A Scottsdale suspended license case stacked two criminal misdemeanors and three civil citations against the client. Future First got the second criminal charge and all three civil citations dismissed. The case resolved to a single misdemeanor with a fine, no jail, and no probation.
At a glance
| Court | Scottsdale City Court |
| Original charge | Driving on a Suspended License (ARS § 28-3473(A)), Class 1 Misdemeanor |
| Exposure | Up to 6 months in jail, a fine up to $2,500 plus surcharge, up to three years of probation, plus a second criminal failure-to-appear count and three civil citations |
| Result | Failure-to-appear count and all three civil citations dismissed, guilty plea to a single suspended license count, $298.60 fine, no jail, no probation |
| Set aside | Eligible under ARS § 13-905 after completing all court requirements |
| Sealing | Eligible under ARS § 13-911 approximately 2029 |
The stakes
The client faced a Scottsdale suspended license charge under ARS § 28-3473(A), a Class 1 misdemeanor. That count alone carries up to 6 months in jail, a fine up to $2,500 plus surcharge, and up to three years of probation. A conviction also creates a permanent criminal record.
The case did not stop at one charge. The State added a second criminal count for failure to appear under ARS § 13-2506(A)(2), another Class 1 misdemeanor, plus three civil citations for failing to stop at a stop sign, no vehicle registration, and no proof of insurance. A failure-to-appear conviction is its own criminal mark, and the no-insurance citation carried a fine and a risk of further license action. Stacked together, the counts threatened two separate criminal convictions and a pile of civil penalties.
What we did
Future First worked the case down to a single count. After Future First reviewed the report and pushed the case, the State dismissed the criminal failure-to-appear count and all three civil citations. The client pleaded guilty to one count of driving on a suspended license, paid a $298.60 fine, and received no jail and no probation.
The result kept a second criminal conviction off the record and cleared the civil exposure. A Scottsdale suspended license case that started with two criminal misdemeanors and three civil citations ended as a single misdemeanor with a fine only.
What our clients say
See verified reviews from Future First clients:
If you are facing a suspended license charge in Arizona
Driving on a suspended license under ARS § 28-3473 is a crime in Arizona, not a ticket. It is a Class 1 misdemeanor, the most serious misdemeanor class. Many drivers do not know their license is suspended until an officer runs it at a stop, which is exactly how these cases start.
The defense often turns on notice and knowledge. The State has to prove the driver knew or should have known about the suspension. When the suspension traces to an unpaid fine or an insurance lapse on a payment plan, there is room to challenge the knowledge element and to push for a reduction or a dismissal. Companion counts like failure to appear and civil traffic citations can frequently be negotiated away as part of a single resolution.
The sooner a defense lawyer reviews the citation and the Motor Vehicle Division record, the more room there is to keep the case to one count and to protect the record.
Related resources
Call us
Facing a suspended license charge in Arizona? Call Future First Criminal Law at 602-932-7890 or request a free consultation. We work to dismiss companion charges and keep your case to a single count.
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.