Traffic Citations
It’s time for another edition of Traffic Tip Tuesday with Sgt. Eaton!
It was the person in front of me!
My car won’t go that fast!
My grandmother’s college roommate used to be friends with a Deputy!
No matter how good your excuse, sometimes you just can’t talk your way out of a traffic citation. But what do you do AFTER the citation has been issued? Whether you know it or not, you have several options. Let’s get to it!
A traffic citation can quickly ruin your day. Here you were, minding your own business, violating various traffic laws, and now you have to deal with this. Your first option is to simply pay the fine. Most traffic citations have a preset fine you can pay. Go online, stop in at the district court, or go the old-fashioned way and mail in a check. Whatever way you choose, paying the fine is certainly the quickest and easiest way to clear up a traffic citation. Be careful though. Some payable citations will add points to your driving record. If you want to avoid the points, make sure you check before paying.
The second option you have is to plead ‘not guilty’ and request a trial. This means you can have a day in court with the Deputy or Officer who issued the citation. You can bring an attorney, or you can represent yourself. In either case, the Judge will have the final say in what happens with your case.
The third option, which many drivers are not aware of, is called a waiver hearing. A waiver hearing means you are pleading guilty to your case, but you want to offer an explanation. The Judge will hear you out and adjudicate your case. When you request a waiver hearing, the issuing officer/Deputy will not be present to offer any testimony against you. After listening to your explanation, the judge has the option to possibly reduce fines and/or the points. This is a helpful option to have in an instance where, for example, you were definitely speeding, but you feel like you had a reason to do so. The Judge is not obligated to cut you a break, but you get to share your side of the story and hope for some leniency.
As always, if you have a question or concern, please leave it in the comments below. Also, if you have a specific concern with unsafe driving in your area, such as speeding, drag racing, etc., give us a call, send an email, or reach out on social media. Until next week, slow down, pay attention, wear your seatbelt, and drive safely
HCSO Main Line – 410.838.6600
Northern Precinct – 410.692.7880
Southern Precinct – 410.612.1717
HCSO Traffic Unit – 443.409.3324
traffictiptuesday@harfordsheriff.org
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