Speeding Ticket in AZ - Criminal Offence - Help Please

[advice_please]

What is the name of your state? Arizona

I am a California resident and was on a leisure visit to AZ. I got a speeding ticket for driving at 90 and the posted limit was 65. The ticket mentions that it's a criminal offence and I am now really confused on the repercussions. I never have got a ticket in last 5 years and I had no idea that driving at 90 will lead to this.

I have the following questions:

1. Will this criminal record come up during background checks? I switch jobs twice a year and there's a background check everytime. So I am really worried about this one.

When this record does come up do the Companies ignore it since it's a traffic violation or is this considered serious?

2. Does this criminal record stay on the file forever? Is there a way to remove it?

3. California state doesn't charge a criminal offence for speeding at 90 so does this in any way make a case for plea to the judge?

4. Will the judge consider my clean background ? Should I also mention the issues I will have in getting jobs?

5. Should I hire an Attorney or should I send a self declaration and ask for reduction to a civil case? Does going thru an Attorney make any difference. I am ready to spend money provided there's a hope.

Also how do I find out that the Attorney I am engaging with is good? Do I have to engage with the Attorneys local to the area I was charged ticket or can I engage with any Attorney?

What are the typical fees for such a case?

I will be really grateful to you all if my questions can be answered.

Thanks.What is the name of your state?

[smblkc]

Just remember that motor vehicle offenses (such as speeding) are typically criminal offenses. Will it be on your record? Most likely, yes... as a speeding ticket. However, I am not familiar with the laws out there, so an attorney or someone more knowledgeable should be consulted.

In my state, court costs are already added in the cost of the ticket, and are charged whether you go to court or not (For instance a $75 ticket will be $25 fine and $50 court costs). Might be different there, though.

To find out about attorneys, get references from friends and family. Also contact local bar associations and law libraries, they may have a referral program. Ask the attorney if he/she is able to take on interstate cases (specifically in the area that you have go to court at).

The magistrate may take your record into consideration, but 25 over is awful fast (some states may even deem it as reckless operation). Only my opinion, but the only jobs I would imagine that this would affect would be either those that require driving record checks or those involving cars covered in logos that go in circles .

BTW, some states do allow an expungement of an offense such as this. An attorney should be consulted to find out (usually a one time thing).

[FlyingRon]

Originally Posted by advice_please

1. Will this criminal record come up during background checks? I switch jobs twice a year and there's a background check everytime. So I am really worried about this one.

I think it's a class 3 misdemeanor in AZ. Yes it will show up on your background checks.

When this record does come up do the Companies ignore it since it's a traffic violation or is this considered serious?

Depends on the situation.

2. Does this criminal record stay on the file forever? Is there a way to remove it?

It's forever.

3. California state doesn't charge a criminal offence for speeding at 90 so does this in any way make a case for plea to the judge?

No.

4. Will the judge consider my clean background ? Should I also mention the issues I will have in getting jobs?

Unlikely that this will help.

5. Should I hire an Attorney or should I send a self declaration and ask for reduction to a civil case? Does going thru an Attorney make any difference. I am ready to spend money provided there's a hope.

You need an attorney in Arizona. They can give you your best shot, hopefully getting the charges modified to a summary traffic offense at the least.

Also how do I find out that the Attorney I am engaging with is good? Do I have to engage with the Attorneys local to the area I was charged ticket or can I engage with any Attorney?

I'd start by calling the local bar in the county you were charged in. They usually can give the names a few specializing in what you need (traffic). Call them up and talk to them. Most will give you some free "phone" about what they can do for you.

What are the typical fees for such a case?

Can't venture a guess...expect it to run in four figures though.

[fairisfair]

Flying R is right, speed in excess of 85 miles per hour, or 25 miles over the posted limit is a class 3 misdemeanor in the state of arizona. You are looking at fines, and a possible suspension of your license. You definitely need an AZ attorney.

this site might help with information and links to attorneys.

[url]http://www.dmv.org/az-arizona/traffic-tickets.php[/url]

[trieroffact]

Originally Posted by smblkc

but 25 over is awful fast (some states may even deem it as reckless operation).

