Arizona Traffic Crimes Lawyer
Not every traffic offense in Arizona is simply a ticket. Certain driving allegations can result in a criminal charge, a court appearance, a criminal record and possible consequences for your driving privileges. The Maerowitz Law Firm, LLC provides experienced, personalized defense for people facing criminal traffic charges in Phoenix and throughout Arizona.
Whether you are accused of criminal speeding, reckless driving, aggressive driving, racing, driving on a suspended license, leaving the scene of an accident or another serious traffic offense, the facts and evidence should be carefully reviewed before important decisions are made.
CALL 480-927-3700 FREE & CONFIDENTIAL CONSULTATIONA Criminal Traffic Charge Is Different From an Ordinary Traffic Ticket.
Many Arizona traffic violations are civil matters. Other traffic offenses, however, can be charged as misdemeanors or felonies and prosecuted in criminal court.
That distinction matters. A criminal traffic case may involve more than simply paying a fine. Depending on the particular charge and circumstances, the case can raise concerns involving a criminal record, driving privileges, employment, insurance and other consequences.
An experienced Arizona traffic crimes lawyer can review the citation or charging document, examine the evidence, identify legal or factual issues and explain the options available based on the particular offense.
Do Not Treat a Criminal Traffic Citation Like an Ordinary Ticket.
Criminal traffic cases may require a court appearance and can involve evidence from police officers, radar or speed-measuring devices, body-camera footage, dash-camera video, witnesses, accident investigations and motor-vehicle records.
Reviewing the charge early can help identify what the State must prove and whether there are factual, legal or evidentiary issues that may affect the case.
SPEAK WITH THE MAEROWITZ LAW FIRM | 480-927-3700Arizona Traffic Crime Defense for a Wide Range of Charges
Arizona law treats several serious driving violations as criminal offenses rather than ordinary civil traffic violations. The Maerowitz Law Firm evaluates the specific charge, the evidence and the driver's individual circumstances.
Criminal Speeding
Defense for excessive-speed charges under Arizona law, commonly referred to as criminal speeding, including review of the alleged speed, location, measurement method and surrounding circumstances.
Reckless Driving
Representation when a driver is accused of operating a vehicle with reckless disregard for the safety of people or property.
Aggressive Driving
Defense involving allegations that speeding or excessive speed occurred together with specified traffic violations and created an immediate hazard to another person or vehicle.
Driving on a Suspended or Revoked License
Representation for allegations involving operation of a vehicle while driving privileges were suspended, revoked, canceled, refused or otherwise restricted.
Racing & Exhibition of Speed
Defense involving allegations of street racing, drag racing, speed competition, acceleration contests or exhibitions of speed on Arizona roads.
Hit-and-Run / Leaving the Scene
Representation for allegations that a driver failed to stop, remain at an accident scene or satisfy legal obligations after a collision involving property damage, injury or death.
Unlawful Flight From Law Enforcement
Defense in felony cases involving allegations that a driver wilfully fled or attempted to elude a pursuing law-enforcement vehicle under circumstances covered by Arizona law.
Serious Injury Vehicle Offenses
Representation in serious traffic-related criminal matters involving allegations that unlawful driving conduct resulted in physical injury or serious physical injury.
Other Criminal Traffic Offenses
Representation in other Arizona traffic cases where the alleged violation is criminal rather than an ordinary civil traffic matter.
Criminal Speeding Is More Than an Ordinary Speeding Ticket.
Arizona law separately criminalizes certain excessive-speed violations. These cases are commonly referred to as criminal speeding.
Because this is a criminal allegation, the State must prove the charge rather than simply treating the matter as an ordinary civil speeding citation. Depending on the case, evidence may include an officer's observations, radar or lidar readings, pacing, speed calculations, roadway signs, location information and video.
The method used to determine speed, the location of the alleged violation, signage, equipment, officer observations and other circumstances may become relevant when evaluating a criminal speeding charge.
Reckless Driving vs. Aggressive Driving in Arizona
Arizona reckless-driving law focuses on driving with reckless disregard for the safety of people or property.
Whether particular driving rises to the level of criminal recklessness can depend heavily on the surrounding facts rather than on one isolated allegation.
Arizona's aggressive-driving statute has specific elements involving speeding or excessive speed together with specified traffic violations.
The State must also establish that the driver's conduct created an immediate hazard to another person or vehicle.
Driving on a Suspended, Revoked or Canceled License
A driver's license can become suspended or revoked for many different reasons. A later allegation that the person drove while the license was not valid can create a separate criminal traffic case.
The reason for the suspension, the driver's motor-vehicle record, applicable notice requirements, reinstatement status and circumstances of the alleged driving can all become relevant.
Resolving the underlying license problem may also be important. Criminal court and Arizona Motor Vehicle Division issues can overlap, but they are not always the same proceeding.
Arizona Hit-and-Run Charges Can Range From Misdemeanors to Serious Felonies.
Arizona law imposes duties on drivers involved in traffic accidents. The precise obligations and severity of a criminal charge depend in part on whether the accident involved property damage, physical injury, serious physical injury or death.
A leaving-the-scene investigation may involve questions about who was driving, whether the driver knew an accident occurred, what happened immediately after the collision, the nature of any injury and whether the driver complied with the duties required by law.
Vehicle damage, photographs, video, witness statements, 911 records, location data, medical information and statements attributed to the driver may all become important evidence.
Racing and Unlawful Flight Can Create Serious Criminal Exposure
Arizona prohibits racing, speed competitions, drag races, acceleration contests and certain exhibitions of speed on streets and highways.
These allegations can also create driver's-license concerns and can become more serious when a person has qualifying prior convictions.
