Excessive Speed Lawyer Maryland, MD
You were driving along I‑495 near the College Park exit, keeping up with the flow of traffic, when suddenly a blue light flashes behind you. The officer says you were traveling 20 or 30 miles above the posted limit and hands you a summons for excessive speed. Now you are worried about points on your record, a possible criminal reckless‑driving charge, and what it means for your insurance. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel, including a former Maryland Assistant State’s Attorney, routinely help drivers in situations just like this. Reach our firm at (888) 437‑7747 to request a consultation. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. — Advocacy Without Borders.
Strategy Options When You Are Charged With Excessive Speed
Maryland treats excessive speed seriously, but the defense strategy depends heavily on how the officer wrote the ticket. A simple speeding citation (1‑5 points) is an administrative matter, while speeds that are 30 mph or more over the limit or that create danger can become reckless driving, a criminal misdemeanor under Md. Code, Transportation Art. § 21‑901.1. Our team first evaluates whether the speed measurement was accurate — radar calibration, pacing distance, or pacing error can each provide grounds to challenge the evidence. If the measurement is sound, we explore negotiation with the prosecutor to amend the charge to a lesser infraction, such as a simple speeding ticket or, when the culpability is slight, a request that the court find the driver not guilty of reckless driving and instead guilty of improper driving. Probation Before Judgment (PBJ) is available for many traffic offenses and is often the most important defense goal because it avoids points entirely.
What to Expect After an Excessive‑Speed Citation
At the initial court appearance at the District Court of Maryland for the county where the citation was issued — for example, the Montgomery County District Court at 191 East Jefferson Street, Rockville, MD 20850, or the Prince George’s County District Court at 14735 Main Street, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772 — you will meet with the prosecutor informally before the hearing. The court will ask how you plead. If a trial is scheduled, it typically occurs within 30‑60 days of your initial appearance; a jury trial demand transfers the case to the Circuit Court. Throughout the process, points are assessed only upon a conviction. After any resolution, the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) adds the corresponding points to your driving record, and the conviction is reported to your insurance carrier within about 30 days.
Penalty Overview — Excessive Speed in Maryland
Under the MVA point system, 8 points triggers an administrative hearing and 12 points results in a mandatory revocation of your license. Speeding 10‑19 mph over the limit carries 1 point and a fine of $80; speeding 20‑29 mph over the limit adds 2 points and a fine. If you were traveling 30 mph or more above the limit, the charge can rise to reckless driving, which carries 6 points, up to six months in jail, and a maximum fine. Additional penalties, such as a fine and possible misdemeanor status, apply for the 30‑plus‑mph range. Points remain on your record for several years, but a PBJ — where the defendant completes a period of probation and the charge is dismissed — avoids both points and a conviction. Our goal in every excessive‑speed matter is to keep your record clean and your driving privileges intact.
Attorney Credentials
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. was founded in 1997 by Mr. Sris, a former prosecutor. Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder, leads a team of Of Counsel that includes a former Maryland Assistant State’s Attorney — an attorney who prosecuted traffic and criminal cases in Maryland District and Circuit Courts. This prosecutorial experience gives the team a unique insight into how the State builds its case and where it is vulnerable. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel bring over 120 years of combined legal experience to every traffic matter. Results may vary. Together, they have documented more than 4,739 case results across all practice areas since 1997.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many points until I lose my license in Maryland?
Eight points triggers an MVA hearing; 12 points results in license revocation. Even one excessive‑speed citation can add several points to your record. The MVA point system is described in Md. Code, Transportation Art. § 27‑101, and district court convictions in any Maryland county immediately add points. A PBJ avoids points entirely, which is why we prioritize that outcome whenever possible.
Can an excessive‑speed ticket be reduced to a non‑criminal charge?
Yes. In many cases a charge of reckless driving based on speed alone can be amended to a simple speeding infraction or, if the culpability is slight, to improper driving. Judges are often willing to reduce a charge when the driver’s speed was only modestly above the reckless threshold, when the driver has a clean prior record, or when the speed‑measurement evidence has a weakness. The former prosecutor on our team knows how to present these arguments effectively because she has handled them from both sides.
Will a speed camera ticket give me points?
No. Speed camera tickets ($40) are civil penalties and carry zero points. They do not affect your driving record or insurance because Maryland treats camera citations as civil, not criminal, matters. If you received a camera ticket, you can simply pay it without worrying about points; however, if you want to contest it, contact us for guidance.
What happens if I am an out‑of‑state driver charged with excessive speed in Maryland?
Maryland reports convictions to your home state through the Driver License Compact. Your home‑state DMV will then assess points under its own system, which could lead to a suspension in your home state even if Maryland imposes only a fine. We regularly represent drivers from Virginia, D.C., Pennsylvania, and beyond who face Maryland traffic charges, and we work to minimize the home‑state impact.
Do I need a lawyer for an excessive‑speed case in Maryland?
You are not legally required to have a lawyer, but navigating the MVA point system and the potential criminal exposure of a reckless‑driving charge is extremely difficult without one. A single excessive‑speed conviction can raise your insurance premium for years, and a reckless‑driving conviction creates a criminal record. The attorney can negotiate with the prosecutor, challenge the evidence, and advocate for a PBJ or a reduced charge — things a driver acting alone rarely accomplishes.
How long does an excessive‑speed case stay on my record in Maryland?
A conviction from a Maryland District Court remains on your driving record for several years, but the exact duration depends on the type of conviction. Points stay active for three years under the MVA system, though the conviction itself can be reported to insurance for longer. A PBJ, however, is not a conviction and does not show as a conviction on your public record after the probation period ends.
Can I request a jury trial for a reckless‑driving excessive‑speed charge?
Yes. A defendant charged with reckless driving can demand a jury trial, which transfers the case from the District Court to the Circuit Court. Jury trials are rare in traffic cases but are available as a strategic option when the facts warrant it. Our team has tried traffic cases at both levels and will explain whether a jury trial helps your specific situation.
What should I bring to a consultation about an excessive‑speed citation?
Bring the citation, any photos or videos you have of the location or vehicle, a copy of your driving record, and a list of any questions you have. If you have already received a date for a pre‑trial conference or trial, bring those documents as well. Having this information allows us to provide a realistic assessment of your options during the first consultation. To schedule a consultation, reach Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel at (888) 437‑7747.
For additional information on related traffic defense topics, visit our Reckless Driving Lawyer in Maryland page, our Montgomery County Traffic Lawyer page, or our Prince George’s County Traffic Lawyer page.
For a full statutory breakdown of Maryland traffic laws, see our comprehensive analysis at SrisLawyer.com.
Reach Our Firm
Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel are available to discuss your excessive‑speed citation. Call (888) 437‑7747 or visit our Rockville location at 199 E. Montgomery Avenue, Suite 100, Room 211, Rockville, MD 20850. Meetings are by appointment only.
Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Results may vary. Case results depend on a variety of factors unique to each case.