Receiving a Maryland DMV traffic citation or ticket is very common. There are various reasons for them. Sometimes we do something and therefore get served rightfully, sometimes we get a ticket even though we know we didn’t deserve it.
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Types of Violation in Maryland MVA
In Maryland, there are two different violations, they are:
Payable Violations
- In these cases, you can be discharged by liability simply by paying the fine. To know for sure whether you received a payable citation or not check if the officer has checked the “payable fine” box on the handwritten citation or electronic version. Imprisonment is not awarded in these cases.
Such citations include speeding ticket etc.
Must Appear Citations
- These are those citations in which you have to appear for sure. If you have received this citation you will automatically receive trial date notices.
Such citations are received in cases of driving on a suspended license or driving under the influence of alcohol.
In the State of Maryland Traffic Citation Fact sheets are of two kinds. They are:
Handwritten and Electronic traffic citations
The officer generally serves two copies of handwritten citation to you and one printed copy of electronic traffic citation if you are charged with a payable traffic offense.
To receive more information about must appear traffic citations visit your District Court or contact the District Court Traffic Processing Center via Telephone at 1-800-492-2656 or 410-260-1093.
In case you have received a traffic citation in Maryland, there is not much that can be done. However, there are the few options that you can resort to, they are:
- You can try challenging it in court by pleading not guilty, or
- Enter into a payment plan, or
- Plead guilty and ask for a full waiver, or
- Simply pay it.
However, you must comply with it within 30 days after receiving the citation. You can use any of the above mentioned modes to discharge your liability. In case you are not aware about the details, go through this article to understand what are the modes to avail other options.
Plead Not Guilty
Go through your ticket and find an option saying “Request a trial”.
Click that box.
Enter the date and sign the ticket.
Now mail it to the following address:
District Court Traffic Processing Center
P. 0. Box 6676
Annapolis, MD 21401
This way you will be able get yourself a trial. But in order to do so, you must complete and return your option form to the following address:
District Court of MD
PO Box 6676
Annapolis, MD 21401
Since this is a full fledged trial the officer who gave you the ticket will also be present in the court. He will be asked to testify and you will be given an opportunity to present your side. After hearing both sides the court will make a decision. There are equal chances of getting acquitted or guilt being established.
You can also ask to bring in a few witnesses if you have any to support your case.
What to do in case of an address change?
If your address is changed before receiving the notice of trial date, inform the court as soon as possible.
To notify the court to mail them an address change request via the following form.
Don’t forget to mention the following information in this form
- The case number
- Your party status in relation to the case (Defendant, Witness, etc.)
- Name and address.
Important Note: Mail this form to the court in whose jurisdiction you got the ticket.
What to do in case of a lost traffic citation?
In case, if you’ve lost traffic citation. Fill the option form using following link.
Fill in all the particulars and send it back to the Traffic Processing Center within 30 days of receiving the citation.
What to do in case of a need to change the trial date?
In this case try submitting a written request to the trial court that has to hear the case. Don’t forget to attach the reasons in support of your request to get a better shot at getting the date change request accepted by the court.
What happens in case of failure to appear before the trial court?
MVA is notified and an action to suspend the license is taken.
For more information visit the clerk desk at the nearest District Court of Maryland.
Enter into a payment plan
Go through your ticket and find an option saying “Request a payment plan”.
Click that box.
Enter the date and sign the ticket.
Now mail it to the following address:
District Court Traffic Processing Center
P. 0. Box 6676
Annapolis, MD 21401
This way you will be able to enroll yourself into a payment plan. But to do so, you have to complete and return your option form to the following address:
District Court of MD
PO Box 6676
Annapolis, MD 21401
Important Note: You must be qualified to enter into a payment plan or atleast have an outstanding fine worth a minimum of $150.
Plead guilty and ask for a Full Waiver
Go through your ticket and find an option saying “Request a waiver hearing”.
Click that box.
Enter the date and sign the ticket.
Mail this to the district court on the addresses mentioned hereinbefore.
This will help you get a complete waiver and if you are charged with a must appear offense, you might be granted probation.
However, such a hearing before the court is not a trial. This hearing is only an opportunity for you to explain to the judge your side of the story and get your fine reduced or completely waived off.
The decision of reducing the fine completely depends on the Judge’s discretion and in certain cases it can be raised up to $500. If you are aggrieved by the decision, you have the right to appeal.
Plead guilty and pay the Full Fine
Most people prefer this mode of discharging their liability and pay the full fine. This saves time and efforts involved in other procedures.
There are different ways to pay the full fine.
Pay Ticket Fine Online
Click on the following link and pay the fine online.
Important Note: You will have to pay a non-refundable convenience fee.
Pay by using Telephone
Call the following number to pay the fine via telephone.
(800) 492-2656
It is an interactive voice response (IVR) system. You can pay your fine from here directly using any Credit Card.
Note: If you want to request a waiver or plead not guilty do not pay using IVR.
Pay by Mail
Send a mail to the following address to pay the fine.
District Court Traffic Processing Center
P. 0. Box 6676
Annapolis, MD 21401
You can pay by mail using a check or money order to the District Court of MD. You will also have to Return to Court a copy of a handwritten version of the traffic citation in the envelope attached. In case you have received more than one citation, place all of them inside the same envelope.
In case you have received the citation as a copy of an electronic traffic citation, mail the option form by cutting on the dotted line to the address below.
District Court of MD
PO Box 6676
Annapolis, MD 21401
Important Note: To make sure that the fine you pay is credited properly, write down your citation number on the payment.
If you have any doubt regarding the address of the District Court or any other information please contact the District Court’s Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system by calling at 1-800-492-2656.
As mentioned above you can also pay using this system. They accept all credit cards for payment of traffic citations.
Pay in Person
You can also pay your fine in person by Visiting the District Court. Go to the cashier’s office to pay the fine. If you decide to pay using a credit card, you will have to pay an added service charge along with your fine.
Pay at your local Motor Vehicle administration office
Use the following link And pay at your local Motor Vehicle administration office.
Conclusion:
We hope this helped you get a little insight into the different ways of how you can pay your ticket. It is unfortunate that you got served, but choose the smartest of all the options above and make a wise decision as to how you will handle this situation.