A Class 2 Misdemeanor Reckless Driving at East Mesa Justice Court carried up to four months jail, supervised probation up to two years, an 8-point MVD violation flag, and a permanent reckless-driving misdemeanor on the record. Future First got the Reckless Driving count dismissed and resolved the case to a single lower C3M Criminal Speeding count with the fine paid in full.
At a glance
| Court | East Mesa Justice Court |
| Original charge | Reckless Driving (ARS § 28-693(A)), Class 2 Misdemeanor |
| Presumptive exposure | Up to four months jail under ARS § 13-707, a fine up to $750 plus 84 percent surcharges, supervised probation up to two years, mandatory MVD points and an 8-point violation flag, significant insurance rate increases, a two-year arrest record sealing wait under ARS § 13-911, and a permanent reckless-driving misdemeanor on the record that surfaces on every employment, housing, professional licensing, and immigration background screen |
| Result | State dismissed the Reckless Driving count; client pled to a single Class 3 Misdemeanor Criminal Speeding count under ARS § 28-701.02(A)(3); $351.50 fine paid in full; no jail; no probation |
| Eligibility for set aside | Immediately upon fine payment under ARS § 13-905 |
| Eligibility for sealing | Approximately 2026 under ARS § 13-911, one year after C3M punishment completion, with the public-record imprint dropped from Reckless Driving to Criminal Speeding |
The stakes
The client faced a Class 2 Misdemeanor Reckless Driving charge under ARS § 28-693(A) in East Mesa Justice Court. A C2M Reckless Driving conviction would have meant up to four months jail under ARS § 13-707, a fine up to $750 plus 84 percent surcharges, supervised probation up to two years, mandatory MVD points and an 8-point violation flag, significant insurance rate increases, a two-year arrest record sealing wait under ARS § 13-911, and a permanent reckless-driving misdemeanor on the record that surfaces on every employment, housing, professional licensing, and immigration background screen.
What we did
Future First negotiated the case down by getting the Reckless Driving count dismissed and the client pled to a single Class 3 Misdemeanor Criminal Speeding count under ARS § 28-701.02(A)(3). The client paid a $351.50 fine in full. No jail. No probation. Set aside under ARS § 13-905 available immediately upon fine payment. Arrest record sealing under ARS § 13-911 eligible approximately 2026, one year after C3M punishment completion, with the public-record imprint dropped from Reckless Driving to Criminal Speeding.
What our clients say
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If you’re facing Reckless Driving in Arizona
The Reckless Driving conviction carries a two-year arrest record sealing wait under ARS § 13-911 measured from sentence completion. A C3M Criminal Speeding plea instead carries a one-year sealing wait. The reduction pulls the sealing eligibility forward by a full year, which means the record can be cleaned up faster after the case closes.
Paying the fine in full at sentencing rather than on a payment plan eliminates the open obligation and unlocks the set aside under ARS § 13-905 immediately upon payment. Some courts and prosecutors view full payment as a mitigating signal at sentencing.
Future First Criminal Law has handled Reckless Driving cases across Maricopa County and Arizona. We know how East Mesa Justice Court evaluates Reckless Driving plea-down negotiations.
Related resources
- Arizona criminal defense — misdemeanor defense strategy
- Set aside and sealing in Arizona — how to clean up your record
Call us
Facing Reckless Driving in Arizona? Call Future First Criminal Law at 602-932-7890 or request a free consultation. We have handled hundreds of Arizona criminal traffic cases. 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 law, visit the Arizona State Legislature website.