OFF THE WIRE
http://wheaton-md.patch.com/articles/state-traffic-ticket-laws-to-change-in-2011
Police & Fire, Government State Traffic Ticket Laws To Change in 2011
No more automatic trial dates will be given.
December 2010 Ryan McDermott
If you get a ticket from now on, you won't be given an automatic trial date when a state law goes into effect Jan. 1. A driver who wants a trial will have to request a trial date with the District Court of Maryland. Currently, Maryland law requires that a driver who gets a payable traffic ticket for an offense that does not require jail time automatically receives a court trial date. When the new law takes effect Jan. 1, drivers who get a payable traffic ticket will have three options. Either a driver can pay the full amount, ask for a waiver hearing with the district court or ask for a trial date with the district court. Waiver hearings are for drivers who don't dispute the traffic ticket, and want to plead guilty, but want to have a judge hear an explanation before being sentenced.
The other type of traffic violation in Maryland is "Must Appear." These violations include driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs or driving on a suspended license. "Must Appear" violations are not affected by the new law.
Drivers who get a payable traffic ticket must comply with the new law within 30 days by paying the fine, asking for a waiver hearing or asking for a trial. If drivers do not choose one of these options within 30 days, they risk having their license suspended by the Motor Vehicle Administration.
If drivers opt to pay the traffic ticket fine, they may do so by mail, online by credit card at http://www.mdcourts.gov/, by phone with a credit card at 1-800-492-2656, or in person at any District Court of Maryland location.
