SO, YOU GOT A TRAFFIC TICKET…

Woman driver looking at traffic ticket.

It’s happened to you.  You’re frustrated and worried.  In short, it sucks….  But don’t feel too bad.  It’s happened to all of us.  Yes, we have all gotten a traffic citation at one point or another. The question is: What are you going to do about it?  You have a few options at your disposal.

First things first, ensure that you do not get any more tickets before your court date.  The law does not look kindly on what it refers to as subsequent offenders.  If you are convicted of an offense more than once, the judge is less likely to be persuaded for leniency in sentencing.

Before you do anything else, examine your own wallet.  Is your driver’s license valid and not expired?  Also, check to see that you have paid for any past tickets and are up to date with any child support you may owe.  Such derelictions could easily result in suspensions of your license.

Then, go and examine your own vehicle.  Verify that your license plates are up to date with the correct validation tabs, your windows are not overly tinted, you don’t have a cracked windshield, all your lights on the outside of the car are working, etc.  In addition, make sure you drive with seat belts for yourself and don’t have your hands on your cell phone while the car is in motion.  Also, make sure to stop at all stop signs and red lights. 

All of these issues—and a myriad of others—are reasons that a police officer can stop you while you drive—and the police officer only needs one potential infraction to pull you over.   

An officer only needs what is known in the law as “reasonable, articulable suspicion” of a crime to pull you over.  According to case law, an officer cannot act on just a hunch.  But what may seem a minor issue, such as even a burned out headlight or failure to turn off your bright lights, can be an infraction and, therefore, a sufficient reason to stop you.  That little light above your license plate, if burned out, can be a reason to be pulled over too. It is wise to remember that police use license plate readers so they can learn a lot about your vehicle and driving history without ever pulling you over or making contact with you.

If you are stopped by an officer, please keep in mind that you must always show your license and registration; refusing to do so can be a violation that results in a fine.  In Maryland, Officers should tell you at the beginning of the stop that you are being recorded both for audio and visual footage since all officers here wear a body-worn camera. 

At the end of the day, a traffic ticket doesn’t have to derail your life. What matters is how you handle it. If you’re facing a citation and aren’t sure of your next step, don’t go it alone. Hire a lawyer for traffic tickets. At Williams, McClernan, & Stack LLC our team of experienced attorneys can guide you through the process and help protect your license, your wallet, and your record. Schedule a consultation today to discuss your options.

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