Speeding/Reckless Driving
Facing Reckless Driving Charges under A.R.S. § 28-693?
In Arizona, reckless driving is not a simple traffic ticket—it is a criminal offense. Under Arizona Revised Statutes § 28-693, driving with a “reckless disregard for the safety of persons or property” is classified as a Class 2 Misdemeanor. A conviction can result in immediate jail time, steep fines, a mandatory driver’s license suspension, and a permanent criminal record.
When the consequences are this severe, do not leave your future to an inexperienced associate or paralegal. At Shell & Nermyr Criminal Defense Attorneys, your case is personally handled from start to finish by a veteran firm partner with over 20 years of dedicated courtroom experience.
We deliver aggressive defense strategies to protect motorists facing reckless driving allegations in Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Phoenix, and throughout the Maricopa County justice courts.
Penalties for Reckless Driving in Arizona
Because a reckless driving charge is a criminal misdemeanor, the penalties escalate sharply based on your prior driving record:
- First-Time Offense: Up to 4 months in jail, a maximum fine of $750 plus surcharges, and a potential 90-day driver’s license suspension. The Arizona MVD will also assess 8 points against your driving record, forcing you to attend Traffic Survival School (TSS).
- Second Offense (Within 24 Months): Classified as a Class 1 Misdemeanor. Penalties escalate to a mandatory minimum of 20 days in jail (up to 6 months), fines up to $2,500, and a mandatory revocation of your driving privileges.
How We Fight Maricopa County Traffic Charges
The legal definition of “reckless disregard” is highly subjective. Police officers frequently overcharge drivers, elevating simple civil speeding or lane violations into criminal offenses.
Chad Shell and Mark Nermyr analyze every detail of the state’s evidence to build a strong defense. Common legal strategies include:
- Challenging “Reckless” Intent: Proving your driving, while perhaps negligent or fast, did not meet the high legal threshold of intentional criminal recklessness.
- Contesting Speed & Radars: Verifying whether pacing techniques or radar devices used by law enforcement were properly calibrated and maintained.
- Negotiating Down to Civil Violations: Leveraging our strong professional reputation with local prosecutors to get criminal charges successfully reduced to minor civil traffic infractions or dismissed entirely via traffic school.
Why Choose Shell & Nermyr for Your Traffic Defense?
- Partner-Level Representation: You will work directly with Chad Shell or Mark Nermyr. Your freedom is never handed off to an associate.
- Direct 24/7 Access: When you retain our firm, you receive your attorney’s personal cell phone number so you can get real-time answers day or night.
- Respected Local Reputation: We are highly respected by judges and prosecutors across Arizona, giving you a strong advocate in local municipal and justice courts.
480-775-4800