A Class 2 Misdemeanor Leaving the Scene of an Accident at El Centro Justice Court carried up to four months jail, restitution exposure, and a permanent hit-and-run misdemeanor on the record. Future First got the case into deferred prosecution diversion. The case dismissed in full upon completion.
At a glance
| Court | El Centro Justice Court |
| Original charge | Leaving the Scene of an Accident / Damage to Attended Vehicle (ARS § 28-662(A)(1)), 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, a two-year arrest record sealing wait under ARS § 13-911, and a permanent hit-and-run misdemeanor on the client’s record that surfaces on every employment, housing, professional licensing, and immigration background screen |
| Result | State agreed to deferred prosecution diversion; $75 intake fee plus $165 diversion class fee; 8-hour misdemeanor diversion education class completed within 90-day deadline; case dismissed in full upon completion; no conviction; no probation; no jail |
| Set aside under ARS § 13-905 | Not needed (no conviction entered) |
| Eligibility for sealing | Approximately 2025 under ARS § 13-911, immediately after dismissal |
The stakes
The client faced a Class 2 Misdemeanor Leaving the Scene of an Accident charge under ARS § 28-662(A)(1) in El Centro Justice Court. A C2M leaving-the-scene 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, a two-year arrest record sealing wait under ARS § 13-911, and a permanent hit-and-run misdemeanor on the client’s record that surfaces on every employment, housing, professional licensing, and immigration background screen.
What we did
Future First negotiated the case into deferred prosecution diversion. The client paid a $75 intake fee and a $165 diversion class fee, completed an 8-hour misdemeanor diversion education class within the 90-day deadline, and the case was dismissed in full upon completion. No conviction entered. No probation. No jail. Set aside under ARS § 13-905 not needed because no conviction was entered. Arrest record sealing under ARS § 13-911 available immediately after dismissal, eligible approximately 2025.
What our clients say
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If you’re facing hit-and-run charges in Arizona
Deferred prosecution diversion programs are available at most municipal courts and justice courts in Arizona on lower-class misdemeanor cases. The structure suspends prosecution during the diversion period, requires completion of an approved education class within a deadline (commonly 90 days), and dismisses the case in full upon successful completion.
Hit-and-run cases specifically benefit from diversion because the alternative is a permanent hit-and-run misdemeanor on the record that surfaces on insurance applications, employment background checks, and licensing reviews. Diversion eliminates that record imprint entirely.
The 8-hour diversion class requirement is the standard time commitment. Class fees plus intake fees run $200 to $300 total. Compared to the fine plus probation costs of a conviction, the diversion fee structure is significantly lower.
Future First Criminal Law has handled hit-and-run cases across Arizona, including rural court jurisdictions like El Centro Justice Court. We know how local justice courts evaluate diversion eligibility on Leaving the Scene cases.
Related resources
- Arizona criminal defense — misdemeanor defense strategy
- Set aside and sealing in Arizona — how to clean up your record
Call us
Facing hit-and-run charges 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.