{"id":13952,"date":"2024-10-08T09:23:58","date_gmt":"2024-10-08T16:23:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.jacksonwhitelaw.com\/criminal-defense-law\/?page_id=13952"},"modified":"2024-11-08T10:52:51","modified_gmt":"2024-11-08T17:52:51","slug":"reckless-driving-arizona","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jacksonwhitelaw.com\/criminal-defense-law\/blog\/reckless-driving-arizona\/","title":{"rendered":"Arizona Reckless Driving Laws (ARS 28-693)"},"content":{"rendered":"
Reckless driving in Arizona, like criminal speeding, is a common offense. Because it\u2019s something that happens often, some drivers believe it won\u2019t be a serious charge if they\u2019re caught, but this isn\u2019t the case. Reckless driving laws in Arizona are strict, and a reckless driving conviction can be a misdemeanor that can lead to jail time, significant fines or even a suspended license.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re facing a reckless driving charge in Arizona, it\u2019s important to know that it\u2019s something that won\u2019t go away on its own. It\u2019s important to have a skilled and experienced attorney on your side to help you navigate the legal process and combat the charges against you. With the right team, like our team of criminal defense attorneys at JacksonWhite Law, you can give yourself the best chance of minimizing your penalties.<\/p>\n
Reckless driving in Arizona is covered under\u00a0ARS 28-693<\/a>\u00a0and is defined as \u201cDriving with willful disregard for the safety of persons or property.\u201d Reckless driving can entail a variety of unsafe and questionable behaviors.<\/p>\n Some examples of reckless driving behaviors include:<\/p>\n These are just a few of the examples of behaviors that can constitute reckless driving. To sum it up, reckless driving involves irresponsible, careless actions that can put others in harm\u2019s way.<\/p>\n Although it\u2019s not required, having a reckless driving attorney can significantly improve your chances of having your penalties reduced or your charges dropped altogether. Reckless driving in Arizona is governed by statute 28-693, which states that reckless driving is any kind of driving that shows \u201cdisregard for the safety of persons or property.\u201d<\/p>\n The statute makes it clear that reckless driving can be a class 1 or class 2 misdemeanor offense and carries harsh penalties respective of those classes. So, although you don\u2019t technically need a reckless driving attorney, facing the typical sentencing for the charge without the right representation could lead to more penalties than you may be able to face with an attorney to defend you.<\/p>\n Reckless driving in Arizona has serious penalties, but these penalties can be even greater depending on the circumstances around the offense. According to\u00a0ARS 28-693<\/a>, a reckless driving charge is a class 1 or class 2 misdemeanor, which can lead to penalties ranging from hefty fines to jail time.<\/p>\n Penalties for a\u00a0first-time reckless driving conviction<\/strong>\u00a0may include:<\/p>\n Meanwhile, penalties for a\u00a0second reckless driving conviction within 2 years of a prior conviction or in conjunction with a conviction for another eligible offense<\/strong>\u00a0may include:<\/p>\n In addition to the legal penalties of a reckless driving charge, you may also face other indirect penalties as a result. For example, you may experience higher insurance premiums or difficulty finding coverage with a reckless driving charge on your record.<\/p>\n A reckless driving charge\u00a0can come with increased penalties if it is committed in addition to other unsafe actions that pose additional risk<\/strong>. These actions are known as aggravating factors that can come with additional legal penalties, such as increased fines or added jail time.<\/p>\n Aggravating factors include:<\/p>\n Any of these aggravating factors can result in higher penalties if convicted. If you have been charged with reckless driving with aggravating factors, you should consult a criminal defense attorney to discuss your options for reducing your charges.<\/p>\n Although these two charges are often compared, reckless driving and aggressive driving are actually two separate crimes. Generally, aggressive driving is a classification of a specific set of behaviors taken while driving, while reckless driving focuses more on a person\u2019s intention while driving.<\/p>\n Aggressive driving,\u00a0<\/strong>covered under\u00a0ARS 28-695<\/a>, is a manner of driving that poses a hazard to another person or vehicle and includes at least two violations. Violations listed in the statute include a failure to obey traffic lights, unsafe lane changes, following a vehicle too closely, driving off roadways to pass traffic, or failure to yield to right of way.