Traffic Charges

Need help fighting a ticket in Chandler, Gilbert, or Mesa? Protecting a clean driving record is a priority for individuals represented by the local traffic defense attorneys at Shell & Nermyr.

Whether facing a serious criminal traffic charge or a civil moving violation, the unique complexities of Arizona traffic laws require experienced representation.

Aggressive Traffic Ticket Defense in Chandler & Maricopa County

When facing local courts and state prosecutors, experience matters. At Shell & Nermyr, clients work directly with a senior firm partner. Founding attorneys Chad Shell and Mark Nermyr each bring over years of dedicated legal experience.

Over the past two decades, the firm has secured hundreds of traffic ticket dismissals and acquittals across Maricopa County. Clients receive a direct personal cell phone number for constant communication.

Understanding Criminal vs. Civil Traffic Tickets in Arizona

Arizona law separates traffic violations into two distinct categories: criminal offenses and civil infractions. Navigating these overlapping charges requires extensive knowledge of both municipal court procedures and the Arizona Motor Vehicle Division (MVD).

Criminal Traffic Tickets

• Creates a permanent criminal record upon conviction.
• Penalties include potential jail time, probation, and heavy fines.
• Adversely impacts future employment and raises auto insurance rates.

Civil Traffic Tickets

• Does not result in jail time or a permanent criminal background.
• Penalties are limited to financial fines and MVD driving points.
• Accumulating too many points carries a severe risk of license suspension.

Types of Criminal Traffic Tickets in Arizona

A criminal traffic conviction leaves a permanent mark on a background check. A criminal record can severely impact employment opportunities, jeopardize fingerprint clearance cards, and cause auto insurance premiums to skyrocket.

Common Arizona criminal traffic offenses include:

• Criminal Speeding: Charged under A.R.S. § 28-701.02 if a driver exceeds the posted limit by more than 20 mph, or drives faster than 85 mph. This is a Class 3 misdemeanor carrying up to 30 days in jail.
• Driving Under the Influence (DUI): Misdemeanor DUI charges (including Regular, Extreme, Super Extreme, and DUI Drugs) carry mandatory jail sentences up to 180 days. Felony Aggravated DUI carries up to 3.75 years in state prison.
• Reckless Driving: Operating a vehicle with a reckless disregard for the safety of people or property. This Class 2 misdemeanor carries up to 120 days in jail.
• Aggressive Driving: A Class 1 misdemeanor requiring proof of speeding plus at least two other specific civil infractions. Punishable by up to 180 days in jail.
• Racing / Exhibition of Speed: Participating in an unauthorized race, speed competition, or acceleration contest. This Class 1 misdemeanor carries up to 180 days in jail.
• Driving on a Suspended License: Operating a vehicle while knowing (or having reason to know) that driving privileges are suspended. A Class 1 misdemeanor carrying up to 180 days in jail.
• Hit and Run (Leaving the Scene): Failing to stop and exchange information after an accident, even with an unattended vehicle. This Class 2 misdemeanor carries up to 120 days in jail.

Arizona Civil Traffic Tickets & MVD Point System

Civil traffic tickets—such as failing to stop at a red light, violating stop signs, or standard speeding—do not result in jail time. However, they add points to an Arizona Motor Vehicle Record (MVR).

• The 8-Point Threshold: Drivers begin with zero points. Accumulating 8 points on a driving record triggers a mandatory MVD requirement to attend Traffic Survival School (TSS).
• TSS vs. Defensive Driving: Traffic Survival School is a mandatory corrective course that is completely different from a voluntary defensive driving diversion program.
• Direct MVD Insights: The legal team maintains reliable resources to pull immediate, accurate information regarding a client’s current MVD point standing.

Call the attorneys at Shell & Nermyr 480-775-4800 or text them at 602-284-0247 and let them fight your Traffic case for you.

Do not hire an inexperienced attorney or a firm that will simply hand your file over to a paralegal. Chad Shell and Mark Nermyr can help you beat criminal and civil traffic cases.