Maryland law states that you need to have insurance on your vehicle before you can drive it. Accordingly, at the time when the police pulled you over and gave you the ticket, you would need to show proof of insurance. If your car was not insured, then the officer would have probable cause to write you the ticket.
Getting insurance on your car before your court date may get you a better result.
The court will want to see that you are acting responsible. One way to show this would be for you to obtain a valid insurance policy on your car prior to your court date. Getting insurance may not relieve you of your obligation to appear in court and face the charges against you. But, it’s a step in the right direction.
But, what if I sold the car after getting the ticket?
Even though you may have sold the car after getting the ticket, you were still responsible for having had the car insured at the time when you were driving it. Indeed, sometimes the police will tow your car, and you just didn’t have the money to get it out of the impound yard. So, your car is gone. But understand, that in order for the State to convict you, they would only have to show that at the time you were operating the vehicle, the car was uninsured. The fact that you no longer own the vehicle will not relieve you of the responsibility of having the car insured at the time of the stop.
How can I show the court that I am trying to act responsibly if I no longer own the car and cannot insure it?
This is where having a skilled lawyer can help you. An experienced attorney may be able to help you present your case to the prosecutor in a way that might help you obtain a more favorable result. Many people will come to court and make this exact argument to the prosecutor. The State may be wary of such claims. The State’s Attorney’s Office has a duty to the people to make sure that all vehicles on the road are insured at the time they were being driven. A competent lawyer will know how to offer an assurance to the prosecutor so that the State can feel confident that the public is safe from uninsured drivers.
Reasons to consider hiring an experienced driving without insurance lawyer…
- Reducing Fines and Penalties
- Protecting Your MVA Driving Record
- Handling the Court Process
- Negotiating With the Prosecutor on Your Behalf
- Long-Term Financial Savings
The penalty in Maryland for driving without insurance is one year in jail, a fine of up to $1,000, and 5 points on your license. A skilled lawyer can help you navigate through the court process.
A final thought – Find a lawyer that you feel comfortable with – and then trust their judgement.