5 Tips for Hiring the Right Baltimore Traffic Attorney
After receiving a traffic ticket, it can be appealing to pay off the fine — especially if it is your first ticket or an inexpensive violation. However, you should know that doing so is an admission of guilt and that, the more you admit guilt by paying off the fines, the more points you accumulate against your Maryland driver’s license.
Whether you received a citation for speeding, reckless driving, or even running a stop sign, you should consider working with a traffic ticket lawyer in Baltimore and surrounding areas.
How can an attorney resolve my traffic ticket?
There are many actions an attorney can take to help you preserve a clean driving record and help you avoid a criminal record for any serious violations. Below are just some of the most important steps your Baltimore traffic attorney can complete to protect your interests:
- Negotiating for a lesser charge and/or lower fine
- Helping you avoid a license suspension
- Representing you in court
- Helping you avoid higher insurance rates
- Keeping points off your record
Ultimately, your lawyer’s goal should be to have your traffic charge and all associated fines and other penalties dropped. He or she should work tirelessly to help you avoid adding points against your license or, if you have enough points already, a license suspension because of those points.
Researching Local Baltimore Traffic Lawyers
You have just thirty (30) days to respond to a payable traffic offense in Maryland. Use the time wisely by starting a search for a quality traffic attorney right away.
Ask for Recommendations
When starting your search, reach out to family and friends who may have experienced a similar situation for recommendations. If you can get a few good names from them, be sure to verify the attorneys’ credentials and check that they are licensed to practice in Maryland.
Check Online Mentions
After checking out the attorneys’ websites and backgrounds, be sure to read online testimonials and reviews on Google, Facebook, Avvo, and other sources to see what others are saying about working with them.
Stick to Experienced Traffic Attorneys
Although technically any attorney can represent you in court, you’ll want to make sure the attorney you consider has specific experience resolving traffic violations and offenses in Maryland. Your attorney should have several years of experience and multiple examples of cases like yours he or she has resolved successfully.
Find an Affordable Attorney
When you need legal counsel, you should not prioritize saving money. A low-cost lawyer may produce a poor outcome that will cost you more to resolve long-term. On the other hand, you don’t always get more value from expensive lawyers with large firms and several associates working for them. You will want to find a middle ground with a personable attorney who will handle your case himself.
Hire a Local Attorney in Baltimore and Surrounding Areas
Finally, the attorney you hire should work in the same area in which your case will be prosecuted. Your attorney should have established relationships with the prosecutors and judges in your city. A lawyer from the next town over might not be familiar with the parties on the other side, which can weaken your case.
Questions to Ask your Baltimore Traffic Lawyer
Finally, don’t hire an attorney without knowing their answers to the following questions:
- How many traffic cases like mine have you tried successfully?
- What would you consider a successful outcome in my case?
- Will you appear in court with me or on my behalf, or will you send another attorney from your firm to represent me?
- How many years of experience do you have resolving cases like mine?
- How will you charge me? Can you provide an estimate of what this will cost?
An attorney who is knowledgeable, personable, and responsive to your questions and concerns can be a valuable asset to your traffic case.
The Baltimore Traffic Attorney You can Trust
Attorney Hillel Traub of The Law Office of Hillel Traub has been helping the people of Baltimore and nearby areas resolve a myriad of traffic issues for over 20 years. Mr. Traub has worked as a former Assistant Attorney General for the Maryland MVA and personally attends to each client and case. Call (410) 580-1100 or complete our contact form for a free consultation.