Unless you are a NJ State Trooper driving the governor (or just a LEO) and blatantly ignoring all laws you are supposed to uphold - then 90+ mph in a 65 mph zone is the normal travel speed...

OP - speeding tickets are normally quite irrelevant for job purposes - unless you need a cdl license or something... Your inusrance rates are a different matter - you will most likely be raped by your insurance company and it would be a good idea to try and get a lawyer or try to knock down the ticket yourself if possible (reduction, deferment, driving school, etc.)

[smblkc]

Originally Posted by trieroffact

Unless you are a NJ State Trooper driving the governor

Ahhh... it's good to be the king....

[advice_please]

Thanks Guys for your replies.

I have spoken to 2 attorneys in that area and both of them mentioned that the max that can ask for is a reduction. I would be okay if this gets reduced to a civil violation wherein I can attend the traffic school. That's the best option...

The worst ... I think I have to deal with this thru out my life then. FlyingRon - Any idea on expungement ?

Also is there a way to check for reviews on Attorneys ? I have to decide between 2 Attorneys and I am not able to.

Also why do different States treat the speeding differently ? I spoke to 3 of my friends and they all got speeding tickets of 95 - 105 in CA (posted limit 65) and the ticket mentions it as Infraction. It's not a misdemeanor. So why is AZ state classifying 90 mph as Misdemeanor?

Thanks.

[fairisfair]

because different states have different laws. welcome to America.

And by the way, I live in AZ, as do my CHILDREN, and they drive on those same roads that you seem to think it is okay to speed down at 90 mph.

Forgive me if I don't feel a frigging bit sorry for you.

[advice_please]

I fully understand your point. I too was driving with my family and the reason I sped was because I could see 3-4 miles ahead with no cars in vicinity.

Originally Posted by fairisfair

because different states have different laws. welcome to America.

And by the way, I live in AZ, as do my CHILDREN, and they drive on those same roads that you seem to think it is okay to speed down at 90 mph.

Forgive me if I don't feel a frigging bit sorry for you.

[fairisfair]

Originally Posted by advice_please

I fully understand your point. I too was driving with my family and the reason I sped was because I could see 3-4 miles ahead with no cars in vicinity.

sorry, I fail to understand your willingness to gamble with your family's safety either. We are talking about 90 miles an hour here, not 70 or even 80. Who are you Mario Andretti????

[FlyingRon]

Originally Posted by advice_please

The worst ... I think I have to deal with this thru out my life then. FlyingRon - Any idea on expungement ?

There is a thing in AZ called judgement set aside. It's sort of a limitted version of expungment.

[smblkc]

Originally Posted by advice_please

I fully understand your point. I too was driving with my family and the reason I sped was because I could see 3-4 miles ahead with no cars in vicinity.

Statistically speaking, speeding is the number one reason for motor vehicle accidents. They don't always involve multiple cars. Have you ever blown out a tire going 90MPH? The people whom I know who did hadn't much to say about what it was like... considering that they were dead by the time I got there.

Moral of the story... . Alone on the road or not, slow down. Unless you like seeing your kids become missiles.

[advice_please]

I understand the points raised by everyone here. However in California everyone drives at 80+. Infact after I got the ticket I have been driving at 60-65 and I have to drive on the 4th lane now. Cars just speed by me and I get glares also for driving slow. There are some freeways in which cars drive at 90+ on a regular basis. I didn't know that this will have such a big repurcussion and I am terrified to learn all this now.

Any ideas on how to reduce it to the basic civil violation. I am ready to pay extra fine, do social service etc. I just don't want this to be marked as a criminal violation.

Thanks Guys.

Originally Posted by smblkc

Statistically speaking, speeding is the number one reason for motor vehicle accidents. They don't always involve multiple cars. Have you ever blown out a tire going 90MPH? The people whom I know who did hadn't much to say about what it was like... considering that they were dead by the time I got there.

Moral of the story... . Alone on the road or not, slow down. Unless you like seeing your kids become missiles.