What defenses are available for criminal speeding charges?

Criminal speeding cases may be defensible, including situations where an officer did little investigation or cannot confidently testify that the defendant was the person they witnessed speeding (such as in heavy traffic or when the officer observed from a distance). Technical defenses may also apply, because speed-detection devices must be carefully calibrated and officers must be licensed and trained to use them.

Phoenix Criminal Speeding Lawyer

Q: What makes speeding a criminal offense in Phoenix?

In Phoenix, a speeding charge can become a criminal offense when a motorist is traveling at “excessive speed.” The law identifies three circumstances: driving 35 miles per hour in a school zone, traveling more than 20 miles per hour above the speed limit in residential or business areas, or traveling over 85 miles per hour in any situation (including highways with speed limits between 70 and 75 miles per hour).

Q: Is driving over 85 mph criminal speeding in Phoenix?

Yes. Traveling over 85 miles per hour in any situation qualifies as criminal speeding. This is true even on highways with speed limits between 70 and 75 miles per hour.

Q: What are the penalties for criminal speeding in Phoenix?

Criminal speeding is treated as a class 3 misdemeanor in Arizona. A conviction can include up to 30 days in jail, $500 in fines, and a year of probation. The state may also assess points on the driver’s license that could lead to the suspension of driving privileges.

Phoenix Criminal Speeding Attorney

Driving faster than allowed by the posted speed limit is one of the most common reasons for a traffic stop in Phoenix. However, not all speeding tickets are the same. While many speeding offenses will result in fines or points on your license, some tickets could result in serious criminal penalties, including jail time.

If you have been charged with criminal speeding, a skilled defense attorney at Grand Canyon Law Group can fight to obtain a fair resolution in your case. This could involve the dismissal of the charge, a reduction in the offense, or a reasonable plea offer. Before you consider negotiating a plea bargain on your own, it is best to discuss your options with a Phoenix criminal speeding lawyer.

For a free legal consultation with a criminal speeding lawyer serving Phoenix, call 480-400-5555

WHAT MAKES SPEEDING A CRIMINAL OFFENSE?

In Phoenix, the severity of a speeding charge depends on if a motorist is traveling at “excessive speed.” This standard goes beyond driving above the speed limit, as an attorney at our Phoenix office can further explain. According to the law, there are three circumstances that could raise a standard speeding ticket to a criminal offense. Each of these circumstances involves an additional factor on top of speeding.

The first circumstance is when a driver travels 35 miles per hour in a school zone. Second, this charge may apply to motorists that travel more than 20 miles per hour above the speed limit in either residential or business areas. Finally, traveling over 85 miles per hour in any situation also qualifies as criminal speeding. This is true even on highways with speed limits between 70 and 75 miles per hour.

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PENALTIES FOR CRIMINAL SPEEDING IN PHOENIX

Criminal speeding is a misdemeanor offense in Arizona. Specifically, it is treated as a class 3 misdemeanor. A conviction for a class 3 misdemeanor comes with numerous penalties that could have a significant impact on a person’s life, including up to 30 days in jail, $500 in fines, and a year of probation. The state could also assess points on the driver’s license that could lead to the suspension of their driving privileges. As such, it is critical to fight back against criminal speeding charges with help from a dedicated lawyer at our firm.

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DEFENSES FOR CRIMINAL SPEEDING CHARGES

Many people are under the impression that it is pointless to fight a speeding ticket. This is not the case, especially for anyone facing criminal speeding charges. Speeding cases are often defensible, especially when it is clear the officer has done little in the way of actual investigating. In some cases, the officer might not be able to testify with confidence that the defendant was even the person they witnessed speeding. This is common when traffic is heavy, or the officer spotted the driver from a distance.

There are also technical defenses that can apply in these cases. The devices police use to identify speeding drivers must be carefully calibrated. Additionally, officers must be licensed and trained to use them. If there are technical deficiencies in a criminal speeding case, an experienced Phoenix attorney could use them as the basis for a defense.

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CONTACT A CRIMINAL SPEEDING ATTORNEY IN PHOENIX TODAY

Criminal speeding is a serious offense. If you are convicted, you could find yourself facing the real possibility of time in jail. Points on your driver’s license could also lead to the suspension of driving privileges, which could seriously impact your daily life.

Do not put yourself at risk of severe consequences by handling your defense on your own. Contact a Phoenix criminal speeding lawyer as soon as possible. At Grand Canyon Law Group, our former prosecutors are now dedicated defense attorneys who know how to handle your case the right way.