Criminal Speeding On Arizona Roads
At Matthew Lopez Law, PLLC, we can help you fight a criminal speeding ticket to have it converted to a civil speeding violation or dismissed altogether.
Few people have managed to never get a speeding ticket. Even the most careful driver can accidentally go beyond the posted speed limit from time to time. However, there is a significant difference between a civil speeding ticket and a criminal speeding ticket in Arizona. If you are convicted of criminal speeding, you may be facing heavy fines, penalties, and a misdemeanor charge on your permanent record.
Criminal or excessive speeding involves driving at a speed that is substantially above the limit, or in a zone that is protected, such as a residential, commercial, or school zone.
The three main types of criminal speeding are:
- Going over 35 MPH approaching a school crossing
- Driving at over 20 MPH over the posted limit in a commercial or residential zone; or 45 MPH in an area without a posted speed limit
- Driving at 85 MPH or higher on any road or highway in Arizona
You do not need to be a reckless driver to accidentally drive at excessive speeds in these circumstances. If you do not realize you are approaching a school zone or a residential zone, you could easily be cited for criminal speeding going only 35 or 45 mph. However, this violation is much more serious than a common civil speeding ticket, with consequences that can affect your life.
Penalties For Criminal Or Excessive Speeding
When you are convicted of criminal speeding in Arizona, it is not as simple as paying a fine and waiting for the ticket to drop off your record, or taking a defensive driving course to remove the ticket. A criminal speeding violation is a misdemeanor, which means if you are convicted, this will stay on your permanent record. A misdemeanor can impact your ability to obtain certain jobs or schooling, all for driving too fast. Other penalties and repercussions of a criminal speeding conviction include:
- Up to a $500 fine
- Up to 30 days of jail time
- Up to one year of probation
- Three points added to your driver’s license
- Possible towing of your vehicle
- Increased insurance rates
An excessive speeding ticket is not a conviction you want on your record, which is why it is important to fight this ticket with the help of an experienced attorney.
Defenses Against Excessive Speeding – Criminal Speeding
Matthew Lopez Law, PLLC, represents clients throughout Arizona who have been cited for excessive speeding, a class 3 misdemeanor that results in fines and three points against your driving record. Additionally, if convicted of excessive speeding, you will have a misdemeanor conviction on your criminal record, which could affect your career and education opportunities.
Matthew Lopez Law is experienced in attacking an excessive speeding charge. We interview police officers and conduct investigations in an attempt to get our client’s charges reduced to civil speeding. The benefit of this is that you will not have a misdemeanor conviction on your criminal record, and you may be eligible to attend Defensive Driving School, which will prevent you from accumulating points against your driving record.
A criminal speeding charge should be taken seriously and handled by an experienced criminal defense attorney. Matthew Lopez Law encourage clients to consult with our office before they plead guilty to criminal speeding.
Racing And Drag Racing Charges In Arizona
The traffic violations defense attorneys of Matthew Lopez Law, PLLC, are experienced in representing people charged with racing and drag racing and other serious traffic violations.
If a person drives a vehicle or participates “in any manner in a race, speed competition or contest, drag race or acceleration contest, test of physical endurance or exhibition of speed or acceleration,” they can be charged under Arizona’s racing and drag racing statute. A conviction for racing or drag racing will result in a class 1 misdemeanor criminal conviction and may carry the following consequences:
- Fines
- Driver’s license suspension
- Community service
- Possible jail sentence
Defenses To Racing And Drag Racing Charges
In every case, we interview the police officer to determine if the charge matches our clients’ driving behavior. We know how to conduct an investigation and work with prosecutors to either get the case dismissed or have it reduced to a civil violation. In addition to appearing at our clients’ court hearings, we will represent our clients at their Motor Vehicle Division Hearings.
Move Quickly To Protect Your Driving Privileges And Your Freedom
If you are charged with racing or drag racing, it is imperative that you are represented by an experienced attorney. We understand that a conviction may jeopardize our clients’ careers and future careers; therefore, we take our clients’ charges seriously. Contact Matthew Lopez Law at 602-960-1731 to schedule a free consultation for your charge.
You Need A Criminal Speeding Attorney That Fights For You
There are many details that can be important in your circumstance that can help your case. How your speed was determined by the police officer can help fight your case; pacing and radar are not always accurate. Our legal team will look at all angles of your case to determine if we can get the ticket dismissed on a technicality.
Another option is petitioning the court to allow you to take a defensive driving course to have the criminal speeding ticket dismissed. Unlike civil speeding, the court does not automatically need to give you this option in Arizona. However, with an attorney on your side, you have a better chance of being allowed an opportunity to use the defensive driving course option if you have not taken the course in the last year.
If you are facing a criminal speeding offense, call our office at 602-960-1731 or email us for a free consultation. Do not let a moment of excessive speed have a permanent impact on your life.