Maryland Traffic Defense Attorney

Maryland Traffic Defense Attorney

A traffic citation in Maryland is not simply a fine — it can add points to your driving record, trigger a license suspension, increase your insurance premiums, and in serious cases result in criminal charges. Adam Sean Cohen has defended Maryland drivers against traffic citations and serious traffic offenses for over 30 years across the state's District and Circuit Courts.

The Maryland Point System

Maryland's Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) assigns points to driving records for traffic violations under Transportation Article §16-402. Points accumulate and trigger escalating consequences:

• 3–4 points: Warning letter from MVA
• 5–7 points: Must enroll in a Driver Improvement Program
• 8–11 points: License suspension
• 12+ points: License revocation

A single serious traffic offense — such as reckless driving (5 points) or driving on a suspended license (12 points) — can push a driver into suspension or revocation territory immediately. DUI carries 12 points; DWI carries 8 points.

Common Traffic Offenses Adam Cohen Defends

• Speeding (including LIDAR and radar challenges)
• Reckless driving (Transportation Article §21-901.1)
• Negligent driving (Transportation Article §21-901.1)
• Aggressive driving (Transportation Article §21-901.2)
• Driving on a suspended or revoked license
• Running red lights and stop signs
• Failure to control speed to avoid a collision
• Improper lane changes and following too closely
• Cell phone and texting violations
• School bus violations
• Commercial vehicle (CDL) violations

Reckless and Aggressive Driving in Maryland

Reckless driving under Transportation Article §21-901.1 is a misdemeanor criminal offense, not merely a civil traffic infraction. A conviction carries up to 60 days incarceration and a fine up to $1,000, along with 6 points on your driving record. Aggressive driving under §21-901.2 — defined as committing three or more specified moving violations in a single incident — carries a fine of up to $1,000 and 5 points on your driving record. Note that unlike reckless driving, aggressive driving under §21-901.2 does not carry a term of imprisonment. Both charges warrant serious legal representation.

Challenging Speed Measurement Devices

Maryland law enforcement uses various speed measurement technologies including LIDAR (laser) devices, RADAR, and aircraft-based enforcement. Each technology has specific admissibility requirements under Maryland case law, including Fitzwater v. State and Goldstein v. State. Adam Cohen has specific experience challenging LIDAR evidence, including officer training certification, proper target acquisition procedures, and device-specific accuracy limitations. A technically flawed speed reading can defeat the charge entirely.

CDL Holders: Special Concerns

Commercial driver's license (CDL) holders face heightened consequences for traffic violations. Federal regulations governing CDL holders are stricter than those applicable to regular drivers, and certain violations — including serious speeding, reckless driving, and following too closely — can result in CDL disqualification that threatens your livelihood. Adam Cohen understands the intersection of Maryland traffic law and federal CDL regulations and works to protect CDL holders' ability to work.

Why Fight a Traffic Ticket?

Many drivers pay traffic tickets without contesting them, not realizing the long-term cost: points, higher insurance premiums for years, and potential license consequences. In many cases, an experienced attorney can negotiate a charge to a lesser offense with fewer points, or achieve an outright dismissal where the evidence is deficient. The cost of legal representation is often far less than the cumulative cost of increased insurance premiums alone.