California and Arizona are both part of the Drivers License Compact (DLC) so if you are convicted of the Arizona criminal traffic offense then the Arizona courts will inform the California Department of Motor Vehicles.

In Arizona there are certain traffic tickets that are found by AZ law to be criminal traffic violations this includes such offenses as Criminal traffic violations include reckless driving, excessive speed (more than 20 mph above the posted speed limit) and DUI.

According to the California Department of Motor Vehicles, if another state reports an out of state moving violation to them they will place it on your CA driving record. The CA violation point assessment list has an out of state violations listed on it such as a speeding ticket is listed as one (1) point on your CA driver's license. Reckless Driving or DUI would be two (2) points on your California driver's license.

Arizona tickets that are marked as being a criminal violation normally means that you must appear at the Court listed on your ticket at the date and time specified.

If you fight and win in court it should mean that the offense will be dismissed and thus California would not be notified of the traffic ticket since you were not convicted of it. If you either do not fight the ticket or you plead guilty and receive penalties for the offense (possible penalties being fines, jail time, community service, etc) the AZ courts will then inform the CA DMV of the conviction and then it will go on your California driving record and be assessed points.

If the Arizona ticket makes it onto your California driver's license then your insurance company will see it the next time they pull your MVR and thus it could affect your rates depending upon your insurance provider's rating system.