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A Class 3 Misdemeanor Leave Scene of Accident charge plus a companion civil traffic count at Country Meadows Justice Court could have left the client with a permanent criminal record, jail exposure, and points on the license. Future First closed both counts with no judgment of guilt.
At a glance
| Court | Country Meadows Justice Court |
| Original charges | Leave Scene of Accident (ARS § 28-662(A)(1)), Class 3 Misdemeanor; Unsafe Lane Change (ARS § 28-729.1), civil traffic violation |
| Presumptive exposure | Up to 30 days jail, up to $500 fine plus 78% surcharge, up to 1 year probation, 3 MVD points, permanent criminal record |
| Result | Criminal Leave Scene count dismissed; civil traffic count closed at no responsibility |
| Conviction | None |
| Eligibility for set aside | N/A (no conviction) |
| Eligibility for sealing | Immediate under ARS § 13-911 in 2018 (case ended in dismissal) |
The stakes
The client faced two counts at Country Meadows Justice Court: a Class 3 Misdemeanor Leave Scene of Accident under ARS § 28-662(A)(1) and a companion civil traffic count under ARS § 28-729.1 for Unsafe Lane Change.
Class 3 Misdemeanor Leave Scene carries up to 30 days jail, up to $500 fine plus 78% surcharge, up to 1 year probation, 3 MVD points, and a permanent criminal record affecting employment, housing, and professional licensing. Leave Scene convictions also draw attention from insurance underwriters and can trigger policy non-renewal at the next term.
What we did
After Future First negotiated with the State and pressed the case, the court found the client not responsible on the civil traffic count and entered an order dismissing the criminal Leave Scene count.
Both counts ended with no judgment of guilt and no fines imposed. The client avoided a permanent criminal record on the Leave Scene charge. Under ARS § 13-911, the arrest record is eligible for sealing immediately upon dismissal in 2018.
What our clients say
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If you’re facing a Leave Scene charge in Arizona
Arizona’s Leave Scene of Accident statutes (ARS §§ 28-661 through 28-665) cover a range of conduct from failure to exchange information to fleeing the scene of an accident involving injury or death. Class 3 Misdemeanor Leave Scene under § 28-662 is the property-damage tier. Class 5 and Class 3 felony tiers under § 28-661 apply when the accident involves injury, serious physical injury, or death.
The first 30 days after a Leave Scene citation matter more than almost anything else. Police body cam, witness statements, and damage documentation tend to be available early. Defense work in that window, pressing on identification, intent, and whether the driver actually knew about the contact, can shift the case before the prosecutor commits to a hard filing position.
Future First Criminal Law has handled Leave Scene cases at every tier across Arizona. We know how Justice Courts and Municipal Courts handle these charges differently. And we know how to use proof gaps to push for dismissal instead of a conviction.
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 Leave Scene charge in Arizona? Call Future First Criminal Law at 602-900-7625 or request a free consultation. We have handled hundreds of traffic-related misdemeanors at every tier 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 Leave Scene law, visit the Arizona State Legislature website.