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What Is Considered Reckless Driving In Arizona?

Reckless Driving In Arizona: Everything You Need To Know

Reckless driving is a charge that can result in some major consequences in the state of Arizona. Some of the consequences include jail time, steep fines, probation, and loss of your driver’s license. You may also face secondary consequences, such as significantly increased insurance premiums, social and relational challenges, and the potential to lose your job along with the financial security it provides. If someone has been injured as a result of your reckless driving, you’ll also have to live with that burden for the rest of your life.

If you’ve been arrested or charged with reckless driving in Arizona, contact an experienced Glendale criminal defense attorney right away who can help you with your case. You are not automatically guilty or convicted of a crime just because you have been arrested, but timely legal counsel is crucial.

Woman Reckless Driving In Arizona

What is Reckless Driving in Arizona?

Reckless driving is technically a Class 2 misdemeanor offense in Arizona, but it is considered to be a more serious crime than many other misdemeanor offenses. According to Arizona state statutes, “a person who drives a vehicle in reckless disregard for the safety of persons or property is guilty of reckless driving.”

Some examples of reckless driving include:

Driving your vehicle at an extremely fast speed that is well over the speed limit
Cutting off other drivers
Swerving between lanes
Running stop lights or stop signs
Failing to stop at pedestrian walkways
Driving closely to another vehicle in order to intimidate the driver
Tailgating or following too closely
Driving in the opposing lane of traffic
Driving dangerously fast for current weather or traffic conditions

If you’ve been arrested for allegedly committing any of these actions, contact your Mesa criminal defense law firm immediately for legal advice and guidance.

What are the Penalties for Reckless Driving?

As with many other crimes, the penalties for reckless driving will depend on whether you’ve been convicted of the charge previously. The consequences will be much more severe for subsequent offenses within the last 24 months.

First Reckless Driving Offense

A person who is convicted of a first-time reckless driving offense will be guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor. They will face the following penalties and consequences:

Up to 4 months in jail.
Up to $750 in fines, plus court fees
Suspension of your driver’s license for up to 90 days

Second Reckless Driving Offense

A person who is convicted of a second reckless driving offense will be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor, which is more serious than a Class 2. It’s important to realize that some related convictions, such as a DUI, may be considered a prior conviction. A driver convicted of a second reckless driving offense will face the following penalties:

Up to 6 months in jail
Up to $2500 in fines, plus court fees
Mandatory license suspension of up to one year

Additionally, convicted drivers may be required to attend a driving school before their driver’s license can be reinstated. If a person loses the ability to legally drive, they may also lose their job or face difficulty earning an income.

Special Jail Circumstances for Education or Employment

If your East Valley criminal defense lawyer can provide evidence to the court that you are employed or a student, the court may, at their discretion, allow you the freedom to come and go from jail at certain times of the day or week. You may be allowed to continue working at your job or attending school for up to 12 hours per day for not more than 5 days per week. The remainder of your time would be spent serving your jail sentence.

Although the paperwork for this type of special permission can be complicated and there will be additional requirements for you to meet during this time, a Glendale criminal defense lawyer can help protect your rights and help you provide for your future. Don’t try to face a reckless driving charge alone! An experienced attorney will provide legal guidance, represent you in court, and work to minimize your conviction and penalties. In some cases, your case can be thrown out.

Consult with a Trusted Reckless Driving Attorney

You may be wondering what you should look for in a criminal defense attorney after a reckless driving arrest in Arizona. If you want to retain your own attorney, you should look for one with specific criminal defense experience in your area. Some attorneys don’t specialize in criminal defense, but will take a case for the paycheck. They also won’t have working relationships with prosecution like private defenders do. You’ll want an attorney who can negotiate for a plea bargain but is just as prepared to go to trial. You should also look for firms that offer appointments that work with your schedule and free consultations to get started.

If you’ve been arrested for reckless driving, consult the trusted attorneys at My AZ Lawyers. Our extensive experience and legal knowledge give us the edge you need for successful and effective representation against criminal charges such as reckless driving. Don’t delay; contact us as soon as possible after an arrest or charge. We offer affordable payment plans and can provide same-day consultations. Contact our office today!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a “wet reckless?”

A wet reckless is the informal term for a reckless driving charge that has been pled down from DUI or OUI charges. Sometimes, if the evidence against a defendant in a DUI case isn’t the strongest, the defendant will have the opportunity to plead guilty to reckless driving instead. This can help the defendant avoid mandatory jail time and other unfavorable penalties that come with a DUI conviction in Arizona.

How can someone aid and abet a defendant in reckless driving?

Someone can be charged as an accessory to reckless driving if they aid and abet the driver in their conduct. If a passenger is engaging other drivers, throwing objects out the window, etc., they could be found an accessory to reckless driving and face penalties along with the driver.

What types of evidence are relevant in reckless driving cases?

The defendant should review the police reports and officer notes to find inconsistencies and details like road and weather conditions, and the driving behavior the officer considered to be reckless. Video evidence, such as surveillance or body camera footage can be useful in a reckless driving case. So can speed measurement records, especially if the charge was based on the driver’s unreasonable speed.

How many points will a reckless driving conviction add to my driving record?

In Arizona, reckless driving is worth 8 points on the driver’s record, the same amount as a DUI. Accumulating 8 points or more in a 12-month period means having to attend Traffic Survival School, or TSS. Here, if the driver fails to complete TSS, their license will be suspended for 12 months.

Will a reckless driving conviction raise my auto insurance rates?

Yes. A driver convicted of reckless driving will need SR-22, or high-risk auto insurance coverage, to maintain their driving privileges. While it won’t cost as much as SR-22 coverage after a DUI conviction, the defendant can still expect a significant increase in their premiums.