…and what to do about it!
Clear the ticket with the county District Court that issued the ticket. Not the Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA).
Steps to Resolve a Suspension:
For Payable Tickets:
Pay the full fine: Paying the fine is an admission of guilt. Any points associated with the ticket may be sent to your driving record.
Fight the ticket: You can request a court date. Depending on the county, you may need to post a “penalty deposit” (collateral) equal to the ticket amount to secure a new court date.
For Must Appear Tickets (Serious Offenses):
If you failed to appear on a serious traffic charge in Maryland, then you may very likely have a bench warrant. Once you have a bench warrant, the only way to clear your license is to have the warrant recalled. Please note – if you have a bench warrant, and you come into contact with law enforcement, you can be taken into custody.
Here are 2 options to clear the warrant:
- Option 1: Turn yourself in to local law enforcement. This is a cheap, but uncomfortable, way to clear the warrant. Once you turn yourself in, you will be processed and then brought before a commissioner. If the commissioner decides to hold you, then you will be brought before a judge on the next available date. If you are out-of-state, then turning yourself in may require you to be extradited back to Maryland.
- Option 2: File a motion to recall and quash the bench warrant. Having the bench warrant recalled by a judge will lift the warrant and may also reverse the license suspension hold.
Another option for you would be to hire a lawyer to handle your case.
Benefits of hiring a suspended license lawyer:
- Get a Warrant Recalled – A skilled attorney can file paperwork with the court to get the bench warrant quashed. Once it’s recalled, you will not have to worry about being arrested.
Get the Suspension Hold Lifted – A traffic lawyer can get your suspension or registration hold lifted.
Get a New Court Date – An attorney can get you a new court date and possibly even have the original charges dismissed.
Legal Knowledge – You will have a highly trained legal professional. Someone who understands the specifics of traffic law. Also, someone who is familiar with the Maryland court system.
- A Skilled Negotiator – A good lawyer can negotiate with the State prosecutor or law enforcement. Also, a skilled legal samurai knows how to obtain a favorable outcome. And possibly even have the charges dismissed.