Silver Spring Traffic Violation Attorney—FAQs

Clients frequently ask our attorneys at the Law Office of Harry A. Suissa, P.C. questions about traffic violations.  Here are just a few of them:

Get legal help from a Silver Spring traffic ticket attorney

If you need a Silver Spring traffic ticket attorney, contact the Law Office of Harry A. Suissa, P.C. at 877-708-9721. A free initial consultation is available in many cases. Our staff is bilingual in English and Spanish and we are located within easy walking distance of the Metro.

How serious is a traffic ticket?

Traffic tickets range from infractions to misdemeanors and felonies. Infractions are the least serious and are generally issued for non-moving and moving violations, such as—

  • Not wearing a seat belt
  • Parking illegally
  • Expired parking meter
  • Running a red light
  • Failing to stop for a school bus
  • Speeding
  • Reckless driving

Misdemeanors are more serious violations—DUI/DWI, driving without a license, or driving with a suspended license—and are punishable by year in jail.

Felonies usually involve serious injury and include vehicular manslaughter or repeated traffic offenses like multiple DUIs.  They are punishable by more than a year in prison.

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What is the difference between a non-moving and moving violation?

Non-moving violations apply to violations that involve mechanical defects or that occur when the vehicle is not moving. Examples include illegal parking, burned out headlights, inoperable turn signal, and a cracked windshield. Moving violations apply to vehicles in motion and include violations such as speeding, illegal U-turns, running a stop sign, failure to yield the right of way, and DUI/DWI.

When should you contest a traffic ticket as opposed to just paying it?

For a minor infraction that does not affect your points or increase insurance rates, you may as well just pay the citation. When driving points are affected, you to need to weigh the costs of retaining a lawyer versus future hikes in insurance premiums. If you are stopped for speeding and it is not your first offense within several years, you may want to consult speeding ticket attorney in Silver Spring for legal advice. DUI or felony charges definitely require legal defense and you must appear in court.

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How do traffic points work in Washington, D.C. and Maryland?

Washington, D.C. does not operate on a points system. However, violations within a certain time period result in driver's license suspensions or revocations:

  • Four moving violations in one year—30-day license suspension
  • Five moving violations in two years—30-day license suspension
  • Failure to appear in court or pay a ticket—license suspension

Unlike D.C., Maryland has a points system for traffic violations. Maryland traffic violations are assigned a number from one (less serious) to 12 (most serious).  Here is what happens as you accumulate points in Maryland:

  • If you accumulate five to seven points within two years, you have to sign up for a Points System Conference and/or participate in a Driver Improvement program.
  • For eight to 11 points within two years, the Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) suspends your license.
  • For 12 or more points within two years, the MVA revokes your license.

How long do traffic points stay on your record?

In Maryland, traffic points stay on your record for two years from the date of violation.  For example, if you go to court, contest the ticket, but are found guilty on January 1, 2011, that is the date of the violation. The date the court receives the citation payment would be the other way of determining the two year-period.

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