It is not recommended that Stefanie pay the ticket. Our legislature in Annapolis has determined how many points the MVA must assess for each type of driving infraction. We will list a few for you here. Normal traffic violations like running a stop sign a red light or failing to yield right of way carry 1 point, however, if your violation causes an accident you may receive 3 points. Reckless driving carries 4 points.
Points are significant for two reasons.
First, if a driver receives 8 or more points during any two year period, her license may be suspended, and if she receives 12 or more points during any two year period, her license may be revoked. Second, although all insurance companies are different and all have the right to determine pricing however it chooses, many insurance companies determine their rates based on how many points a driver has. We recommend that this course of action should never be taken. If you're already going to take a day off of work or school to appear in court, there is no benefit to pleading guilty before hand. Pleading guilty before Court excuses the officers appearance in Court, so you automatically give up any chance you might have of winning the case because the police officer fails to show up.