Reckless Driving Lawyer St. Mary’s County, MD

You were driving south on Route 235 near California, Maryland, after a long workday at Patuxent River Naval Air Station. Traffic was light, the road was straight, and you were just trying to get home. A Maryland State Police trooper clocked you at a speed you did not think was that high. Now you are holding a citation that says “reckless driving” — a misdemeanor charge that carries potential jail time, heavy fines, and six points on your Maryland driving record. It is a serious moment, and you need someone who knows how St. Mary’s County courts handle these cases. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. represents drivers facing reckless driving charges throughout Southern Maryland, including in the District Court of MD for St. Mary’s County. Reach our location at (888) 437-7747 to request a consultation. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. – Advocacy Without Borders.

Reviewed by Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder

Admitted in Virginia, Maryland, District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York

Practicing since 1997

What a Reckless Driving Charge Means in St. Mary’s County

Reckless driving in Maryland is a criminal misdemeanor, not a simple traffic infraction. A conviction in St. Mary’s County District Court — located at 23110 Leonard Hall Drive, Leonardtown, MD 20650 — exposes you to up to six months in jail, a maximum fine, and six points assessed by the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration. The same court hears cases for drivers from Leonardtown, Lexington Park, Great Mills, Hollywood, Mechanicsville, and throughout the Fourth Judicial District.

Maryland’s point system adds urgency to a reckless driving charge. Eight points trigger an MVA administrative hearing, and twelve points result in license revocation. Because a reckless driving conviction alone brings six points, it puts many drivers one serious moving violation away from an MVA hearing or a suspended license. Probation Before Judgment, known as PBJ, is often the most meaningful relief a St. Mary’s County judge can grant; it avoids a conviction and the points entirely when the court finds it appropriate. Speed-camera citations, by contrast, are civil fines of $40 with no points and no insurance impact — a different category from the criminal charge you are now facing.

How Mr. Sris and His Of Counsel Handle Reckless Driving Cases

When you retain Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., you bring in a team that includes a former prosecutor who understands how the State’s Attorney’s Office in St. Mary’s County evaluates and negotiates traffic charges. Mr. Sris, himself a former prosecutor, founded the firm in 1997 and has spent decades building a practice that concentrates on criminal and traffic defense across multiple jurisdictions. His Of Counsel team includes a former Maryland Assistant State’s Attorney — a lawyer who has appeared in the very District Court where your case will be heard and knows the local judges and the procedures that matter most.

We begin by reviewing every detail of the traffic stop, the calibration records of the speed-measuring device, and the officer’s observations. Our focus is on identifying the strongest ground to challenge the charge or, when that is not possible, to negotiate for a reduction. In St. Mary’s County, a reckless driving charge can sometimes be resolved as a lesser moving violation or, in the right circumstances, through a PBJ that keeps your record clean. The goal is always to protect your driving privilege and to minimize the long-term consequences for your insurance and your record. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel bring extensive combined legal experience to each client’s defense. Results may vary.

Meet Mr. Sris and the Of Counsel Team

Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., has practiced criminal and traffic defense since 1997. He is admitted in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York, giving him a broad understanding of how different state court systems approach driving offenses. His experience as a former prosecutor informs the firm’s approach to every case: we anticipate the prosecutor’s arguments because we have made them ourselves.

Working alongside Mr. Sris is a dedicated Of Counsel team that includes a former Maryland Assistant State’s Attorney with direct experience in St. Mary’s County courtrooms. That prosecutorial background means your defense is built by lawyers who know both sides of the aisle. The firm’s Rockville location — at 199 E. Montgomery Avenue, Suite 100, Room 211, Rockville, MD 20850 — serves clients in St. Mary’s County and throughout Maryland. By appointment only; call (888) 437-7747 to schedule a consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions About Reckless Driving in St. Mary’s County

What is the penalty for reckless driving in St. Mary’s County, Maryland?

Reckless driving in St. Mary’s County is a misdemeanor carrying up to 6 months in jail, a fine, and 6 points. Cases are heard at the District Court of MD for St. Mary’s County, 23110 Leonard Hall Drive, Leonardtown. For many drivers, the most significant penalty is the six points because a second moving violation can quickly push the total to eight points and trigger an MVA administrative hearing. A lawyer can explore whether a Probation Before Judgment is available to avoid the conviction and points entirely.

How many points until I lose my license in Maryland?

In Maryland, 8 points triggers an MVA point system hearing, and 12 points results in revocation. Speed camera tickets carry no points, but a reckless driving conviction adds 6 points at once. St. Mary’s County District Court traffic convictions are reported to the MVA, and points remain on your record for two years. A PBJ disposition avoids point assessment entirely, which is often the central goal of legal representation in reckless driving cases.

Are speed camera tickets in St. Mary’s County worth fighting?

Speed camera citations in St. Mary’s County are $40 civil fines with no points and no insurance impact. You can contest them at the District Court, but their consequences are minimal compared to a moving violation. If you received a moving violation — such as reckless driving or speeding 20+ miles per hour over the limit — the stakes are much higher, and an experienced traffic lawyer can help you seek a reduction or a PBJ.

What should I do immediately after receiving a reckless driving citation in St. Mary’s County?

Contact a traffic lawyer as soon as possible and preserve all paperwork related to the stop. Do not discuss the facts of the case with anyone except your attorney. Write down everything you remember about the location, weather, traffic conditions, and the officer’s statements while your memory is fresh. The court will schedule a trial date, typically within a few weeks to two months, and early legal involvement can influence the outcome significantly.

Can a reckless driving charge be reduced in St. Mary’s County?

Yes, many reckless driving charges in St. Mary’s County are resolved as a lesser moving violation or through a PBJ. The State’s Attorney’s Office has discretion in how it prosecutes these cases. When the facts support it, your lawyer can present mitigating factors — a clean prior record, completion of a driver-improvement course, or a speed that was only marginally over the limit — to negotiate a reduction. PBJ is especially valuable because it avoids a conviction and points.

Do I really need a lawyer for a reckless driving charge in Maryland?

Because reckless driving is a criminal misdemeanor with potential jail time and six points, legal representation is strongly advisable. A conviction in St. Mary’s County District Court will appear on your criminal record, may raise your insurance rates substantially, and puts you within two points of an MVA administrative hearing. A lawyer who is familiar with the local court and the prosecutors can often achieve a better result than someone who goes to court alone. To discuss the details of your matter, contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.

Additional resources: District Court of Maryland for St. Mary’s County | Maryland Transportation Article § 21-901.1

Last reviewed: July 2026

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