Will the court be lenient with me?
In Maryland, driving without car insurance is a misdemeanor offense. This is different than a regular payable ticket. You would not be able to simply go online and pay the fine. The court will require you to make an appearance.
As a first-time offender, the specific penalties you face will depend on a few different things:
- Was your car insurance valid at the time of the stop?
- Is your auto insurance valid now?
- Were you involved in an accident?
- If so, was anyone injured?
Was your car insurance valid at the time of the incident?
Sometimes we have a valid insurance policy, but we didn’t have our proof of insurance with us. If this is the case, then your lawyer may be able to negotiate with the prosecutor for a favorable outcome.
What if I didn’t have insurance and I was pulled over by the police?
If you didn’t have a valid policy at the time of the stop, then you may have received a ticket for knowingly driving without insurance. This is a more serious offense which can carry fines and even possible jail time. You will have to appear in court. A Maryland uninsured driver attorney can give a first-time offender guidance on the proper steps to take before you go to court.
What if I was involved in an accident and didn’t have insurance?
This is a little more complicated. The court is going to want to speak to the victim to see if they were properly compensated for their damages. You will be responsible for paying for damage to the victim’s car and also any medical bills. Having a valid insurance policy when you get to court will be critical – even if you have compensated the victim for their damages. A skilled attorney is a must in this type of situation.
Will my clean record help?
As a first-time offender, your clean traffic and criminal history will certainly be a benefit. A good record shows the judge that this is an isolated incident. A person with no prior offenses tells the court that you are not in the habit of driving without proper insurance coverage. The court may very likely take your record into consideration. Your Maryland traffic lawyer will know how to present this to the judge.
Benefits of having a lawyer for your driving without insurance charge…
- Lawyers know how to prepare you for a favorable result in court.
- Lawyers know how to negotiate with prosecutors.
- Lawyers understand the law.
- Lawyers know when to settle and when to take a case to trial.