Photo Radar

Photo radars are well spread throughout Phoenix, Mesa, Tempe, Scottsdale, and Paradise Valley. A photo radar camera takes a picture of a speeding vehicle and the license number is then used to track the owner. The trigger speed of photo radars in Arizona is set to 11 miles per hour (MPH) over the posted speed limit in all locations except for school zones, which is set to 6 miles per hour (MPH) over the posted speed limit.

If a picture of your vehicle has been taken by a photo radar camera, the city will send you a ticket in the mail. It is important to know that Arizona courts have held that service by mail does not comply with Arizona law. However, by signing and returning the traffic ticket, you waive your rights. If you do not sign and return the traffic ticket, then a process server will serve the ticket to you in person. Once the ticket has been legally served to you, you will be required to appear for the traffic violation.

Points
In Arizona, each time you are convicted for a moving traffic violation, or forfeit bail, points are assessed against your permanent driving record. If you accumulate 8 or more points in any 12-month period, you may be required to attend Traffic Survival School (TSS), or your driving privilege may be suspended up to 12 months.All convictions for red-light/stop-sign running, aggressive driving, moving violations resulting in death or serious injury, and the first moving violation for drivers under 18 years of age require successful completion of Traffic Survival School following assignment. Failure to successfully complete Traffic Survival School when ordered will result in the suspension of the person’s driving privilege.
Violation
Points
DUI 8
Extreme DUI 8
Reckless Driving 8
Aggressive Driving 8
Leaving the scene of accident, hit-and-run 6
Failure to stop for a traffic signal, stop sign or to yield the right-of-way causing death 6
Failure to stop for a traffic signal, stop sign or to yield the right-of-way causing serious injury 4
Speeding 3
Driving over or parking in a gore area 3
All other moving violations 2

Civil Traffic Violations

If you have received a civil traffic citation in Arizona, you have three options:

Attend defensive driving school

If you choose to attend defensive driving school, and you are eligible to attend, you will not have to make a court appearance if you attend before your scheduled court date. Otherwise, you must appear on your scheduled court date and request permission to attend driving school. The court clerk will be able to process your request.

You can register over the phone and make arrangements to attend class at any State certified school listed here.

Deny responsibility and request a hearing

To request a hearing for a civil traffic citation, you may do so by mail or by appearing on your scheduled court date. You should know that by requesting a hearing you may give up any option of attending a defensive driving school diversion program. Should you fail to appear for the hearing, you may voluntarily post a deposit in the amount of the civil penalty to ensure your license is not suspended.

Admit responsibility and pay the civil penalty

You may pay the amount listed on the bond envelope and mail in your payment to admit responsibility. Know that all civil penalties are due in full on or before the scheduled appearance date. If you do not pay your penalty in full on or before the scheduled court date, you must request a time payment plan and prove you are unable to pay in full. The fines manager will review your financial information and run a credit report to determine your eligibility for an installment plan. There is a $20.00 time payment fee added to all fines and penalties not paid in full on the same day they are imposed.

Criminal Traffic Violations

If you have received a criminal traffic violation, you must appear before the judge on your scheduled appearance date, which is listed on your ticket. When you appear before the judge, you have three options:

Plead guilty

If you plead guilty, you are admitting that you committed the violation for which you were ticketed. Possible penalties for a criminal traffic violation include: points on your driving record, a fine, suspension or restriction of your driving privileges, jail, community service, and court-ordered education classes.

Plead not guilty

If you plead not guilty, you are denying you committed the charge(s) against you. The Court will give you a trial or pre-trial date. If you choose this route, you have the following rights as a defendant:

  • The right to a trial before a justice of the peace, and in some cases, before a jury.
  • The right to be represented by an attorney at all stages of the case. In some cases, if you are unable to pay for an attorney, the court may appoint an attorney for you. You will have to provide evidence that you are indigent or are unable to afford an attorney. The court may require that you contribute a reasonable amount towards attorney fees.
  • The right to confront witnesses and cross-examine them as to the truthfulness of their testimony.
  • The right to have subpoenas issued by the court at no cost to you to compel the attendance of witnesses.
  • The right to remain silent and to be presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
  • The right to appeal. There is no right to appeal a guilty plea.
Plead not contest

If you plead not contest, you are neither admitting nor denying the charges against you and are telling the court that you do not intend to contest the charges. The penalty may be the same as a guilty plea. The judge may consider an explanation before imposing a fine or penalty.

MVD Consequences

The MVD may suspend or revoke your driving privilege if you:

  • Have been convicted of frequent, serious offenses which show disrespect for traffic laws and a disregard for the safety of others
  • Have been convicted of reckless driving or are a repeat reckless or negligent driver
  • Are medically unsafe to drive a motor vehicle
  • Have committed or permitted an unlawful or fraudulent use of your driver license
  • Have been convicted of driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, drugs or toxic vapors
  • Have been arrested for refusal to take or successfully complete a chemical test (alcohol/drug content). The penalty for refusal or unsuccessful completion is a 12-month suspension of your driver license, or 2 years for a second or subsequent refusal within an 84-month period.
  • Are under 21 and have been convicted of receiving, consuming or possessing alcohol
  • Are under 21 and have been convicted of any illegal drug violation
  • Have an unresolved judgment from another state
  • Have committed an offense for which mandatory revocation of the driving privilege is required upon conviction
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