<\/p>\n An aggressive driving charge is a class 1 misdemeanor in Arizona and can include penalties like a fine of up to $2,500, prison time of up to 6 months, probation, traffic school, and even a possible license suspension.<\/p>\n Reckless driving\u00a0<\/strong>refers to the practice of driving with a disregard for the safety of persons or property. A reckless driving violation in Arizona is a class 2 misdemeanor and can come with harsh penalties, including four months in jail, a fine up to $750, up to 2 years probation, and potentially a suspended license.<\/p>\n The key difference between the two is that reckless driving involves a conscious disregard for the safety of persons or property. Although aggressive driving is irresponsible and has the potential to be dangerous, it may not have put anyone in direct danger.<\/p>\n Reckless driving is a serious charge that can come with harsh penalties, but\u00a0a skilled criminal defense attorney may be able to help you combat these penaltie<\/strong>s and overcome a conviction. The right defense may be able to achieve reduced charges or penalties by challenging the evidence put forth by the prosecution or providing an alternative perspective of the facts.<\/p>\n Defenses to reckless driving charges include:<\/p>\n The best possible defense for someone facing a reckless driving charge depends on the unique circumstances of their specific case. If you\u2019ve been charged with reckless driving, you should seek the support of a skilled attorney who will assess your situation and determine the best defense strategy that may work for you.<\/p>\n Being convicted of reckless driving comes with more than just the legal consequences of a fine or penalty. A conviction can affect your day-to-day life well into the future.<\/p>\n After a reckless driving conviction, you may experience the following consequences:<\/p>\n With the many potential consequences of a reckless driving conviction, you should be sure to remain safe and attentive on the road. If you\u2019ve been charged with reckless or aggressive driving, a criminal defense attorney may be able to help you fight back against the charges.<\/p>\n Hiring a criminal defense attorney offers several benefits if you\u2019re facing criminal charges for reckless driving. Navigating the legal system alone is incredibly challenging, especially if you\u2019re facing a prosecution team tasked with a successful conviction.\u00a0An attorney helps ease the burden of navigating criminal charges and the courts<\/strong>.<\/p>\n An attorney can support you in the following ways:<\/p>\n With the above benefits combined, an attorney can offer valuable peace of mind to a defendant. Having an attorney by your side against criminal charges can reduce the stress of the process and having to build an argument alone.<\/p>\n The easiest way to combat reckless driving charges is to avoid them entirely. Generally, you can avoid reckless driving charges by driving safely and responsibly. The risks of reckless driving, from the legal consequences to the potential safety concerns, will always outweigh the idea of trying to get somewhere faster.<\/p>\n Avoid reckless driving charges by:<\/p>\n Although the ideal approach is always to avoid a charge, there may be instances where you get stuck driving in an urgent situation and get tagged with a reckless driving charge. If you have been charged with reckless driving, you should consult a skilled defense attorney who can work with you to build a strong case against the prosecution and help you avoid the harshest penalties under the law.<\/p>\n Reckless driving charges in Arizona can come with harsh penalties, from strong financial penalties to lasting impacts on your driving record. However, you may be able to push back against your charges with a defense that cites a lack of intent or a lack of evidence against you. Regardless, if you\u2019ve been charged with reckless driving in Arizona, you should seek the support of a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible.<\/p>\n\n
Do You Need an Attorney for Reckless Driving in Arizona?<\/h2>\n
Penalties for Reckless Driving in Arizona<\/h2>\n
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Aggravating Factors That Can Increase Penalties<\/h3>\n
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Reckless Driving vs. Aggressive Driving<\/h2>\n
Potential Defenses To Reckless Driving Charges<\/h2>\n
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Consequences of a Reckless Driving Conviction<\/h2>\n
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Why You Should Hire a Criminal Defense Attorney<\/h2>\n
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How To Avoid Reckless Driving Charges<\/h2>\n
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Seek Reduced Penalties for Reckless Driving with JacksonWhite Law<\/h2>\n