Anne Arundel County Speeding Lawyer
Speeding is a prevalent offense in the state of Maryland. A large number of individuals discover that they are speeding without realizing exactly how fast their vehicle is going. Motor vehicle operators in Maryland must realize that going over the speed limit by even a small amount is still considered a severe offense.
If you face a speeding ticket, it might be a wise idea to obtain the assistance of an Anne Arundel County speeding lawyer. Get in touch with a skilled traffic attorney today to discuss your case.
Speed Limits and Common Traffic Violation Locations
Standard speed limits in Anne Arundel vary. On Route 97, it is 65 miles per hour (mph), and on route 50, it is 55. These two major roads are the most common locations tickets are issued in Anne Arundel County.
On other roads across the county, the speed limits are often 35 or 40, and residential roads can be less. A person could be pulled over and given a speeding ticket if they are driving even one mile an hour over the speed limit. Police tend to enforce certain areas more than others such as quiet residential areas versus rural highways. This can be due to residential population concentration or simply ease of setting a speed trap.
Speeding charges are dictated by the level of speed over the limit. There are often other charges the accompany particularly egregious speeding charges such as negligent driving, reckless driving, or driving faster than reasonable for the conditions. There might also be a failure to maintain the lane, tailgating or trying to follow a vehicle too close in front of them. Further aggravating factors include attempts to elude an officer, or if a driver is from out of state.
Tools Used in Detecting Speeding
Primarily, police use what is called the LIDAR (Light Detection And Ranging). People often incorrectly call this detection tool RADAR (Radio Detection And Ranging). Officers use this technology from a fixed position to determine a vehicle’s speed via a readout on the LIDAR’s screen. A speeding lawyer in Anne Arundel County may be able to help clarify how speed detection practically works.
An accurate reading from a certifiably sound and calibrated LIDAR device is usually sufficient to prove speeding in court. According to the police, the speed detecting LIDAR instruments are very accurate. Though they are generally considered accurate, these machines can give false-positive results.
Another way to determine speed is by using the pace method. A pace occurs when an officer follows a vehicle for a certain period of time, matching their speed and then recording the other vehicle’s speed relative to the officer’s speedometer. Just like the LIDAR machine, speedometers in police vehicles must be certifiably calibrated and accurate in order for the evidence to be admissible.
How to Contest a Speeding Charge
There is a multitude of ways to challenge a speeding charge from the state. The officer (there is no prosecuting lawyer in a speeding ticket case) must prove they are a certified operator of the equipment, that the equipment was tested to be in working condition before and after the incident, that all events occurred in the jurisdiction where the court lies, and that the officer can positively identify the driver in court as the person driving the vehicle during the incident.
A violation of any of these stipulations usually leads to a verdict of not guilty, or the charges being thrown out. An Anne Arundel County speeding lawyer may be able to work on getting speeding charges thrown out, or mitigating the consequences.
The use of pacing is infrequent, but it is admissible in court as evidence of speeding in Anne Arundel County. With pacing, the officer still must establish all the same stipulations required for a LIDAR reading.
Court Appearances for Speeding Tickets
If it is just a speeding ticket, the individual will show up to court if they request a court date. If they pay for the ticket, then that is it. If they request a court date and mail it in, they will have to go to court. That is for minor traffic violations. If it is more severe or additional traffic violation such as a hit and run, or driving without a license, the driver must appear in court.
If a person is found guilty of speeding, they could be assessed points on their license and potentially have their license suspended. There are also fines that accompany speeding tickets.
Officers usually print out the ticket after a traffic stop immediately. Drivers should expect to either pay the fine and get points on their license or request a court date to challenge the case.
Work with an Experienced Anne Arundel County Speeding Attorney
You do not need to simply accept the fines of a speeding ticket when one is issued. There may be options to dispute the charge and have the case dismissed. With the help of an Anne Arundel County speeding lawyer, you may be able to fight for a better result. Call today to schedule a consultation for your ticket.