Arizona law makes it a felony for a driver to wilfully flee or attempt to elude a pursuing official law-enforcement vehicle when the statutory requirements are met.
Whether the driver knew a vehicle was law enforcement, how the pursuit began and what evidence establishes an alleged attempt to flee may become important issues.
Arizona DUI Cases Have Their Own Dedicated Resource.
Because Arizona DUI cases involve specialized criminal, scientific and driver's-license issues, The Maerowitz Law Firm has a separate page dedicated specifically to DUI defense.
VISIT OUR ARIZONA DUI LAWYER PAGEA Criminal Traffic Case Should Be Evaluated From More Than One Angle.
The right defense depends on the charge. A criminal speeding case can involve very different evidence from a hit-and-run, suspended-license or unlawful-flight case.
Depending on the allegations, The Maerowitz Law Firm may examine issues including:
Some Criminal Traffic Cases Can Also Affect Your Driver's License.
Certain Arizona traffic convictions can result in or contribute to driver's-license suspension, revocation, restrictions, traffic-survival-school requirements or other motor-vehicle consequences.
Those issues can be particularly important for people who depend on driving for work, school, family responsibilities or professional licensing.
Understanding both the court case and any related Arizona Motor Vehicle Division consequences can help a driver make more informed decisions about how to proceed.
Why Hire The Maerowitz Law Firm for an Arizona Traffic Crime?
The Maerowitz Law Firm, LLC is an Arizona law firm focused on providing experienced, personalized criminal defense representation. The firm takes the time to understand the charge, evidence and circumstances rather than treating every traffic case like a routine citation.
Managing Attorney Matt Maerowitz has 12 years of legal experience and has represented clients in bench and jury trials. His practice focuses on criminal defense, DUI and personal injury.
Matt's criminal defense background and trial experience help him evaluate both the legal elements of a traffic crime and the practical consequences a criminal driving charge can create for a client.
Every criminal traffic case is different. The firm's approach focuses on the evidence, applicable Arizona law, driving record, client's priorities and developing a defense strategy tailored to the particular allegations.
Three Important Steps to Take
Keep Your Paperwork
Preserve the citation, complaint, release paperwork, accident information and any documents provided by law enforcement or the court.
Pay Attention to Court Dates
A criminal traffic charge may require a court appearance. Review the documents carefully and avoid missing any required hearing or deadline.
Speak With a Traffic Defense Lawyer
Discuss the citation, evidence, driving record and legal options with an experienced Arizona criminal defense attorney.
Looking for an Arizona Traffic Crimes Lawyer? Talk With The Maerowitz Law Firm.
The Maerowitz Law Firm, LLC is based in Phoenix and represents clients in criminal matters throughout Arizona. Whether you are accused of criminal speeding, reckless driving, aggressive driving, racing, driving on a suspended license, leaving the scene of an accident, unlawful flight or another criminal traffic offense, experienced legal guidance can help you understand the charge and available options.
If you are searching for an Arizona traffic crimes lawyer, Phoenix criminal traffic attorney, criminal speeding lawyer, reckless driving attorney, hit-and-run lawyer or Arizona criminal defense attorney, contact The Maerowitz Law Firm for a free and confidential consultation.
FREE CONSULTATION | 480-927-3700Frequently Asked Questions About Arizona Criminal Traffic Charges
Is criminal speeding actually a crime in Arizona?
Yes. Arizona's excessive-speed law creates a criminal misdemeanor offense for driving that falls within the circumstances specified by A.R.S. § 28-701.02. It is commonly referred to as criminal speeding.
Is reckless driving a criminal offense in Arizona?
Yes. Reckless driving is a criminal offense under Arizona law. The State must prove that the person drove with reckless disregard for the safety of people or property.
What is aggressive driving in Arizona?
Arizona's aggressive-driving statute involves speeding or excessive speed together with at least two specified traffic violations during a course of conduct, plus an immediate hazard to another person or vehicle.
Can leaving an accident scene be a felony?
Yes. Arizona distinguishes between accidents involving only property damage and accidents involving physical injury, serious physical injury or death. Leaving the scene of an injury or fatal accident can result in felony allegations.
Can racing on a highway result in a criminal charge?
Yes. Arizona prohibits racing, speed competitions, drag races, acceleration contests and certain exhibitions of speed on streets and highways. The consequences can become more serious for qualifying repeat offenses.
Is fleeing from a police vehicle a felony in Arizona?
Arizona law makes unlawful flight from a pursuing law-enforcement vehicle a felony when the statutory requirements are satisfied. Knowledge, identification of the law-enforcement vehicle and the driver's actions can become important issues in the case.
What if my traffic charge is DUI?
The Maerowitz Law Firm has a separate page devoted specifically to Arizona DUI defense because DUI cases involve specialized criminal, scientific and driver's-license issues. Visit our Arizona DUI Lawyer page for detailed DUI information.
Does The Maerowitz Law Firm offer free consultations for criminal traffic cases?
Yes. The Maerowitz Law Firm, LLC offers a free and confidential initial consultation. Call 480-927-3700 to discuss an Arizona criminal traffic matter.
Facing a Criminal Traffic Charge in Arizona?
If you have been charged with criminal speeding, reckless driving, aggressive driving, racing, driving on a suspended license, leaving an accident scene, unlawful flight or another criminal traffic offense in Phoenix or elsewhere in Arizona, speak with an experienced criminal defense attorney about the evidence and your legal options.
Contact The Maerowitz Law Firm, LLC today.
480-927-3700 CALL FOR A FREE CONSULTATION CONTACT THE FIRMThis information is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The classification, defenses and potential consequences of an Arizona traffic offense depend on the particular charge, facts and applicable law. Viewing this page or contacting the firm does not by itself establish an attorney-client relationship.