Criminal Speeding Attorney in Mesa, AZ

Aggressive Advocacy to Help Clients Avoid Overzealous Prosecutions

In a perfect world, everyone would feel safer when they encountered a police officer. Unfortunately, seeing flashing blue lights in our rearview mirrors more frequently results in a feeling of dread. If the officer says you were driving in excess of the posted speed limit, you might expect a simple traffic ticket. Unfortunately, you could find yourself facing misdemeanor charges in some instances due to the severity of Arizona law. If the government opts to handle what should be a traffic citation as a crime, speaking to a criminal speeding lawyer in Mesa, AZ is likely in your best interest.

At The Turner Law Firm, PLLC, you’ll work directly with a team of experienced attorneys that’s focused on helping you avoid a criminal record. Many people don’t realize that speeding can be treated as much more than a simple traffic crime in Arizona. In fact, individuals facing criminal speeding allegations could find themselves sitting in jail. Unfortunately, there are also long-term consequences that could follow you after you’ve “served your time.” This is why you need a dedicated legal team on your side that won’t stop fighting to secure a favorable outcome on your behalf.

That’s what you’ll find at our law firm. Contact our offices to learn how a Mesa criminal speeding attorney can help you avoid life-changing consequences.

Is Excessive Speeding a Criminal Charge in Arizona?

Most Mesa traffic lawyers who defend clients accused of speeding aren’t actually protecting them from criminal charges. In most instances, when someone is charged with driving in excess of the speed limit, they’re only facing a civil traffic violation. If convicted, the penalties can be disruptive, such as fines, traffic school, and points on their driving record. However, criminal speeding is much more serious. Under Arizona criminal law, this charge is a misdemeanor that can result in a criminal record. Certain elements make this more serious than your typical excessive speeding charge:

Driving faster than 35 mph in a school zone
Going more than 20 mph above posted speed limits in residential and business areas
Driving above 85 mph anywhere in the state

If a police officer claims any of these elements existed at the time of your traffic stop, you need aggressive representation if you’re hoping to avoid the worst potential penalties. Anyone charged with criminal speeding faces extreme consequences that can disrupt their lives now and in the future. You need a dedicated legal advocate on your side who will fight to make the prosecutor dismiss charges, and if this isn’t possible, we can fight for an acquittal at trial or negotiate a fair plea deal on your behalf. Every case is different, so let us review your situation and help you figure out all your options.

Will a Criminal Speeding Ticket Lead to Arrest in Arizona?

Criminal speeding cases can vary significantly between individuals. Like any other criminal charge, the underlying circumstances of a case will dictate how things play out. However, many people are surprised to learn that a criminal speeding charge can result in arrest. In fact, it’s a certainty. However, this does not necessarily mean you’ll be detained. Technically speaking, you’re “under arrest” the moment you receive a criminal speeding traffic ticket. These tickets are usually “cite and release,” so you’ll be able to leave the scene and have to later attend your court dates.

Unfortunately, not everyone is so lucky. There are times when Mesa, Arizona police officers will place individuals under arrest and detain them for criminal speeding. Here’s what you need to know about when this is likely to occur:

Excessive speeding (i.e., well beyond the speed limit or in dangerous conditions)
Other violations, such as when you might need a reckless driving or DUI defense lawyer
Failure to cooperate (e.g., refusal to identify oneself, failure to comply)

If it seems like some of these factors would involve officer discretion, that’s because they often do. Police have a tremendous amount of discretion over whether to detain an individual and take them to jail. Whether you are detained by police or not, these charges mean you have a criminal case against you. Therefore, it is imperative for you to understand your legal rights and your options for a defense. These criminal traffic charges are taken seriously in Arizona, and this is true even if it’s your first time being charged with criminal violations.

With so much at stake, it’s advisable to seek legal representation if you hope to secure a favorable outcome. At The Turner Law Firm, our criminal speeding attorneys in Mesa will fight aggressively to help you avoid detrimental outcomes. Contact us today to schedule your confidential consultation.

What Are the Penalties for a Criminal Speeding Conviction?

Individuals who get a civil traffic ticket will face fines, defensive driving school, and driver’s license points. Those who are convicted of criminal speeding will face the same potential penalties — along with a few more serious consequences. In addition to the potential for increased fines, the defendant may also be on the hook for court fees and a fine surcharge. Additional points are also added to the person’s driving record, and this likely means increased insurance premiums going forward. If convicted, a jail sentence of up to one month and a year of probation is also possible.

