Paying Your Traffic Ticket

Traffic citations are cleared through the local district courts. There are two brands of infractions that an officer can issue you upon a traffic stop. You can also receive a warning, which might result in some written paperwork, but is usually of the verbal variety. This entails you going on your merry way, possibly to buy a lottery ticket, because luck will be on your side.

In the case you are issued the more severe of the infraction types, "must appear," there is a good chance you will not need to worry about what to do or where to pay the ticket at that point. This is usually due to your immediate arrest and transport to the nearest police station.

"Must appear" violations are usually handed down for the more serious traffic infractions: driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs, eluding an officer, leaving the scene of an accident, and driving with a suspended or revoked license. These tickets usually require the services of an attorney and a bit of legal finagling. So your options are rather limited and determined for you.

In cases of a DUI the defendant can possibly prevent the full revocation or suspension of a license by attending the state's alcohol education program. For more details, see DUI/DWI on this site.

Payable Citations

On the other end of the spectrum there is the run-of-the-mill version of citations. These do not result in any criminal charges and can be paid by writing a check or obtaining a money order and sending it off to a district court.

But you are not limited to pleading guilty and letting the chips fall where they may. Because, in many instances, points will be assessed to your record and this will spur your insurance company to inch up your rates. Thus, it is important to mull over your three options:

Plead Guilty and Pay

When you receive a ticket you will get two paper copies: one for your files and the other to submit with your payment. If you admit to the charge and accept the consequences of the Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) tacking on points to your record then you have a few ways to settle the affair with the court and 15 days to do it:

• In person: Visit any district court and pay the fine. This allows you to use a credit card, although there is an added fee to do this.

• Online: Now you can pay certain traffic citations online. A fee will be charged for the convenience of paying online.

• Over the phone: Contact the Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system at (800) 492-2656. This service provided by the court allows you to type in the citation number and pay up using a credit card (with the same added fee charged).

• Snail mail: Enclose the appropriate copy of the ticket along with a check or money order for the fine and send it to:
  • District Court Traffic Processing Center
  • P.O. Box 6676
  • Annapolis, MD 21401

Guilty But...

This is a bit like going to court, but without all the hoopla of a trial (the issuing officer does not come, etc.). Instead you will check the "waiver" box on the citation and mail it into the courts requesting a hearing. At this hearing you get the chance to go over any of the reasons that led to the violation for which you have been charged.

Basically, you are going before a judge and asking for leniency. This can come in the form of the magistrate knocking down the fine or even dismissing it. It can also result in a deal where you attend traffic school or the state's Driver Improvement Program to have the citation dismissed or to avoid the points going on your record.

The downside to this process is that things could actually backfire and the judge could up the penalties. Plus, to request a hearing involves out-of-pocket court fees on your end. If you are still set on pleading you side of the story, mail the citation to:

• Court Traffic Processing Center

• P.O. Box 6676

• Annapolis, MD 21401

Go to Trial

If you think you have a case and completely disagree with the officer issuing the citation, then do nothing. After 15 days, the district court will send out a notice of trial. This will tell you the date and courthouse where you must appear to present your case. Make sure that you do show up on the required date.

If you don't show up, the court sends word to the Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA), who in turn suspends your driving privilege. You can request a change of date by contacting the district court hearing the case. If the outcome is not in your favor you have 30 days to file an appeal.

For related information, see Find Attorneys, Driving Records, DMV Point System, Suspended License, Tickets & Traffic School, and Traffic Schools on this site.