Harford, Maryland: Fighting Unfair Camera Tickets

If you've received a camera ticket in Harford County, Maryland, you have a few options for how to pay it. According to Maryland state law, the registered owner of the vehicle is responsible for the citation. You can pay the fine, which is an admission of guilt, or request a hearing. You can pay online, by mail, by phone, or in person. If you choose to pay by mail, send your payment to the address on the right side of the citation. You can also pay in person at any district court in the state of Maryland or at the Harford County Government office. If you would like to request a hearing, you must do so in writing within 21 days of the violation issue date.

Ways to pay a camera ticket in Maryland, Harford

If you have received a camera ticket in Harford, Maryland, you are likely wondering about your options for payment. Here are the ways you can pay a camera ticket in this jurisdiction:

Online

You can pay your camera ticket online by visiting the Online Payment Website. However, please note that a non-refundable convenience fee will apply. Have your citation number handy to expedite the process.

By Mail

You can also mail in your payment. Make your check or money order payable to Montgomery County, MD. Be sure to include the citation number and license plate number on your payment to ensure proper credit. Send your payment to the following address:

Automated Traffic Enforcement

P.O. Box 10549

Rockville, Maryland 20849

By Phone

To pay your camera ticket over the phone, call 1-866-579-5742 and follow the automated prompts. Have your ticket number and credit card ready.

In Person

You can pay your camera ticket in person at one of two locations:

• 4040 Blackburn Lane, Suite 200, Burtonsville, MD 20866
• 27 Courthouse Square, Suite 200, Rockville, MD 20850

These locations accept cash, check, money order, Visa, and Mastercard payments during their respective business hours.

It's important to note that paying the fine is an admission of guilt. If you would like to dispute the ticket, you may request a hearing instead of paying the fine. Additionally, according to Maryland State law, the registered vehicle owner is responsible for the citation.

Requesting a hearing

If you receive a camera ticket in Maryland, Harford, you have the option to pay the fine or request a hearing. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to request a hearing:

• Understand the Process: In Maryland, a ticket issued through a speed camera is considered a civil violation similar to a parking violation. Requesting a hearing gives you the opportunity to explain your side and potentially reduce or waive the fine.
• Act Promptly: It is crucial to act quickly after receiving the citation. In Maryland, you typically have 30 days from the receipt of the citation to request a hearing. For Harford County specifically, you have 21 days from the violation issue date to request a hearing.
• Prepare Your Case: Gather any relevant evidence, such as photographs, witness statements, or other documentation that can support your case. If you were not the driver, you will need to provide a letter to the District Court stating that the registered owner of the vehicle was not operating it at the time of the violation.
• Submit Your Request: To request a hearing, you will need to submit a written request to the appropriate authority. For Harford County, send your request to the Harford County Sheriff's Office, Traffic Unit, 45 South Main St, Bel Air, MD 21014. Make sure to include your citation information and any relevant details.
• Attend the Hearing: After submitting your request, you will be scheduled for a hearing. Make sure to attend the hearing and present your case to the judge. Remember that this is your opportunity to explain your side of the story and request leniency or a waiver of the fine.
• Understand the Outcome: Following the hearing, the judge will make a decision. If found guilty, you have the right to appeal the decision within a specified timeframe. If your request for a reduced or waived fine is granted, be sure to clarify the payment process and any associated fees or penalties.

Remember, it is important to carefully review the information on your citation, as it may include specific instructions or deadlines for requesting a hearing in Harford County, Maryland.

Paying by mail

If you have received a camera ticket in Harford County, Maryland, you can pay it by mail. The process is straightforward, and here are the detailed steps you need to follow:

Step 1: Locate the mailing address for payments on your ticket. The address should be provided on the right side of your citation. The address may vary depending on the specific county or city where the violation occurred.

