Residents of Maryland who get points against their driving record run the risk of having their license suspended. However, probation before judgment could benefit you if you have been charged with traffic violations.
The purpose of probation before judgment
Probation before judgment (PBJ) means that the judge has granted a person probation before issuing a judgment on any traffic violations they might have committed. This means that the person does not yet have a conviction and has not been found guilty. A PBJ is beneficial as it eliminates any points the person has on traffic violations, which can prevent their driver’s license from being suspended.
When the terms have been met, a PBJ can also prevent a person’s auto insurance rates from increasing.
Situations that could result in PBJ
Although it’s possible for a driver to get a PBJ, it’s not a guarantee. The judge makes the decision on whether it should apply to a person’s case.
Certain situations can result in a person getting a PBJ. A first offense of driving under the influence (DUI), first offense of misdemeanor or felony traffic violation or even a first violation of the state’s Controlled Dangerous Substances laws can warrant a PBJ occurring in a person’s case.
If you are granted a probation before judgment, you will want to avoid committing any violations because it could come back to hurt you in the future. Your probation is supervised to ensure that you don’t commit another offense. If it’s determined that there is another violation, it violates the probation, which could result in prison.
The best thing for your future is to abide by the terms of your probation. Even if your PBJ remains on a record of its own, walking the straight and narrow can only benefit you.