As a criminal offense, defendants can face other outcomes — such as community service as part of their probation — but the real catastrophic penalty is jail time. Can you imagine what it would do to a person to be removed from their life for an entire month? No ability to work, meet your obligations, or spend time with loved ones. This is why it’s so important to work with a Mesa, AZ criminal speeding lawyer. Even if a conviction is unavoidable, it may be possible to reduce charges so that a single mistake doesn’t result in a criminal record.

This is more than a motor vehicle violation, and it must be treated as such. Contact our law firm to discuss your case with an experienced criminal defense attorney today.

Should You Just Accept a Plea Bargain and Move On?

Many people charged with a criminal speeding ticket opt to accept a plea bargain. In fact, this is how the overwhelming majority of criminal charges are resolved in our system. When potential clients visit our law office, the prospect of accepting a plea deal is often one of the first things they bring up. Perhaps they spoke to someone who told them that pleading guilty would help them avoid the most serious penalties and just move on with their life. In some instances, this information comes from a cellmate after an arrest — but it’s often the prosecutor who introduces this idea.

While it’s true that plea negotiations often result in lesser penalties than a conviction at trial, this doesn’t mean that a plea deal is in your best interest. The reality is that every prosecutor in America has likely engaged in overcharging defendants to use reduced charges as a bargaining chip. However, there’s a chance that the government doesn’t have enough evidence to prove criminal speeding — and even if they do, mistakes on the part of authorities could make this evidence inadmissible in court. Even if you believe conviction is unavoidable, a Mesa criminal speeding attorney might be able to help.

If a conviction truly is imminent, it doesn’t mean you have to face the full consequences of a criminal speeding ticket. Your attorney may be able to have charges reduced to a civil violation. When this isn’t possible, they might be able to negotiate more favorable sentencing terms on your behalf. To put it simply, accepting the first plea deal that prosecutors dangle in front of you is often a bad idea. Discuss your criminal speeding charge with an experienced attorney before making any decisions. Contact our law office today to get started.

What Legal Defense Strategies Are Available for Criminal Speeding?

When you discuss your case with a criminal speeding ticket attorney, things can play out a few ways. If you opt to use the court-appointed public defender, you might be advised that accepting a plea deal is the right way to go. Unfortunately, these public servants often do not have time to review cases to the extent that they deserve. Statistics show that public defenders have average caseloads that are three times higher than average. Even worse, the process of recoupment or charging fees for public defenders is becoming more common — so your “free” legal defense may not truly be free.

If you work with a private practice criminal speeding lawyer in Mesa, you’re more likely to have a conversation about potential legal strategies. During this conversation, you might discuss one or more of the following defense arguments:

Faulty or improperly calibrated radar or lidar devices
Officer not adequately trained to use the device
Potential environmental interference (e.g., terrain, weather, traffic) interfering with an accurate reading
The officer failed to follow protocol
Errors in the citation
Violation of constitutional rights
Insufficient proof of speeding
Mistaken identity
Improper zone classifications
Missing, damaged, or other problems with signage

If you’re facing criminal speeding charges in Arizona, it’s important to remember that a conviction is not always unavoidable. With the right legal defense, it’s possible to have charges reduced or dismissed — or a jury might even acquit you at trial. However, do not fall into the trap of thinking these defense strategies are “one size fits all.” If you opt to choose one of these legal defenses at random, there’s a high probability that it will be irrelevant to your case. This will likely only annoy the judge and prosecutor while reducing your credibility in the eyes of a jury.

You need an experienced criminal speeding lawyer in Mesa who can review your case and help decide which legal approach is appropriate in your case. At The Turner Law Firm, we’re ready to get started on your case right away. Reach out today.

Contact a Criminal Speeding Lawyer in Mesa Today

Excessive speeding is often not a criminal matter, but under certain circumstances, it can be. When this happens, the potential exists to completely derail your life. The prosecutor will likely frame your situation as minor in nature — especially if this is your first offense. They’ll tell you that pleading guilty will put this issue to rest, and after paying a few fees, you’ll simply move on with your life. When the reality of a criminal record hits home, though, it becomes clear that these promises are not made in good faith. You need an aggressive legal team on your side to advocate on your behalf.

At The Turner Law Firm, PLLC, that’s precisely what you’ll find when you visit our law office. We don’t appreciate watching the state turn what should be a simple speeding ticket into a lifelong burden. Fortunately, you have legal rights. One of these rights is due process, and this means you cannot be convicted without being given the chance to defend yourself. With our Mesa criminal speeding lawyers on your side, successfully achieving this endeavor becomes a more obtainable goal. Contact us at (623) 253-8718 to schedule your in-depth case review.

We know what you’re up against is scary, but we’re here to make sure you’re not fighting alone.