the fine$60, if it is not a moving violation. Thanks

Mark Oakley
Mark Oakley
answered on Feb 13, 2023

The violation you describe is 21-1101, not 21-1001 (which is a similar offense but without the engine running), and it carries 1 point in addition to the fine, so if charged under this section, you should request a trial (not a waiver hearing); however, if the officer made a mistake and charged you... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Maryland on
Q: I got ticket charged with 13-411(f), but have record of renewal of 2023 and 2024. Should I contest in court?

I'm driving my brother's car and got ticket at parking lot. Ticket description: displaying expired LC plate, decal expired 2022. But I have record of renewing and did put sticker for 2023 (expired in March). Now the sticker isn't there and I was charged. Should I contest? What will I need?

Scott Scherr
Scott Scherr
answered on Feb 9, 2023

Request a trial within 30 days and go to court. Bring proof that the tags were current and explain to the judge what happened. You should also replace the sticker and bring proof (a picture) of the new sticker. If the police officer appears, you will be acquitted. You can still have a trial even if... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets, Criminal Law and Civil Rights for Maryland on
Q: How should we proceed with the search that looks like was unlawful and a violation of rights.

My son which is a black 21 year old male was recently arrested in Ocean City MD over the weekend 12/31/22 for what we can only see as him being profiled but we live in Virginia. He was told by the police officer that pulled him over that his license plates didn't match his car and that he... View More

Mark Oakley
Mark Oakley
answered on Feb 3, 2023

Your son needs a criminal defense lawyer. Either he/you can afford private counsel, or he needs to apply for the Public Defender in the county where the charges are pending. The lawyer will obtain all of the discovery and evidence from the State (including officer dash video and body camera video... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Maryland on
Q: In MD, school bus' flashing lights came on while I was next to it headed in the opposite direction. Can I fight ticket?

I received a ticket (Maryland State 21, Subtitle 7 of the Transportation article violation) for driving past a stopped school bus with flashing lights and the stop sign extended in PG County, MD. I was on a two-lane road, going in the opposite direction from the bus. Looking at the footage, the... View More

Scott Scherr
Scott Scherr
answered on Jan 22, 2023

You should request a trial and go to court. The judge will watch the video and you can testify to what happened. The judge will decide the case. If it was a camera ticket (as opposed to being stopped by a police officer), then there are no points assessed.

1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Maryland on
Q: I changed lanes safely in front of a vehicle with flashing lights. I thought I was using the proper distance and I made

a lane change. I was stopped by highway police. Not understanding why?

Scott Scherr
Scott Scherr
answered on Jan 20, 2023

If you received a traffic ticket, you should request a trial within 30 days of the ticket and go to court. If the police officer does not appear, you would be acquitted. If the police officer appears, you can have a trial. Even if you are convicted, the judge can offer probation before judgment... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Maryland on
Q: I was given a ticket on I-95N for Maryland's TA 22-223 (c) by a Sheriff. Can I fight this with lawyer or pay the fine?

It was on 01/11/2023 at 7:43 PM on I-95 North at MM 80. There was slight fog and I was using my High Beam of headlights. After a while a cop was following me for less than half mile and then gave me a ticket with Maryland's TA - 22-223 (c) in Harford county. Ticket says I need to pay $60 fine... View More

Mark Oakley
Mark Oakley
answered on Jan 14, 2023

Subsection (c) of this section of the Code makes it a violation to drive behind another vehicle within 300 feet with your high beams on. It is unclear how this officer determined you were violating that section, as the officer was behind you. The charge is not a moving violation and carries no... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Maryland on
Q: If I got a camera ticket in a company car, do I have to pay it. My name is not on the ticket.
Mark Oakley
Mark Oakley
answered on Dec 20, 2022

Great question! So, a camera ticket is mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle. Because obviously, the State has no idea who was driving, and the law presumes that it was the registered owner. But! It is a rebuttable presumption! The registered owner can contest the citation by identifying... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Maryland on
Q: If i got a Traffic violation ticket in a company vehicle during business hours, do I have to pay the ticket? State MD
Mark Oakley
Mark Oakley
answered on Dec 20, 2022

Is it a camera ticket? That’s going to the registered owner of the vehicle and will be an issue between you and your employer. If it’s issued to you after a stop, you are the one being charged with the violation, unless it’s equipment related. If it’s not based on a moving violation, then... View More

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