Salisbury Traffic Lawyer
While a traffic violation initially may not seem like a very serious matter, it can have unexpected consequences, especially if you have a history of previous traffic violations. A simple speeding ticket adds points to your license, can drastically increase your vehicle insurance rates, and carries a hefty fine. For more serious types of traffic violations or multiple minor traffic violations, the penalties can be even more severe and lasting.
If you are facing any type of traffic violation, you may want to get the advice of an experienced Salisbury traffic lawyer before you automatically pay that ticket or make any quick decisions. Call a seasoned criminal defense attorney today and set up a consultation.
Examples of Minor Traffic Offenses
Many traffic violations result in a ticket, a fine, and points on your license. While these repercussions are not pleasant and admittedly hard on your wallet, they generally do not result in jail time unless individuals accrue multiple minor traffic offenses within a short period of time. Some examples of minor traffic offenses include the following:
- Speeding
- Failure to make a complete stop at a stop sign
- Driving while suspended (depending on the reason for the suspension)
- Failure to signal
- Texting and driving
In these cases, individuals can opt to pay a traffic fine, request a trial date, or plead guilty with an explanation and request a waiver hearing.
However, even in the case of minor traffic infractions, the consequences could become more serious for individuals who accrue multiple minor offenses. The amount of points on individuals’ licenses, which build up due to traffic offenses, can get to a point that they risk suspension of their driver’s licenses.
Plus, failing to pay traffic tickets or appear in court as ordered can result in individuals’ drivers’ licenses being suspended. When minor offenses get to this level, consultation with a Salisbury traffic attorney may be helpful.
Examples of Major Traffic Offenses
Some traffic violations under Maryland law can result in more severe consequences than having to pay a ticket or adding a few points to your license. For example, first convictions for a “hit-and-run” or “failure to report” offense can result in up to 60 days of incarceration. Driving while intoxicated will trigger an automatic suspension of your driver’s license. Other traffic violations that cause individuals to suffer harsh penalties include:
- Fleeing and eluding
- Aggressive driving
- Driving while intoxicated
- Driving without insurance
Repeated or multiple violations of these laws, which are considered to be misdemeanors, can result in increasingly severe punishments, including additional periods of license suspension and jail sentences.
How a Traffic Attorney Could Help
An accomplished Salisbury traffic attorney may be able to evaluate individuals’ driving records, explore options for resolving current tickets or charges, and determine the best course of action. The goal is to avoid accruing points in rapid succession so that individuals’ situations suddenly and unavoidably have harsh repercussions.
For instance, suppose individuals first are convicted of DUI, which adds a large number of points to their licenses and suspends their licenses. They soon end up in a situation in which they have no one to drive them to work, so they drive themselves – and end up with a charge for driving while suspended.
If this cycle continues, individuals may not have a valid driver’s license for a lengthy period of time and the fines only will continue to accumulate.
Talk to a Salisbury Traffic Attorney
What starts out as a minor traffic violation can quickly become an expensive and inconvenient mess if you are not careful. Not showing up in court, failing to pay tickets, and accruing multiple traffic violations all can result in a driver’s license suspension, higher fines, and even jail time, in some cases.
Additionally, other traffic offenses are more serious in nature and can result in a jail sentence, even for a first-time offender. Working with a Salisbury traffic lawyer may help you evaluate your situation and make the decisions that are calculated to be the least disruptive to your life.
