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A Class 3 Misdemeanor Criminal Speeding charge for exceeding the posted limit by more than 20 mph at West Mesa Justice Court could have produced a permanent criminal record. Future First got the criminal charge amended all the way down to a civil traffic violation.
At a glance
| Court | West Mesa Justice Court |
| Original charge | Criminal Speeding (ARS § 28-701.02(A)(3)), Class 3 Misdemeanor (exceeding posted speed by more than 20 mph in a business or residential district) |
| Presumptive exposure | Up to 30 days jail, up to $500 fine plus 78% surcharge, 3 MVD points, permanent criminal record |
| Result | Charge amended down to a civil traffic violation with no criminal conviction entered |
| Conviction | None (civil traffic plea only) |
| Eligibility for set aside | N/A (no criminal conviction) |
| Eligibility for sealing | Immediate under ARS § 13-911 on the criminal arrest record |
The stakes
The client faced a Class 3 Misdemeanor Criminal Speeding charge under ARS § 28-701.02(A)(3) at West Mesa Justice Court. Subsection (A)(3) covers exceeding the posted speed limit by more than 20 mph in a business or residential district.
Criminal Speeding in Arizona carries up to 30 days jail, up to $500 fine plus surcharges, 3 MVD points, a permanent criminal conviction, and potential insurance and licensing consequences. Unlike civil speeding, a Class 3 Misdemeanor Criminal Speeding conviction sits on the criminal record permanently and shows up on every standard background check.
What we did
After Future First negotiated with the State and pressed the case, the State amended the Criminal Speeding charge down to a civil traffic violation. The client took the civil traffic plea with no criminal conviction entered.
No jail. No probation. No criminal record. The client paid the civil traffic fine and walked out without a criminal misdemeanor on the record. Under ARS § 13-911, the arrest record is eligible for sealing immediately, and no set aside is needed because no criminal conviction was entered.
What our clients say
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If you’re facing a Criminal Speeding charge in Arizona
Arizona’s Criminal Speeding statute (ARS § 28-701.02) treats certain speed violations as criminal misdemeanors rather than civil traffic infractions. Subsection (A)(1) covers speed over 35 mph in a school zone. Subsection (A)(2) covers speed in excess of 85 mph anywhere. Subsection (A)(3) covers speed over 20 mph above the posted limit in a business or residential district. Any one of those subsections triggers a Class 3 Misdemeanor with the same maximum penalties.
Reducing a Criminal Speeding charge to a civil traffic violation is the strongest outcome available short of outright dismissal. A civil plea closes the case without any criminal conviction, points exposure is contained, and the arrest record is sealable immediately. Getting there requires the right negotiation framing with the prosecutor and, often, a clean prior driving history to support the deviation.
Future First Criminal Law has handled Criminal Speeding cases across Maricopa County and Arizona. We know which courts and prosecutors are open to civil-traffic reductions, and how to position a case so the State agrees to one.
Related resources
- Arizona criminal defense — full overview of how we handle misdemeanor and felony charges
- Set aside and sealing in Arizona — how to clean up your record after a dismissal or conviction
Call us
Facing a Criminal Speeding charge in Arizona? Call Future First Criminal Law at 602-900-7625 or request a free consultation. We have handled hundreds of traffic-related criminal charges across Arizona. The earlier we are involved, the more options you have.
Anonymized in line with firm policy. Client name not used. Specific dates approximated to year only. Outcome described reflects this client’s actual results. Past outcomes do not guarantee future results. For more detailed information on Arizona Criminal Speeding law, visit the Arizona State Legislature website.