Speed Camera Enforcement -
Disputes; Appealing Citations

Disputes

There are some circumstances where a citation may have been issued in error or where it is not clear whether the owner of the vehicle is responsible for the citation.

Questions and answers regarding those circumstances are listed below:

I have sufficient proof/documentation to prove that my citation was issued in error. Can I just mail the proof in?

Reasons that the citation was issued in error include the following:

• Stolen tags or vehicle (police report required).
• Vehicle mismatch with registration identification.
• On government business.

Please read below to determine how to proceed.

My vehicle or tags were stolen before the citation was issued.

The citizen must submit a copy of the police report or documentation from MVA, listing date of cancellation of stolen items.  If the date on the police report is before the violation date or the vehicle or tags were not retrieved before the violation date, the citation will be dismissed.  If the violation date does not match time frame of police report, the citizen is responsible for payment.

Vehicle mismatch with registration identification. The vehicle described on the citation does not match the registration I have for the corresponding tag number.

The citizen must send a copy of his/her registration and/or other supporting documentation with a copy of the citation to the City of Bowie Safe Speed Program, PO Box 889, Bowie, MD 20718.

If there are no matches to the described vehicle on the citation in the MVA files, the citation will be dismissed.  If there is a match, the citizen will be notified of the match and responsibility of payment.

I loaned my car to someone else.  Why am I responsible for the citation?

Liability for citations ultimately rests with the registered owner.

The registered owner has the right to identify the person who was in care, custody or control of the vehicle at the time of the speeding violation.  The registered owner must provide:

• A sworn written statement sent Certified Mail/Return Receipt Requested.
• The citation number.
• Any other corroborating evidence, which may include the name, address, and driver’s license number of the person driving the vehicle at the time of the violation.

Request must be sent to City of Bowie Safe Speed Program, PO Box 889, Bowie, MD 20718.

NOTE: If the identified driver does not satisfy the ticket, the registered owner is still ultimately responsible.  The registered owner will be subject to further action to include vehicle registration flagging and collections.

I was driving a rental vehicle at the time of the violation.  Why am I receiving this notice?

Maryland State law requires that citations not be sent to rental companies.

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Appealing Citations

I just received a citation today and believe it was issued in error.  What do I do?

You may contest a citation by requesting a court date.  The back of the citation has a portion that must be completed if a court date is requested.  This must be filled out and returned to City of Bowie Safe Speed Program, PO Box 889, Bowie, MD 20718.  The scheduled court date information will be mailed back to the citizen. 

If I decide to pay my fine, am I still eligible for a court date?

No. Payments are considered admission of liability, and it is deemed that the citizen has waived his/her right to a hearing.

I cannot attend court on the date given to me.  How can I reschedule?

One additional court date can be scheduled if the request is received before the originally scheduled court date. 

How do I cancel a court date?

A court date can be cancelled via a telephone call or written request prior to the scheduled court date. 

I failed to appear for my court date, but still want a court date.  What must I do?

Citizens that fail to appear for their scheduled court date will be considered to have Failed To Appear (FTA), and a judgment of “Liable” will be entered by the District Court Judge. 

Note: District Court Guidelines dictate that citizens deemed “liable” via FTA requesting to be rescheduled must include:

• A written request for reschedule.
• All associated citation information.
• Indication of the original hearing date.
• Requestor's telephone or contact number.
• Requestor's most current address.
• A self–addressed and stamped return envelope.

All letters must be mailed to City of Bowie Safe Speed Program, P.O. Box 889, Bowie, MD 20718.

The final decision will be left up to the District Court.

Can I request the operator of the camera to be present at court?

Yes, you can request that the operator of the camera be present at court. Send your request in writing to: City of Bowie Safe Speed Program, PO Box 889, Bowie, MD  20718. Request must be received (20) days prior to your scheduled court date.

Can I be represented by an attorney?

Yes – that is your right.

When should I contact an attorney?

You must do so in time for your scheduled court date.

What happens if I do not have an attorney at my trial?

The judge could decide that you have waived your rights to an attorney and compel you to waive your rights to an attorney and you must represent yourself.

I live out of state.  Can I write in to the courts for a decision?

Maryland State law does not provide for written administrative appeal.  The authority to adjudicate appeals of school zone speed citations is reserved to the District Court of Maryland.  There is no dispensation provided in the law for out-of-state residents.

Paying Citation Fines
How the Cameras Operate
Safe Speed Program Overview
More Questions and Answers about Safe Speed Program