Penalties for traffic offenses in Arizona range all the way from fines to life in prison. Some traffic violations carry relatively minor punishments, such as a fine and points on your driver’s license, but can lead to license suspension and costly increases in insurance premiums. Other charges could require you to spend several years in jail or even up to life in prison, pay significant fines, and be subjected to other harsh criminal penalties if you are convicted. You should not delay in retaining a Gilbert traffic lawyer to handle your case. A seasoned defense attorney at Grand Canyon Law Group (GCLG) can attack the accusations against you. Our firm and your case would be run by a former traffic prosecutor, David Lish or Ryan McPhie. The right attorney will exhaust all options to gain the most favorable outcome for your case. Our past clients have provided glowing praise and feel we have saved their lives.
To get started on your case, be sure to schedule a free consultation today. You will speak with one of our experienced attorneys from the beginning, not a legal salesperson. You will gain important knowledge about what you are up against and gain hope and knowledge for how we can help. Unlikely most firms, we will handle your case personally.
There is a wide variety of traffic violations charged in Gilbert. These can be divided into 1. Civil traffic violations, 2. Criminal Traffic violations, and 3. Major felony offenses that are traffic-related.
Civil offenses include speeding, unsafe lane change, and other offenses. Criminal traffic violations include Criminal speed (Excessive speed, Exhibition of Speed), DUI (Driving Under the Influence of alcohol, liquor, or drugs) including Extreme DUI and Super-Extreme DUI, and even Driving with an expired or revoked license. Major Felony offenses we most commonly see that are traffic-related are: Aggravated DUI, Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, or vehicular homicide, manslaughter, or murder.
Regardless of how minor or serious a traffic charge may seem, individuals accused of these offenses should not try to face the legal system independently, or even with a public defender if they can afford to hire a private attorney. Instead, they should speak with a local traffic violation attorney who could evaluate the strength of the State’s case and what options exist to build the most vigorous possible defense.
The penalties attached to a traffic violation vary almost as widely as the different kinds of traffic-related offenses. In some cases, a speeding ticket could not only result in significant fines, but also lead to a termination of your driving privileges and/or confiscation of your vehicle. The long-term financial effect is hard to measure, as it can lead to long-term escalation in care insurance rates and premiums.
Another common traffic charge is reckless driving, which occurs when you operate your vehicle with a blatant lack of care for the well-being of others. The state of Arizona classifies reckless driving as a Class 2 misdemeanor, the penalties for which can include four months’ incarceration and a financial penalty of $750. However, this is a unique traffic offense as it comes with the right to a jury trial, not just a trial to a judge. And the prosecutor must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you drove…recklessly. This is not a very exact or defined term under the law. What is reckless to one person may not be to another. This provides opportunity to negotiate these cases with the prosecutor. Our reckless driving attorneys know how to do this to benefit our clients the most. And prosecutors know that we will drag them through trial and they risk a loss if they do not give our clients enough benefit in a negotiated outcome.
Driving with an expired or terminated license is another frequently charged traffic offense in Gilbert and is categorized as a Class 1 misdemeanor offense (see Arizona Revised Statutes §28-3473). Class 1 misdemeanor convictions carry punishments, including up to half a years’ incarceration and a financial penalty equaling $2,500. These are the same penalties at risk for all Class 1 misdemeanor offenses, such as all misdemeanor DUI cases.
One grave traffic charge is vehicular manslaughter. You can face charges for vehicular manslaughter under the state’s general manslaughter statute if you engage in a careless driving offense such as a DUI (driving with a blood-alcohol level that meets or surpasses 0.08 percent) that results in someone else losing their life. You could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted of this offense. If you have been convicted of a traffic violation before or have too many points on your license, you may face enhanced penalties. It is crucial to work with a Gilbert traffic ticket attorney who can help you fight these charges in court and try to get the penalties reduced.
If you are facing traffic charges for an alleged violation, you could consult with a Gilbert traffic lawyer at GCLG about your case. Our attorneys will offer additional information about your charges and the potential punishments if convicted while reviewing all available defense solutions. Our attorneys will work tirelessly to get you the justice you deserve. Set up your legal consultation to begin building a defense today.