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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jul 2013
    Location
    Ellicott City, Maryland, United States
    Posts
    2

    Question Ticket for Aggressive Driving

    My question involves a traffic ticket from the state of: Maryland, USA

    I am a 17 year old male, and I just received my first traffic ticket. Before writing me off as some hot head kid, please just hear me out.

    I was driving on the highway with 4 other friends ( in separate vehicles). And we were all speeding and passing each other at high speeds (80mph in a 55 limit). Whilst driving with one friend in front of me, a cop passed me with his lights on, and I slowed down behind him. He was obviously pulling my friend, C., over. C pulls over, and the cop remains in the roadway pointing at me. This is when I realize that we are both being pulled over. he runs all of our info and I received a citation for "Aggressive Driving", $370. Then telling us to be on our way.

    I obviously broke the law and deserved the ticket. I am posting this here to ask for advice. What would be the best coarse of action now? I want to minimize all damages to myself and my family in a financial way. This includes our insurance, and the fine I have to pay. I am thinking about "option 2" on the citation which is admit I broke the law and request an audience with a judge, and beg for his/her forgiveness.

    If I am going to take option 2, what would be the best thing to say to the judge?

    And my final question is, what happens if I refuse to pay the fine? It says my license will be suspended, but for how long? What happens when I turn 18?

    Thank you for reading all of my questions, all of your answers will be greatly appreciated.

    Sam

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    OH10
    Posts
    17,019

    Default Re: [Help] My First Ticket: Aggressive Driving

    Hire a traffic lawyer and hope he can negotiate a lower charge.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    CT & IL
    Posts
    5,273

    Default Re: [Help] My First Ticket: Aggressive Driving

    Maryland Code, Transportation 21-901.2
    Maryland Code > Transportation > § 21-901.2

    Current as of: 2010
    Check for updates

    A person is guilty of aggressive driving if the person commits three or more of the following offenses at the same time or during a single and continuous period of driving in violation of:
    (1) § 21-202 of this title (Traffic lights with steady indication);
    (2) § 21-303 of this title (Overtaking and passing vehicles);
    (3) § 21-304 of this title (Passing on right);
    (4) § 21-309 of this title (Driving on laned roadways);
    (5) § 21-310 of this title (Following too closely);
    (6) § 21-403 of this title (Failure to yield right-of-way); or
    (7) § 21-801.1 of this title (Exceeding a maximum speed limit or posted maximum speed limit).

    ************************************************** *******
    http://www.courts.state.md.us/distri...al/dccr090.pdf penalty is 5 points

    ************************************************** ******
    Amass five to seven points in a two-year period and the MVA will insist you sign up for a Points System Conference (PSC) and/or attend a Driver Improvement Program (DIP). The programs are offered by various third-party providers across the state and the fees vary with each.
    http://www.mva.maryland.gov/About-MV.../26100-02T.htm
    ************************************************** ******
    Get caught doing 10 over for speeding and license 2x in 2 years and license is bye-bye

    Sounds like you would get 2 speeding tickets in 2 yrs

    Go seek out a lawyer young padawon.

    ************************************************** *********

    You have to violate 3 of the infractions above. If you talked to the cop, you may have admitted to some or the 3 needed. If you were smart and only gave him your DL & did not answer his questions, you may have an out ~ he has to PROVE 3.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    LA LA Land
    Posts
    9,170

    Default Re: Ticket for Aggressive Driving

    Did you even attempt to look into the statute you were cited for?

    §21–901.2. Aggressive Driving

    A person is guilty of aggressive driving if the person commits three or more of the following offenses at the same time or during a single and continuous period of driving in violation of:

    (1) § 21202 of this title (Traffic lights with steady indication);

    (2) § 21303 of this title (Overtaking and passing vehicles);

    (3) § 21304 of this title (Passing on right);

    (4) § 21309 of this title (Driving on laned roadways);

    (5) § 21310 of this title (Following too closely);

    (6) § 21403 of this title (Failure to yield rightofway); or

    (7) § 21801.1 of this title (Exceeding a maximum speed limit or posted maximum speed limit).

    Quote Quoting Sam Perez
    View Post
    What would be the best coarse of action now? I want to minimize all damages to myself and my family in a financial way.
    "Coarse of action"? A slip, or an expectation?

    I don't expect this to have as smooth an outcome as you're expecting it to be. And frankly, your family should not have to suffer the consequences of your poor decisions. Even at 17, you should realize that the fact that you were given the opportunity to start driving before you reach the age of majority, was based on a presumption that you would not abuse that trust and that you would not be breaking the law, and that you would not act in a rash and unreasonable manner. Well, you violated that trust and you did so in a big way!

    Quote Quoting Sam Perez
    View Post
    I am thinking about "option 2" on the citation which is admit I broke the law and request an audience with a judge, and beg for his/her forgiveness.
    ... And assume that the judge is nice and quite forgiving...

    You don't seem to have too many options. A judge is not obligated to allow you a cheap way out of a hole you dug yourself in. I don't know if this would qualify for a Probation Before Judgement adjudication but that is something to look into.

    If you decide not to pay, your license will be suspended, indefinitely... And until all fines and fees are fully paid. So you either pay it now, or you pay it later... Most likely, in multiples.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Posts
    886

    Default Re: Ticket for Aggressive Driving

    Please be aware I’m no expert on traffic law and not an attorney, so whatever I say is based on personal experience. It looks like you have given your name and location. If that is your real name, I would strongly suggest that you post nothing further on this forum due to the possibility of self incrimination.

    Aggressive driving is a serious charge because a conviction results in 5 points on your record. Although not a jailable offense, it can still end up being quite expensive because of what it could do to your insurance. A similar but more common charge is reckless driving which would be 6 points. Either one is definitely not good. Check the code on your ticket. It should be § 21-901.2 as was mentioned earlier. A suspended license would be worse and could negatively impact you for a long time, so ignoring this is not really an option.

    However it’s also possible that 5 points on your record could make your insurance unaffordable for a few years. For that reason I personally would plead not guilty if for no other reason than to buy some time. As I understand it, you can change your plea right up to the beginning of the docket on your trial day. If a judge intends to assign greater penalties to people who proceed and are found guilty, the judge will usually announce that intent at the beginning, in case anyone wants to change their plea.

    Outside of hiring an attorney, the best thing you can do right now is to sit in on a traffic court session ASAP. Plan to spend several hours listening and taking notes. Call a court clerk for dates and times. Nobody here is able to guess how your local judge rules. The only way to find out is to listen. Be sure to sit in on all 3 situations for nonjailable charges: people who plead guilty, attorneys representing a client, and people pleading not guilty representing themselves. Especially pay attention to attorneys.

    I’m not saying that after spending time at court you will know enough to fight your ticket, but I’m almost certain you will know enough to make a more informed decision. Another thing you should probably do is to find a traffic attorney who will do a free initial consultation by phone. If you do decide to challenge your ticket yourself, you will need to make a written request for the officer’s notes (called discovery).

    Even if you plan at some point to plead guilty and request leniency, it will help to listen first. If nothing else, be early on the day you are scheduled. I would point out that it’s your first ticket and request “probation before judgment” which keeps it off your record provided you get no further citations in the next year or so. You might also get a fine reduction but again you will find out if this is possible by sitting through a session beforehand.

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