I received a traffic ticket, what can I do?
Watch a video about traffic court or read your options below.
If you receive a payable traffic ticket where jail time is not a possibility, take one of the following four (4) actions within 30 days:
Option A: Pay the full fine and plead "guilty"
- Pay online
- Pay by telephone: (800) 492-2656
- Pay by mail - send to:
District Court Traffic Processing Center
P.O. Box 6676
Annapolis, MD 21401 - Pay in person at any local District Court
- Pay using the Maryland Uniform Traffic Citation Payment Kiosk at your local Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) office
OR
NEW Option B: Request to enter into a payment plan under § 7–504.1 of the Courts Article, if you have at least $150 in total outstanding fines and are otherwise qualified to enter into a payment plan.
- Check "request a Payment Plan" for each violation in which a payment plan is requested, sign, date at the bottom of the ticket and mail the form within 30 days to the address shown as soon as possible.
OR
Option C: Ask for a waiver hearing to plead "guilty with an explanation"
- Check the "Request a Waiver Hearing" box on the ticket.
- Sign and date the ticket.
- Mail the ticket to the District Court Traffic Processing Center
P.O. Box 6676
Annapolis, MD 21401
OR
Option D: Ask for a trial to plead "not guilty"
- Check the "Request a Trial" box on the ticket.
- Sign and date the ticket.
- Mail the ticket to:
District Court Traffic Processing Center
P.O. Box 6676
Annapolis, MD 21401
What if I lost my ticket?
If you lost your ticket, you can use the Lost or Missing Citation Option Form (DR-490) to select any of the above three options.
The Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration may assess points on your license if you plead guilty or the court finds you guilty of the violation.
If you don't respond within 30 days, the District Court will notify the MotorVehicle Administration to begin the driver's license suspension process.
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.
What happens at traffic court?
If you requested a waiver hearing or trial, the District Court will mail you a date to appear in court.
Waiver Hearing
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.
You can explain to the judge why you committed the offense, or explain extenuating circ*mstances.
Trial
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.
If the court finds you guilty, you have the right to an appeal within 30 days of your trial date. There are non-refundable court costs for filing an appeal.
If you change your mind and decide you don't want to go to court, you can pay the fine at any time up until your court date to avoid going to court.
If you don't appear for your court date, the District Court will notify the Motor Vehicle Administration to begin the driver's license suspension process.
What if I receive a Notice to Appear as a witness?
If you receive a Notice to Appear as a witness in a traffic case, the date, time and court location appears on the notice. Call the court the day before the trial date to confirm that the case is still on the docket. If you are unable to appear on the scheduled date, notify the court in writing prior to that date by mail. Include the citation number, defendant’s name, trial date and location, a brief explanation of why you are unable to attend, your name and your daytime phone number.
How long do trials/hearings take?
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.
How do I check to see if I have an outstanding suspension?
The Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration maintains all motor vehicle records, including outstanding suspensions. You can reach the MVA by calling (800) 950-1MVA (out of state (410) 768-7000).What if I cannot afford to pay my traffic tickets?
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.
Pleas
What are 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 circ*mstances. 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.
Verdicts
When a verdict is rendered— either by a jury or judge—the actual decision is either “guilty” or “not guilty.” There is no finding of “innocent.” However, a defendant, if found "not guilty", can be described as having been acquitted. If there is a finding of "not guilty," it simply reflects the fact that the prosecution failed to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Common resolutions of cases other than by findings of "not guilty" and "guilty" include:
- Nolle Pros. The State opts to end the prosecution and dismisses the charge.
- Stet. A suspension of the prosecution. The State may reopen the case without the need for the defendant to be recharged. A case may be reopened because of the defendant’s arrest on additional charges or his/her failure to live up to some agreed-to-condition within a reasonable time after the entry of the stet.
- PBJ-Probation before judgment. This is a common resolution in many District Court trials. The defendant is found guilty or pleads guilty. However, the final entry of judgment is technically suspended. This gives the defendant an opportunity to request expungement of his record upon successful completion of the conditions or probation.
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 - 1-800-492-2656 or 410-260-1093
Red Light and Speed Monitoring Citations
How and where do I file a complaint against red light or speed monitoring traffic 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.
