A Class 1 Misdemeanor Failure to Remain at the Scene of an Accident at Tempe Municipal Court carried up to 180 days jail, probation up to three years, a three-year sealing wait, and a permanent hit-and-run misdemeanor on the record. Future First reduced the charge one class down to C2M Failure to Provide Information with no jail and no probation.
At a glance
| Court | Tempe Municipal Court |
| Original charges | Failure to Remain at Scene of Accident / Damage to Attended Vehicle (ARS § 28-662(A)(1)), Class 1 Misdemeanor; Speed Greater than Reasonable and Prudent (ARS § 28-701(A)), civil traffic violation |
| Presumptive exposure | Up to 180 days of jail under ARS § 13-707, a fine up to $2,500 plus 84 percent surcharges, probation up to three years, a three-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 amended lead charge one class down from Class 1 Misdemeanor Failure to Remain at Scene to Class 2 Misdemeanor Failure to Provide Information under ARS § 28-662(A)(2); civil speeding violation resolved; $710 fines; no probation; no jail |
| Eligibility for set aside | Immediately upon fine payment under ARS § 13-905 (no probation terms to complete) |
| Eligibility for sealing | Approximately 2027 under ARS § 13-911, two years after C2M punishment completion (one year sooner than at the original C1M class) |
The stakes
The client faced a Class 1 Misdemeanor Failure to Remain at the Scene of an Accident charge under ARS § 28-662(A)(1) plus a civil speeding violation in Tempe Municipal Court. A C1M hit-and-run conviction would have meant up to 180 days of jail under ARS § 13-707, a fine up to $2,500 plus 84 percent surcharges, probation up to three years, a three-year arrest record sealing wait under ARS § 13-911, and a permanent hit-and-run misdemeanor on the client’s record that surfaces on employment, professional licensing, immigration, and background screens.
What we did
Future First negotiated the case down from a Class 1 Misdemeanor Failure to Remain at the Scene of an Accident to a Class 2 Misdemeanor Failure to Provide Information under ARS § 28-662(A)(2). The civil speeding violation was resolved. The client paid $710 in fines, no probation was ordered, and no jail was imposed. Set aside under ARS § 13-905 available immediately upon fine payment with no probation terms to complete. Arrest record sealing under ARS § 13-911 eligible approximately 2027, two years after C2M punishment completion, one year sooner than at the original C1M class.
What our clients say
Future First Criminal Law has earned hundreds of five-star reviews from clients across Arizona. Read our verified Google reviews or see what past clients have said on our client reviews page.
If you’re facing hit-and-run charges in Arizona
The one-class reduction from C1M Failure to Remain at Scene to C2M Failure to Provide Information shifts the offense category from a true hit-and-run to a paperwork-failure category. The substitute charge under § 28-662(A)(2) captures the failure to exchange driver and vehicle information rather than the failure to remain at the scene. The record imprint reads less severely on background checks.
The C1M-to-C2M reduction also cuts the sealing wait from three years to two and drops the maximum jail exposure from 180 days to 120 days. Both effects compound the long-term cleanup benefit of the reduction.
Future First Criminal Law has handled hit-and-run cases across Maricopa County and Arizona. We know how Tempe Municipal Court evaluates one-class reduction requests 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.