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A Criminal Speeding charge at University Lakes Justice Court could have produced a permanent criminal record affecting insurance across state lines for a non-resident driver. Future First built a discovery record showing the citation, the narrative, and the ticket did not line up. The court allowed DDS, the client completed, and the case dismissed.
At a glance
| Court | University Lakes Justice Court |
| Original charge | Criminal Speeding (ARS § 28-701.02(A)(3)), Class 3 Misdemeanor |
| Presumptive exposure | Up to 30 days jail under ARS § 13-707, fines up to $500 plus surcharges, probation eligibility, permanent criminal conviction, points on the driving record, insurance and licensing consequences across state lines |
| Discovery problems exposed | Mismatched citation numbers between officer narrative and the State’s complaint file; conflicting vehicle descriptions between the narrative and the citation; radar speed in narrative differed from the speed listed on the ticket |
| Result | Court allowed Defensive Driving School; client completed; criminal speeding charge dismissed in 2022 |
| Conviction | None |
| Eligibility for sealing | Immediate under ARS § 13-911 in 2022 (case ended in dismissal) |
The stakes
The client was stopped in 2021 for alleged speeding and charged with Criminal Speeding under ARS § 28-701.02(A)(3), a Class 3 Misdemeanor. A conviction would have meant a permanent criminal record, fines up to $500 plus surcharges, up to 30 days jail exposure under ARS § 13-707, probation eligibility, and points on the driving record. For a non-resident driver, the conviction also threatened insurance and license consequences across state lines.
The State’s case had several documentation issues: the officer narrative referenced a different vehicle than the one the client drove, the citation number on the narrative did not match the complaint number in the State’s file, and the radar speed in the narrative differed from the speed listed on the ticket.
What we did
After Future First filed a Notice of Appearance, requested full discovery, and built a record showing the State’s narrative did not line up with the citation, the ticket, or the vehicle on scene, the firm pressed for resolution through Defensive Driving School.
The court allowed DDS, the client completed the course in 2022, and the criminal speeding charge was dismissed with no criminal conviction entered. The client avoided jail exposure, probation, fines, and a permanent criminal record. Because no conviction was entered, set aside under ARS § 13-905 does not apply. The client is eligible to seal the arrest record under ARS § 13-911 starting in 2022.
What our clients say
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If you’re facing a Criminal Speeding charge in Arizona
Discovery work is the underused defense lever in most Criminal Speeding cases. Many drivers (and many defense lawyers) assume the case turns entirely on the alleged speed. The reality is that the State has to produce a complete and consistent file, including the officer narrative, the citation, the ticket, and any radar or LIDAR documentation. Inconsistencies between any of those documents can become leverage for negotiation or a Motion to Dismiss.
Common inconsistencies include: a citation number on the narrative that does not match the complaint number, a vehicle description in the narrative that does not match the make/model of the client’s car, a radar reading in the narrative that differs from the speed on the ticket, or location coordinates that put the alleged offense outside the court’s jurisdiction. Any one of those can support a Motion to Dismiss or push the prosecutor toward DDS as a path of least resistance.
Non-resident drivers facing Criminal Speeding in Arizona carry an extra layer of exposure. A criminal conviction crosses state lines through the Driver License Compact and shows up on background checks in the driver’s home state. Avoiding the criminal conviction matters even more for out-of-state drivers because the downstream insurance and licensing impact is broader.
Future First Criminal Law has handled Criminal Speeding cases across Maricopa County, the surrounding counties, and broader Arizona. We know how University Lakes Justice Court and other justice courts evaluate discovery-based DDS motions, and how to build the inconsistency record that moves the case toward dismissal.
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 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 for discovery challenges and DDS dismissal.
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.