Police often give tickets for accidents. You may be tempted to just pay the tickets. Do not do it! Maryland law assesses more points in most cases if the ticket was a result of an accident.

For example, failure to obey a traffic control device is a 1 point ticket. However, any ticket that contributes to an accident is 3 points and also results in a higher fine. Thus, failure to obey a traffic control device contributing to an accident is 3 points.

Moreover, traffic citations involving accidents can often be defended successfully at trial. Usually, the police officer did not see the accident and witnesses do not always appear. This will result in an acquittal.

Even if the necessary witnesses do appear, there can still be defenses. There may be a dispute as to how the accident happened. Since the State must prove the Defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, a judge may acquit the Defendant if there is conflicting testimony.

So, request a trial and go to court if you received a traffic citation contributing to the accident. You may end up hearing the words "not guilty."