{"id":17529,"date":"2020-01-30T13:42:01","date_gmt":"2020-01-30T20:42:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.jacksonwhitelaw.com\/criminal-defense-law\/?p=17529"},"modified":"2024-11-26T15:41:07","modified_gmt":"2024-11-26T22:41:07","slug":"dismiss-traffic-tickets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jacksonwhitelaw.com\/criminal-defense-law\/blog\/dismiss-traffic-tickets\/","title":{"rendered":"How Do Lawyers Dismiss Traffic Tickets in Arizona?"},"content":{"rendered":"
You may receive a traffic ticket<\/a> for violating laws, such as failure to obey a stoplight or driving over the speed limit. You can pay for your ticket fines through the mail or online, which counts as pleading guilty for the violation. If you wish to dismiss your ticket, you can choose to work with a lawyer. They\u2019ll fight to have your charges dismissed, work on negotiating a reduced penalty with the court, and appear in court on your behalf.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Representing yourself in court can be risky. Making a simple mistake may end up costing you if the court finds you guilty. Hiring a lawyer will improve your odds of reducing your charges or having them dismissed altogether.<\/p>\n Traffic tickets in Arizona can be either civil or criminal. Civil violations include running a red light, turning illegally, driving too fast or too slowly, or failing to obey traffic signs. Each civil traffic violation carries a number of points<\/a> that will determine your penalties, including fines. Fees for civil violations vary from court to court, but a first offense typically won\u2019t carry very severe financial consequences.<\/p>\n Criminal traffic violations are more serious and can include vehicular homicide, aggressive driving, reckless driving, and DUIs. The penalties and fines for a criminal violation tend to be much higher than civil violations, and the consequences increase if it isn\u2019t your first offense. For example, a first-time DUI conviction<\/a> could lead to a $1,250 fine, while a second offense<\/a> could come with a $3,000 penalty.<\/p>\n If you want to have your ticket dismissed, reduce the points on your record, and avoid paying fines for your traffic violation, you can look into the Defensive Driving Program<\/a>. This program is a driving course that you may take in a classroom or online. Keep in mind that if a judge orders you to take it in person, you must sign up for a classroom program.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The course teaches safe protocols for driving, helps you to avoid increasing car insurance rates, and may reduce the points added to your record. Note that you cannot remove points on your driving record by taking the Defensive Driving Program, but you can potentially reduce the amount accrued. If you wish to have your ticket dismissed, you must only have one violation up for dismissal.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n If your accident resulted in a fatality or serious injury, or you have a commercial driver\u2019s license, you can\u2019t get a dismissal through taking the course. You must wait at least 12 months after the date of your last traffic citation and complete the course at least a week before your scheduled court date.<\/p>\n Below are some of the most commonly asked questions regarding driving-related crimes in Arizona:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n If you want to fight your traffic ticket in court, the hearing will be similar to typical trials. You and your attorney will have a chance to plead your case, argue the law, call witnesses, present evidence to support your case, and question police department representatives.<\/p>\n You may have your license suspended for a traffic violation in Arizona, depending on how serious the crime was. If you\u2019ve received a traffic ticket before and have accumulated 8 points within a year, you may lose your license immediately. Some crimes, such as reckless driving<\/a> or driving under the influence, are 8-point violations and result in an immediate license suspension. The court will determine how long you\u2019ll lose your license for.<\/p>\n Excessive speeding is a misdemeanor<\/a> crime that comes with 3 points on your driving record in addition to fines. You may receive an excessive speeding charge if you drive faster than 35 miles per hour near a school crossing or exceed 85 miles per hour anywhere else. You might also be convicted of excessive speeding if you drive faster than the speed limit in a residential or business district.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n A misdemeanor conviction can harm your education or career opportunities in the future, so it\u2019s best to speak with an attorney if you\u2019ve received this type of charge.<\/p>\n You may receive an aggressive driving<\/a> charge if you immediately endanger another vehicle or person with a series of acts during one period of driving. To receive this charge, you must also driver faster than the posted speed limit and commit two of these traffic violations:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In Arizona (and in many other states), car insurance rates are decided by your driving record and how well you drive. Once you accumulate points on your record, your premium is likely to rise by a significant amount. Not only will you face fines for the original violation, but you may also suffer financial consequences over the long-term.<\/p>\n Traffic tickets can come with serious consequences, including fines, points on your record, and more. If you decide to fight a traffic violation, you\u2019ll be pleading \u201cnot guilty\u201d in court and should seek assistance from a lawyer<\/a>. They can appear in court on your behalf, help you gather evidence to support your case, and answer any questions you have. Speak with a lawyer today to protect your driving history, insurance rates, and record.<\/p>\nTraffic Tickets in Arizona<\/h2>\n
\n
Penalties for Traffic Tickets in Arizona<\/h2>\n
The Defensive Driving Program<\/h2>\n
FAQ on Traffic Violations in Arizona<\/h2>\n
Q: What does fighting a traffic ticket in court entail?\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n
Q: What does it take to get my license suspended?\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n
Q: What counts as \u201cexcessive speeding\u201d in Arizona?\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n
Q: What counts as \u201caggressive driving\u201d in Arizona?<\/h3>\n
\n
Q: Will my insurance go up if I\u2019m found guilty of a traffic violation?\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n
What to Do if You’re Facing Charges<\/h2>\n