Traffic Offenses
Arizona traffic lawyers
Every year, more than 34 million people receive a traffic ticket from a police officer.
There are three types of traffic violations:
Infractions are punishable by fines up to $200. Common infractions include speeding and running a red light or a stop sign.
Felonies, like vehicular manslaughter, are punishable by confinement in state prison.
Misdemeanors can carry penalties of $2,000 or more, plus jail time. The maximum penalty for a misdemeanor in Arizona is one year in county jail and/or a large fine. The most common traffic misdemeanors are:
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Driving without a valid license
- Failure to stop and submit to inspection of equipment or for an unsafe condition endangering a person
- Fleeing from an officer
- Falsifying a disabled person placard or displaying a falsified placard with fraudulent intent
- Filing a false report of a vehicle theft with a law enforcement agency
There are two major types of traffic tickets. No matter which type of ticket you receive, you can contest it.
Tickets for moving violations:
- Speeding
- Failure to obey traffic signs or lights
- Illegal turns
- Doing anything else illegal while your car is in motion
Tickets for non-moving violations:
- Parking illegally
- Not carrying insurance
- An invalid registration
- Other administrative and technical violations
If you plead not guilty, normal trial rules are followed and the state must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. In your defense, you may offer opposing evidence, present supporting witnesses, argue the law and cross-examine the law enforcement officer who issued the citation.
If the verdict is not guilty, the court will refund the bail to the defendant. Drivers given guilty verdicts must pay the fine or serve the sentence. People who do not pay the fine and/or serve the sentence within the authorized time will have their driver's license suspended or will be charged with contempt of court and a warrant will be issued for their arrest.
For a free consultation with compassionate, experienced legal counsel, call 520-327-3442. Thrush Law Group, Lawyers on Your Side.
