What is the difference between requesting a waiver hearing and a trial

First, there is never a compelling reason to elect a waiver hearing over a trial. Why give up the chance to seek a dismissal or not guilty finding if the Officer or Trooper fails to appear without prior excuse or explanation?

Always request a trial rather than a waiver hearing! Additionally, whether a waiver hearing or trial is elected, an offender can avoid appearing in court altogether and have counsel appear in their stead. Such circumstances should always be addressed when you hire counsel to assist you.

The judge is not bound by the fine amount that is listed on the ticket for the citation for citations. But, the Judge may also reduce the fine down to zero. In addition to the fine, you will also have to pay court costs possibly for each charge. A PBJ keeps the ticket off of your public driving record. Lowering your fine is at the discretion of the judge. If the judge renders a guilty verdict, you have the right to an appeal. There are non-refundable court costs for filing an appeal.

A "probation before judgment" cannot be appealed. If you do not receive a trial date within six weeks, contact the District Court in the county in which you received the ticket. At your trial, the officer who issued your ticket will testify, and you will have an opportunity to present your side of the case. After hearing both sides, the judge will render a decision. You have the right to an appeal within 30 days of your trial date, if you are found guilty. The post office will not forward Court mail, and updating your address with MVA does not update your address with the Court.

The District Court is unable to conduct official court business through e-mail. If you have lost or misplaced your traffic citation use the option form provided here. Follow the instructions for completing the form, select your option, print, date, sign, and return the form to the Traffic Processing Center within 30 days after receipt of the citation.

Use the Judiciary's Online Case Search to access information such as citation number, fine amount, date of the violation, and county in which you received the citation in order to have your payment or request applied correctly. For other types of citations, see below. If you have witnesses that can support your case, you are responsible for alerting them to the date, time, and location of your trial. You have the right to retain legal counsel for the proceeding. If you wish to request a change in the trial date , submit your request in writing to the District Court where your trial or hearing will be heard with an explanation of the circumstances that require the change and include any supporting documentation.

Your request is not automatically granted; it is up to a judge to determine whether to change your trial date. If you fail to appear for trial , the MVA will be notified and will take action to suspend your license. Driving on a suspended license is a criminal offense for which you can receive jail time.

Common resolutions of cases other than by findings of "not guilty" and "guilty" include:. The Motor Vehicle Authority handles driving records. However, to obtain certified records of traffic citations, copies of tickets, charging documents, etc. Complaints about the location or operation of these cameras should be sent to the address on the citation. In most cases this is the address of the police or state agency. Please note: these citations are not found on the Judiciary's Case Search and if a ticket was lost - please contact the local jurisdiction where you received the ticket, the Maryland State Police if on a state highway, or the Maryland Transportation Authority if it was a toll violation.

As stated on the red light, speed monitoring, school bus monitoring, and electronic toll violation citations: "Payment of the penalty amount for the violation will not result in points and cannot be used to increase your insurance rates. Various vendors manufacture the cameras used in red light, speed monitoring, school bus, and electronic toll traffic programs. For information on how these cameras operate, contact the local police department in the municipality where the camera is located or, if on a state highway or toll facility, the Maryland State Police or Maryland Transportation Authority.

For any other questions, contact the Customer Service number on the back of the citation or the jurisdiction where the citation was issued. These citation programs are operated by local and municipal governments or, if on a state highway or toll facility, the Maryland State Police or Maryland Transportation Authority. Maryland courts only handle these citations if the person who was issued a citation requests a trial date or disputes liability.