Legal Question in Criminal Law in Maryland
As a follow-up to my earlier question about driving on a suspended license, would it be best to go to trial or fill out the form and plead guilty. Would I get to plead my case for leniency to the judge in the second scenario?
2 Answers from Attorneys
This question has no answer. You are not just facing jail time (up to 60 days, or even a year if the suspension is non-unpaid-ticket related), but you are also facing either 3 or 12 points on your license. Therefore, you need to get an attorney. You can trust that you will get a much better deal. Even if it's a public defender, GET AN ATTORNEY! There are going to be a lot of possible defenses that you haven't thought about. And you aren't going to know the judge, which could be a VERY BAD thing.
Only you can decide what is best for you. An attorney can help you evaluate the evidence in order to determine whether to go to trial. If you are found guilty, an attorney can help you present mitigation at sentencing. Knowing what a particular judge is likely to do is helpful too. Beware of posting details on the web, because anyone can read it. Confidentiality only applies in an attorney client relationship, but that does not exist in a forum.
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