Maryland Speeding Lawyer
Most Maryland speeding tickets are civil. You do not go to jail for a standard speeding ticket. As of October 1, 2025, 30 mph or more over can be charged as reckless driving, which is criminal and carries up to 60 days in jail and a fine up to 1,000 dollars. Aggressive driving is now two or more listed violations in one continuous drive. Speed camera tickets are civil. Early work by a Maryland traffic ticket lawyer can reduce charges, protect insurance, and keep your license clean.
If you were pulled over for speeding, you probably have questions about fines, points, traffic court, and whether you can go to jail for speeding. This guide explains what the law says, when a speeding stop becomes criminal, and how a criminal defense lawyer builds defenses that work in Maryland traffic court.
What counts as speeding in Maryland
You are speeding if you exceed a posted speed limit or drive faster than is reasonable and prudent for conditions. Officers and a police officer who stopped you must still meet evidentiary rules. We audit signage, lane design, weather, and traffic to argue for dismissal or a lower speed tier.
When does speeding become a criminal charge
Two pathways turn a speeding ticket into something that can land you in front of a judge on a criminal charge:
- Reckless driving based on speed: As of October 1, 2025, 30 miles per hour or more over the posted limit is a basis for a reckless driving charge. Reckless also covers driving with wanton or willful disregard for safety or in a manner indicating that disregard.
- Aggressive driving: As of October 1, 2025, committing two or more specified violations during one continuous drive can be charged as aggressive driving. Examples include failure to obey a traffic control device, lane violations, following too closely, stop sign or yield sign issues, and exceeding a posted maximum speed. Aggressive driving is serious but non jailable and carries a fine up to 1,000 dollars.
Penalties, points, and what is at stake
- Speeding (civil): Fine and points that scale with the alleged speed over the limit.
- Reckless driving (criminal): Up to 60 days in jail and fine up to 1,000 dollars beginning October 1, 2025. Courts commonly look for solid proof of the 30 plus threshold before imposing the harshest penalties.
- Aggressive driving (non jailable): Fine up to 1,000 dollars. Points depend on the underlying moving violations.
- Negligent driving: Fine up to 750 dollars and 2 points.
Points can stack and trigger Motor Vehicle Administration consequences, driver improvement programs, and insurance increases. A Maryland speeding lawyer will aim for dismissal, a speed reduction, a reduction to negligent driving, or Probation Before Judgment to avoid points where eligible.
Speed cameras and work zones
Speed camera tickets are civil. They require proper placement, signage, calibration, and notice. In work zones, fines can be higher when workers are present. We scrutinize the records and timelines. If requirements are not met, we move to suppress the evidence or reduce the citation.
How a Maryland traffic ticket lawyer fights your case
- Stop and observation challenges
Was the stop lawful and do the observations match the charge. - Speed measurement attacks
We pull radar, lidar, or pacing calibration and maintenance logs, operator training, distance, and sight lines. If the State cannot prove the exact speed, we argue for a lower tier or a reduction from reckless to speeding. - Video and independent evidence
Body worn and dash camera, scene photos, and third party video can contradict narrative claims. - Disposition engineering
We package mitigation to position you for negligent instead of reckless, or PBJ instead of a conviction. - Collateral protection
For CDL and professional licenses, we prioritize outcomes that avoid employment and insurance fallout and coordinate with MVA hearings strategy.
Traffic court and next steps
- Request a court date or a waiver hearing by the deadline.
- Discovery: request calibration records, camera documentation, and officer notes.
- Pretrial motions: challenge admissibility and statutory compliance.
- Negotiation or trial: use evidentiary gaps to dismiss or reduce the charge.
Insurance impact
Insurers price risk by moving violations and points. Avoiding points or securing PBJ can prevent multi year premium increases. Even when an outright win is unlikely, a negotiated reduction often saves more over time than simply paying the ticket.
FAQs tied to your search questions
Can I go to jail for speeding
Not for a standard speeding ticket. Jail exposure may arise if the State charges reckless driving, especially 30 miles per hour or more over after October 1, 2025.
How long can you go to jail for speeding
If charged as reckless driving, the maximum is up to 60 days in jail.
How long do you go to jail for speeding
The statute allows up to 60 days for reckless driving. Standard speeding is civil and does not include jail.
When do you go to jail for speeding
When the speed and conduct support a reckless driving charge, such as 30 plus over, or when the facts otherwise meet the reckless standard.
How long can you go to jail for a speeding ticket
For a speeding ticket alone, you do not go to jail. If the same conduct is charged as reckless, the maximum is up to 60 days.
When can you go to jail for speeding
When the State proves reckless driving, including 30 plus over as of October 1, 2025.
How fast do you have to be going to go to jail for speeding
Speed alone does not send you to jail. But 30 miles per hour or more over can be charged as reckless, which can include jail exposure.
How many speeding tickets can you get before you go to jail
There is no fixed count of civil speeding tickets that automatically leads to jail. Jail exposure is tied to reckless or other criminal charges based on the conduct.
Helpful resources on our site
- New Maryland Law Targets Reckless and Aggressive Drivers
- Reckless Driving Lawyer
- Speeding Ticket Lawyer
- Maryland DUI Defense
- MVA Hearings
If you were cited for high speed or charged with reckless or aggressive driving, talk with a Maryland traffic ticket lawyer before court. A short strategy session can make the difference between points and PBJ or between a civil ticket and a criminal record.