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A Class 1 Misdemeanor Hit and Run charge at Tempe City Court carried 180 days of jail exposure and a 3-year probation tail. Future First negotiated the charge down to a Class 2 Misdemeanor, dismissed the companion civil traffic count, and closed the case with no jail and no probation.
At a glance
| Court | Tempe City Court |
| Original charges | Failure to Remain at Scene of Accident (ARS § 28-662(A)(1) and (A)(2)), Class 1 Misdemeanor; companion Speed Greater Than Reasonable (ARS § 28-701(A)), civil traffic violation |
| Presumptive exposure (C1M Hit and Run) | Up to 180 days jail, up to $2,500 fine plus 78% surcharge, up to 3 years probation, MVD points, permanent criminal record |
| Result | State amended Hit and Run down to Class 2 Misdemeanor and dismissed the companion civil traffic Speed count; client pled to C2M Hit and Run with approximately $1,000 in fines, no jail, no probation |
| Eligibility for set aside | Approximately 2023 under ARS § 13-905 |
| Eligibility for sealing | Approximately 2025 under ARS § 13-911, two years after sentence completion under the Class 2 Misdemeanor wait |
The stakes
The client faced a Hit and Run charge under ARS § 28-662(A)(1) and (A)(2) at Tempe City Court, plus a companion civil traffic count for Speed Greater Than Reasonable under ARS § 28-701(A). A Class 1 Misdemeanor Hit and Run conviction in Arizona carries up to 180 days jail, up to $2,500 fine plus surcharges, up to 3 years probation, MVD points, and a permanent criminal record affecting employment, housing, and licensing.
What we did
After Future First negotiated the plea and pressed the State on the case, the State amended the Hit and Run charge down to a Class 2 Misdemeanor and dismissed the companion civil traffic Speed count. The client pled to the C2M Hit and Run with approximately $1,000 in fines, no jail, and no probation imposed.
Set aside under ARS § 13-905 is eligible approximately 2023. Sealing records under ARS § 13-911 is eligible approximately 2025, two years after sentence completion under the Class 2 Misdemeanor wait.
What our clients say
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If you’re facing a Hit and Run charge in Arizona
Arizona’s Hit and Run statutes (ARS §§ 28-661 through 28-665) cover a range of conduct from failure to exchange information after a property-only crash to fleeing a scene involving injury or death. Class 1 Misdemeanor Hit and Run under § 28-662 applies to property-damage scenarios with no injuries. Felony tiers under § 28-661 attach when the accident involves injury, serious physical injury, or death.
Reducing a Class 1 Misdemeanor Hit and Run to a Class 2 Misdemeanor matters in three places: the jail exposure cap drops from 180 days to 4 months, the fine ceiling drops from $2,500 to $750, and the sealing wait shortens from 3 years to 2 years. The conviction stays on the record, but at a lower tier.
Future First Criminal Law has handled Hit and Run cases at every tier across Maricopa County and Arizona. We know how Tempe City Court and other municipal courts evaluate charge reduction requests, and how to position a case for a one-class drop.
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 Hit and Run conviction
Call us
Facing a Hit and Run charge 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 Hit and Run law, visit the Arizona State Legislature website.