Criminal speeding is a common traffic violation that can have a devastating outcome. Drivers that make the decision to speed put themselves and other drivers on the road at risk for possible collisions or other accidents. If the state can prove that you were speeding at a criminal level, you could face serious consequences including possible jail time, fines, and probation.Â
If you have been arrested for criminal speeding in Arizona, you’ll want to seek legal counsel immediately. An experienced Peoria criminal speeding attorney can help you build a solid defense while protecting your rights every step of the way.
Criminal Speeding Laws in Peoria
Under Arizona Revised Statute SS28-702.02, drivers can be charged with criminal speeding in three ways. These include exceeding the speed limit by 20 mph or more; exceeding 85 mph on freeways or highways; or exceeding 35 mph in school zones.
Criminal speeding should be distinguished from civil speeding offenses in that incivile cases usually result in only receiving a citation and fine, while criminal speeding can have more severe repercussions, including possible DUI or assault charge.
Criminal Speeding Penalties in Peoria
Criminal speeding in Arizona may carry various penalties depending on several factors, including an individual’s age, the speed at which they were driving and whether it is their first offense. As a general guideline, criminal speeding may result in up to 30 days in jail time, one year of probationary status and fines up to $500 plus surcharges for first time offenses.
Conviction for criminal speeding can have severe repercussions, including creating a permanent criminal record that cannot be expunged, disqualification from certain job opportunities, the addition of three points to your license and increased insurance rates; or potentially adverse repercussions to immigration status if applicable.
Criminal speeding charges in Arizona can have far-reaching repercussions, including suspension of your driver’s license and/or disqualification from commercial driver license status if applicable, loss of security clearances and professional licenses, as well as irreparable harm to your reputation due to having to disclose such events on applications for employment and professional licensing.
Arizona licenses operate using a point system; their scale of operation can be found here:
Zero Points For Dismissals or Non-Moving Violations [TWO POINTS PER MOVING VIOLATION], Two points are applied for any other violations and three for civil speeding or criminal speeding; six points will be deducted for leaving the scene
Note that points will only accumulate with each offense you commit, not subtracted away; even just accumulating a few can have serious legal repercussions and will be reported back to other states’ motor vehicle departments, potentially leaving you open to consequences when returning home.
Defenses for Criminal Speeding in Peoria
If you are pulled over and arrested by the police for criminal speeding, you could lose your driving privileges, be required to pay major fines, and possibly even go to jail. As criminal speeding is taken very seriously in Arizona, it is crucial to have a criminal defense attorney by your side to fight for your rights. A Peoria criminal speeding attorney will help you build a case that will reduce or possibly eliminate your charges.
There are a number of minor details that could help your case, such as how your speed was determined by the police. As pacing and radar are not always accurate, a criminal defense attorney could argue that the speed was inaccurate which could get your case dismissed on a technicality.
If there is no suitable defense for your actions, a Peoria criminal speeding attorney may be able to get your charges reduced or dismissed by making a deal. An attorney could petition the court to allow you to take a defensive driving course in exchange for having the case dismissed. When you have experienced legal counsel by your side, a deal is more likely to be accepted by a court.
Call the Peoria JacksonWhite Criminal Law team at (480) 418-4281 to discuss your case today.
