Maryland Red Light Tickets (TA Section 21-202)

Maryland’s steady‑red signal law is one of the most commonly charged traffic offenses. Whether an officer stopped you or a camera snapshot appeared in your mail, a red‑light allegation can raise insurance costs and add points—unless you pursue a strategy aimed at dismissal, reduction, or a point‑free outcome.

This guide explains the steady‑red rule, the difference between officer‑issued and camera tickets, and the practical defenses we use in court.

The statute: Transportation Article Section 21‑202 (Steady Red)

Under TA Section 21‑202, a driver facing a steady circular red signal must stop at a clearly marked stop line, before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection, or before entering the intersection. Right‑turn‑on‑red is permitted after stopping when no sign prohibits it, so long as you yield to pedestrians and oncoming traffic that presents a hazard.

Key issues at trial include where you stopped, whether wheels entered the crosswalk or intersection, and whether a no‑turn‑on‑red sign applied to your approach.

Officer‑issued vs. camera tickets

• Officer‑issued tickets are “must‑appear” or payable depending on the charge and are treated like other moving violations. The State generally relies on the officer’s vantage, lane diagramming, and sometimes body‑worn or dash camera.
• Camera tickets are civil, typically mailed to the vehicle owner, carry a fine, and do not add points. They can be contested based on signage, yellow interval timing, lane ownership, and whether the photo depicts your vehicle lawfully stopping before a turn on red.

If you’re unsure which one you have, bring the citation to your consult. The defense path—and whether points are on the table—depends on that distinction.

Points and penalties

Officer‑issued red‑light violations are moving violations and can result in points under Maryland’s points framework. We aim to avoid points through trial, a reduction to a non‑moving or lesser‑point offense, or PBJ.

Camera red‑light tickets are generally no‑point civil citations, but they can still be worth contesting if the facts favor dismissal (incorrect lane attribution, illegal signage, missing certification).

Defenses that work

1. Stop placement and line visibility

• Many intersections have worn or offset stop lines. If you stopped at the nearest safe position before crosswalk entry, we can use photos or video to show compliance.

2. No‑turn‑on‑red signage

• A valid “No Turn on Red” sign must be visible and applicable to your lane and time of day. Poor visibility, misplacement, or time‑limited restrictions can defeat the allegation.

3. Crosswalk and pedestrian yield

• Even when stopping was required, turning after a stop may be lawful if you yielded appropriately. The State must show an unlawful movement, not just a turn on red.

4. Camera certification and timing (camera tickets)

• Camera systems require proper certification and maintenance. Yellow timing, lane assignment, and photo clarity all matter. If the State cannot prove compliance, the civil ticket should be dismissed.

Practical steps after a red‑light ticket

• Do not pay online without review—paying accepts any points for officer‑issued tickets.
• Take clear daytime photos of the approach: stop line, signs, and sightlines.
• Note time‑based restrictions (e.g., “No Turn on Red 7–9 AM”).
• Bring any notice of camera certification if included; we will analyze sufficiency.

Court strategy and outcomes

We build a proof‑oriented defense with photos, diagrams, and (when available) video to reconstruct the approach. When trial is not the best path, we target a negotiated result that avoids points or reduces the charge.

Why this matters

Even a single moving violation can nudge insurance up and push total points toward MVA consequences. A red‑light case is often defensible, and where responsibility is conceded, responsible mitigation can still keep your record clean.

See the overview at Maryland Traffic Lawyers for why trial dates and PBJ strategies matter and how to coordinate court outcomes with MVA considerations.