Jail for Criminal Speeding in Arizona?

Jail for Criminal Speed in Arizona?

In Arizona, you CAN go to jail for Criminal Speed. Criminal Speed is officially referred to as Excessive Speed in the Arizona statutes. You can be charged with Excessive Speed if:

1)    You exceed 85 mph.

2)    You exceed the posted speed limit by more than 20 mph in a residential or business district.

3)    You exceed 35 mph approaching a school crossing.

Excessive Speed is a crime. It is a class 3 misdemeanor in Arizona. For a class 3 misdemeanor in Arizona you can receive up to 30 days of jail. Your chances of receiving jail time go up in relation to your speed. In other words, a person charged with exceeding 85 miles per hour on a highway who is clocked at 102 miles per hour would have a greater risk of receiving jail time than a person who is clocked at 92 miles per hour. Many judges and prosecutors follow guidelines and policies as to where to begin to impose jail time. This varies from court to court.

To determine if you may be facing potential jail time it is important that you contact a lawyer who:

1)    offers a free consultation

2)    handles this crime often

3)    has extensive experience with this crime in the particular court you are required to appear.

THE LAW OFFICE OF KARL A. MUELLER, PLC
Website: www.AzTrialLawyer.com
Call (602) 697-8761
Free 24 Hour Consultations

Do I Need a Lawyer for a Criminal Speeding Charge?

Do I Need a Lawyer for a Criminal Speeding Charge?

You may be surprised to find yourself charged with a crime for speeding. Many Arizona drivers are unaware that such a crime exits. If you would like a detailed definition and explanation of Criminal Speeding (see Consequences of Excessive (Criminal) Speeding in this blog)

Basically, if the State can prove that you were in excess of 85 mph or speeding 20 mph or more over the posted speed limit, you can be charged with a class 3 misdemeanor in Arizona subjecting you to a criminal conviction and possible jail time. For a detailed explanation of misdemeanors in Arizona (see Misdemeanors in Arizona in this blog)

Benefits of Representation on a Criminal Speeding Charge

Because you are charged with a crime, you are entitled to all the rights and protections afforded any citizen charged with a criminal offense. The State must prove your Criminal Speeding charge with the same burden of proof necessary to prove any type of criminal case. Unlike a normal civil traffic speeding violation (see The Difference Between Criminal Traffic Violations vs. Civil Traffic Violation in Arizona in this blog), you are entitled to a trial where the State must prove the offense beyond a reasonable doubt. The Arizona Rules of Criminal Procedure and the Arizona Rules of Evidence apply in this trial unlike a civil traffic violation. An experienced trial lawyer can be of great assistance to you at each of the various stages of a criminal proceeding. An experienced trial lawyer may be able to acquit you of the crime at trial, convince the prosecutor to dismiss the crime prior to trial, or reduce the charge to a civil violation.

There are many negative consequences of Criminal Speeding conviction that an experienced trial lawyer can help you avoid. With skilled representation you may be able to avoid consequences including:

Up to 30 days of jail time
Mandatory fines
Classes
Points accessed by Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) to your driving record
Potential suspension or revocation of your driver’s license
Higher insurance, cancellation, or denial of insurance
Conviction of a crime resulting in a criminal record
Effects on immigration status, visas, and passports
Probation
Community service
Having your vehicle impounded


THE LAW OFFICE OF KARL A. MUELLER, PLC
Website: www.AzTrialLawyer.com
Call (602) 697-8761
Free 24 Hour Consultations