For example, in Montgomery County, the address for mailing payments for safe speed camera tickets and red-light camera tickets is:

> Automated Traffic Enforcement

> P.O. Box 10549

> Rockville, Maryland 20849

Step 2: Prepare your payment method. When paying by mail, you can typically send a check or a money order. Some counties, like Montgomery County, specify that you should make the payment payable to the county, in this case, Montgomery County, MD.

Step 3: Include the necessary information on your payment. To ensure proper credit, write the citation number and your license plate number on your check or money order. This information helps in matching your payment to the correct citation.

Step 4: Mail your payment. Ensure that you send your payment by the due date to avoid any late fees or penalties. It is recommended to allow sufficient time for mail delivery to ensure your payment reaches the processing center on time.

Additional Information:

When paying by mail, it is important to note that some counties, like Montgomery County, specifically instruct you to not send cash through the mail. Always refer to the instructions on your citation or the relevant county website for specific guidelines.

Additionally, if you were not the driver at the time of the violation, you may need to follow a different procedure to contest the ticket or transfer liability. This process may involve submitting a statement or providing additional information, and the requirements may vary by county.

For Harford County, if you wish to contest the ticket and request a court hearing, you must submit a written request within 21 days of the violation issue date to the Harford County Sheriff's Office, Traffic Unit, at a different address:

> 45 South Main St, Bel Air, MD 21014

Remember to always refer to the specific instructions provided by the issuing authority on your citation or their official website for the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding payment methods, addresses, and any other relevant details.

Paying in person

If you want to pay your camera ticket in person, you have a few options. Firstly, you can pay at any local District Court in Maryland. This is a general rule for all traffic citations issued in the state.

Secondly, if you live in Montgomery County, you can pay your ticket at either of the two following locations:

• 4040 Blackburn Lane, Suite 200, Burtonsville, MD 20866: Open Monday to Friday, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm (excluding county holidays). Cash, check, money order, Visa, and Mastercard are accepted here.
• 27 Courthouse Square, Suite 200, Rockville, MD 20850: Open Monday to Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm (excluding county holidays). Cash, check, money order, Visa, and Mastercard are accepted here.

Finally, if you live in Harford County, you can pay your ticket in person by returning the violation notice and fine amount to the following address: Harford County Government, Revenue Collections, 220 South Main St, Bel Air, MD 21014. If you pay the correct fine, no court appearance is necessary.

What to do if you weren't driving

If you weren't driving when a camera ticket was issued in Maryland, you can dispute the ticket. Here's what you need to do:

Step 1: Understand Your Options

According to Maryland law, you have the right to request a court hearing to dispute the ticket. You can also choose to pay the fine, which is an admission of guilt, or plead guilty with an explanation and request a waiver hearing. However, paying the fine or pleading guilty will result in the charge being added to your driving record and may lead to increased insurance premiums.

Step 2: Gather Evidence

Before disputing the ticket, gather any evidence that can help your case. This may include photographs, witness statements, or any other documentation that proves you were not the person driving the car.

Step 3: Submit a Request for a Court Hearing

To dispute the ticket, you must submit a request for a court hearing within the specified timeframe. In Maryland, you typically have 30 days from receiving the citation to request a hearing or trial. You can do this by mailing the bottom portion of the citation to the Automated Traffic Enforcement Unit or the District Court, depending on the county.

Step 4: Provide a Letter to the District Court

In addition to requesting a court hearing, Maryland law requires you to provide a letter to the District Court stating that you were not operating the vehicle at the time of the violation. This letter should be sworn or affirmed by you and sent by certified mail with a return receipt requested. Include all corroborating evidence, such as witness statements or other documentation, along with the letter.

Address the envelope as follows:

> Montgomery County

> PO Box 10314

> Gaithersburg, MD 20898-0314

> Envelope Marked: "SPEED CAMERA - NOT THE DRIVER"

By following these steps, you can dispute a camera ticket in Maryland if you weren't the driver. Remember to act promptly and provide as much supporting evidence as possible to strengthen your case.

Frequently asked questions