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A Class 3 Misdemeanor Criminal Speeding charge in El Mirage City Court could have produced a permanent criminal conviction, jail exposure, and license points. Future First got the criminal charge amended all the way down to a civil traffic violation.
At a glance
| Court | El Mirage City Court |
| Original charge | Criminal Speeding (ARS § 28-701.02), Class 3 Misdemeanor |
| 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 at El Mirage City Court. 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. For drivers in jobs that require a clean record (commercial driving, professional licensing, employer-required background screens), a Criminal Speeding conviction can produce real downstream consequences.
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 plea with no criminal conviction entered.
No jail. No probation. No criminal 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
Future First Criminal Law has earned hundreds of five-star reviews from clients across Arizona. Read our verified Google reviews or see what past clients have said on our client reviews page.
If you’re facing a Criminal Speeding charge in Arizona
Arizona’s Criminal Speeding statute (ARS § 28-701.02) turns a routine traffic stop into a permanent criminal record more often than most drivers expect. The statute applies in three situations: speed over 35 mph in a school zone, speed over 20 mph above the posted limit in a business or residential district, or any speed in excess of 85 mph anywhere. First-time offenders often discover the citation is criminal, not civil, only at the first court appearance.
Reducing a Criminal Speeding charge to a civil traffic violation is one of the strongest outcomes 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.