Traffic Camera Tickets: Maryland Payment Process Explained

If you've received a traffic camera ticket in Maryland, you may be wondering what your next steps are. Traffic camera tickets are typically issued when a vehicle is detected travelling at least 12 miles above the speed limit by a fixed camera, often in high-traffic or dangerous areas. The good news is that these tickets are considered civil violations, so you won't have to worry about criminal charges or points on your driver's license. In this guide, we'll outline the options available to you for paying or contesting your traffic camera ticket in Maryland, including the associated procedures and consequences.

Paying by phone, mail, in person, or online

If you have received a traffic ticket in Maryland, you have four options:

Paying by phone

You can pay your ticket over the phone by calling (800) 492-2656. You will be required to pay the full fine and plead guilty. Your credit card company will assess a service charge for each citation when you pay by phone.

Paying by mail

You can pay your ticket by mailing a check or money order to the District Court Traffic Processing Center, P.O. Box 6676, Annapolis, MD 21401. Include the citation number on your payment and, if you received an electronic ticket, cut along the dotted line and mail the option form to the address. If you have received multiple citations, you can place all of them in the same envelope.

Paying in person

You can pay your ticket in person at any local District Court or at your local Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) office using the Maryland Uniform Traffic Citation Payment Kiosk. Note that if you choose to pay with a credit card, a service charge will be added to your fine.

Paying online

You can pay your ticket online at the Online Payment Website: https://paymentsolutions.lexisnexis.com/pc/md/city/annapolis/districtcourt. However, a non-refundable convenience fee applies.

Requesting a payment plan

If you receive a payable traffic ticket in Maryland, you have the option to request a payment plan. This option is only available if you have at least $150 in total outstanding fines and are otherwise qualified to enter into a payment plan. To request a payment plan, follow these steps:

• Check "Request a Payment Plan" on the ticket for each violation for which you are requesting a payment plan.
• Sign and date the bottom of the ticket.
• Mail the ticket, along with the option form, within 30 days of receiving the citation to the address shown on the ticket. The address is: District Court of MD, PO Box 6676, Annapolis, MD 21401.

It is important to note that you must take action on your citation within 30 days of receiving it. If you do not request a payment plan or choose one of the other options (paying the fine, requesting a waiver hearing, or requesting a trial), the Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) will be notified and may suspend your driver's license. Driving with a suspended license is a criminal offense that can result in incarceration.

If you have any questions or concerns about your citation or the payment plan process, you can contact the District Court of Maryland or the MVA for more information.

Pleading guilty with an explanation

If you receive a payable traffic ticket in Maryland, you have four options: pay the fine, request a payment plan, ask for a waiver hearing, or request a trial. Pleading guilty with an explanation involves asking for a waiver hearing, which is one of the options available to you. Here's what you need to know about pleading guilty with an explanation:

How to Plead Guilty with an Explanation in Maryland:

To plead guilty with an explanation in Maryland, follow these steps:

• Request a Waiver Hearing: Check the "Request a Waiver Hearing" box on your traffic ticket. This indicates your intention to plead guilty with an explanation.
• Sign and Date the Ticket: Make sure to sign and date the ticket. This is a necessary step to validate your request.
• Mail the Ticket: Send the signed and dated ticket to the District Court Traffic Processing Center at P.O. Box 6676, Annapolis, MD 21401. This initiates the process of scheduling your waiver hearing.
• Understand the Hearing Process: A waiver hearing is not a trial. The officer who issued your ticket and any witnesses will not be present. Instead, the hearing provides you with an opportunity to explain your actions and request a reduction or waiver of your fine or ask for probation instead of a conviction.
• Potential Outcomes: The judge has the discretion to reduce your fine, keep it the same, or, in some cases, increase it up to a maximum of $500. If the judge rules in your favor and reduces the fine, you are still considered guilty of the offense, and it may be noted on your driving record.
• Right to Appeal: If the judge renders a guilty verdict and you disagree with the decision, you have the right to appeal. However, there are non-refundable court costs associated with filing an appeal.

Important Considerations:

• Timeliness: It is crucial to submit your request for a waiver hearing within 30 days of receiving your citation. Failure to respond within this timeframe may result in the Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) taking action to suspend your driver's license.
• Points on Your License: While a camera speeding ticket in Maryland does not result in points on your license, pleading guilty with an explanation and having the violation on your driving record may still impact your insurance premiums.
• Seek Legal Advice: If you are unsure about how to proceed or want guidance on presenting your case effectively, consider consulting a traffic lawyer. They can advise you on the best course of action and help you navigate the legal process.

Pleading not guilty

If you receive a payable traffic ticket in Maryland, you have four options for how to proceed:

• Pay the full fine and plead guilty
• Request to enter into a payment plan
• Ask for a waiver hearing to plead "guilty with an explanation"
• Ask for a trial to plead "not guilty"

If you wish to plead "not guilty", you must request a trial within 30 days of receiving your citation. To do so, check the "Request a Trial" box on the ticket, sign and date it, and mail it to the District Court Traffic Processing Center at P.O. Box 6676 Annapolis, MD 21401.

At the trial, the officer who issued your ticket will testify, and you will have the opportunity to present your side of the case. You may present witnesses and other evidence, and you may choose to have a lawyer represent you. After hearing all the evidence, the judge will decide whether you are guilty or not guilty.

If you are found guilty, you have the right to appeal within 30 days of your trial date. There are non-refundable court costs for filing an appeal.

Challenging the ticket

If you receive a payable traffic ticket in Maryland, you have four options, one of which is to challenge the ticket. Challenging the ticket means asking for a waiver hearing or a trial. Here's what you need to know about challenging a traffic camera ticket in Maryland:

Waiver Hearing

A waiver hearing allows you to plead "guilty with an explanation." This means that you can ask the judge to reduce or waive your fine, or request probation instead of a conviction. You must make this request within 30 days of receiving your citation. During the hearing, you can explain to the judge why you committed the offense or present any extenuating circumstances. It's important to note that the judge has the discretion to lower or increase your fine, up to a maximum of $500. If the judge finds you guilty, you have the right to appeal the decision.

Trial

Requesting a trial is the only way to plead "not guilty." During the trial, the officer who issued the ticket will testify, and you will have the opportunity to present your side of the case. If the court finds you guilty, you have the right to appeal within 30 days of the trial date. It's important to note that requesting a trial or a waiver hearing does not mean you have to appear in court. You can still pay the fine at any time up until your court date to avoid going to court.

Contesting the Ticket

If you believe you were wrongfully issued a traffic camera ticket, you can challenge the citation. For example, you may not have been driving the car, or you may believe the camera recorded your speed incorrectly. You must contest the ticket at least five days before the due date of the fine. The specific details about how to challenge a ticket are listed on the back of each citation.

Hiring an Attorney

Challenging a traffic camera ticket in Maryland can be difficult, so you may want to consider hiring a traffic violation attorney to assist you. An experienced attorney can help you build a strong case and guide you through the legal process.

Frequently asked questions