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A Class 3 Misdemeanor Criminal Speeding charge at Phoenix Municipal Court hit the Defensive Driving Program deadline before the client completed the course. Future First pushed the court to grant an extension, the client finished DDP, and the charge was dismissed.
At a glance
| Court | Phoenix Municipal Court |
| Original charge | Criminal Speeding (ARS § 28-701.02(A)(2)), Class 3 Misdemeanor (school zone speed) |
| Presumptive exposure | Up to 30 days jail, $500 fine plus surcharges, criminal conviction on driving record, points, possible license consequences |
| Initial obstacle | Initial DDP deadline passed before client completed the program |
| Result | Future First secured DDP extension; client completed program in 2022; charge dismissed with no criminal conviction |
| Conviction | None |
| Eligibility for sealing | Immediate under ARS § 13-911 in 2022 (case ended in dismissal) |
The stakes
The client faced a Class 3 Misdemeanor charge of criminal speeding in Phoenix after a traffic stop in 2021. The State alleged the client drove more than 20 mph over the posted limit. A conviction carried up to 30 days in jail, a $500 fine plus surcharges, and a permanent criminal record tied to the client’s driving history.
The case headed into Defensive Driving Program diversion. Then the initial completion deadline passed before the client finished the program. With the deadline missed, the case faced reactivation as a standard criminal traffic prosecution.
What we did
Future First pushed the court to grant a Defensive Driving Program extension after the initial deadline passed. The court granted the extension and gave the client until 2022 to complete the program.
The client finished the DDP class and the charge was dismissed. No conviction. No jail. No probation. Under ARS § 13-911 the arrest record from the dismissed charge is eligible for sealing immediately.
What our clients say
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If you missed a DDP or DDS deadline in Arizona
The Defensive Driving Program and Defensive Driving School diversion tracks both come with completion deadlines set by the court at the time of approval. Missing the deadline can reactivate the criminal traffic case for standard prosecution. Many drivers do not realize the deadline is a hard cutoff until the State or the court moves to reset the case.
Extension motions are the path back when a deadline is missed. The motion has to explain the circumstances that caused the delay and request additional time to complete the program. Courts have discretion to grant or deny. When the defense lays out a credible reason for the delay (scheduling conflicts, family emergencies, work obligations, program availability problems), the extension is often granted.
Once the extension is granted and the client completes the program, the case proceeds to dismissal as it would have under the original schedule. The criminal conviction is avoided.
Future First Criminal Law has handled DDP and DDS extension motions across Maricopa County and Arizona. We know how Phoenix Municipal Court and other municipal courts evaluate extension requests, and how to keep the case on the diversion track even when the original deadline slips.
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 or missed DDP/DDS deadline 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.