Not all speeding tickets are the same. In most cases, the driver receives a civil citation, pays a fine, and may have points added to their license. However, other tickets may involve criminal penalties that could land you in jail and force you to pay significant fines and surcharges.
By working with a Chandler criminal speeding lawyer who understands the local system, you may be able to negotiate a fair resolution or beat the charge at trial and avoid severe penalties. At Grand Canyon Law Group, our skilled attorneys are highly experienced in handling these types of cases and can fight for the best possible outcome in your situation.
Arizona expects all drivers to operate their vehicles safely as dictated by the road conditions and other circumstances. At all times, they must remain in control of their cars to avoid hitting other persons, cars, objects, or property. This “reasonable and prudent” standard is explained in Arizona Revised Statutes § 28-701.
However, driving above certain speeds automatically constitutes a violation in the following scenarios:
Other conditions such as crosswalks or railroad crossings, curves, hillcrests, or narrow and winding roads may require further speed restrictions. Although the law does set definite numbers in some instances, the reasonable and prudent standard may be open to interpretation. Our knowledgeable Chandler attorneys understand these legal concepts and can challenge speeding charges using various tactics.
In addition to establishing the reasonable and prudent standard, Arizona specifically defines excessive speeding in Ariz. Rev. Stat. §28-701.02(A) as traveling above:
In these situations, it can be difficult to avoid severe criminal penalties and related consequences without aggressive legal representation. Luckily, the criminal speeding attorneys at Grand Canyon Law Group are prepared to minimize the impact of these charges on your life and can fight to mitigate the consequences.
Criminal speeding is a Class 3 misdemeanor. Ariz. Rev. Stat. §§ 13-707 and 13-802 punish offenses in this category with fines up to $500, related surcharges, up to 30 days of incarceration, and one year of probation. Drivers charged with related moving violations, such as aggressive or reckless driving, may spend more time in jail and pay higher fines.
Convictions also create criminal records, which can negatively impact future educational, employment, and housing opportunities. A criminal history will stick with a person for the rest of their lives because Arizona does not allow expungement of speeding convictions.
Speeding citations also result in points on a driver’s license. Most speeding tickets assign three points, but that number may increase if the driver faces other traffic violations. If the motorist already has points on their license, they may risk losing their driving privileges through license suspension or revocation.
Points also negatively impact how insurance companies quote premiums. Auto insurers may assume that someone with speeding convictions is more likely to get into an accident, so they often charge them higher premiums.
By working with a dedicated local attorney skilled at defending criminal speeding cases, drivers can construct an effective defense that addresses all of these concerns. The legal team at Grand Canyon Law Group is here to protect your future and your way of life against speeding charges.
Although some of the thresholds set by Arizona law may seem unchallengeable, there are still various defenses that a seasoned speeding attorney could utilize. Our lawyers regularly help motorists devise strategies to raise questions about the accuracy of the device used to determine the speed of the car, mistaken identity (pulling over the wrong car), or emergencies necessitating the increased speeds.
You may think that you can handle the citation you received, but your freedom and finances could be in jeopardy if the charges involve criminal speeding. The Chandler criminal speeding lawyers at the Grand Canyon Law Group have significant experience with the Arizona legal systems. Let us use that experience and tirelessly represent you against serious penalties. Call today for a consultation.