Maryland drivers who get traffic tickets now have to ask for a trial date if they want one, due to new laws that kick into effect Saturday. The state of Maryland had previously assigned ticketed drivers a court date — automatically — to contest their violations. The new law requires drivers to request a trial date

within 30 days of receiving a ticket, or else pay the associated fine. A third option will remain for ticketed drivers who don’t wish to dispute their ticket, but want to explain their case to a judge before sentencing.