According to the Arizona Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) a speeding conviction comes with 3 points. Their list of points assessed only notes 3 points for speeding of any type.They do not denote any different point count if you are caught for criminal speeding, also known as excessive speed.
The MVD does note that if you accumulate 8 or more points in any 12 month period in Arizona, you may be required to attend Traffic Survival School (TSS), or your driving privilege may be suspended up to 12 months. All convictions for red-light/stop-sign running, aggressive driving, moving violations resulting in death or serious injury, and the first moving violation for drivers under 18 years of age require successful completion of Traffic Survival School following assignment. Failure to successfully complete Traffic Survival School when ordered will result in the suspension of the person’s driving privilege.
MVD may also suspend or revoke your driving privilege if you:
- Have been convicted of frequent, serious offenses which show disrespect for traffic laws and a disregard for the safety of others
- Have been convicted of reckless driving or are a repeat reckless or negligent driver
- Are medically unsafe to drive a motor vehicle
- Have committed or permitted an unlawful or fraudulent use of your driver license
- Have been convicted of driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, drugs or toxic vapors
- Have been arrested for refusal to take or successfully complete a chemical test (alcohol/drug content). The penalty for refusal or unsuccessful completion is a 12-month suspension of your driver license, or 2 years for a second or subsequent refusal within an 84-month period.
- Are under 21 and have been convicted of receiving, consuming or possessing alcohol
- Are under 21 and have been convicted of any illegal drug violation
- Have an unresolved judgment from another state
- Have committed an offense for which mandatory revocation of the driving privilege is required upon conviction
In Arizona there are certain citations that are found by AZ law to be criminal traffic violations this includes such offenses as reckless driving, excessive speed (more than 20 mph above the posted speed limit) and DUI. If the offense on your citation/ticket is listed as a criminal violation, you must appear at the court listed on your ticket at the date and time specified.
It would appear that excessive speed (ARS 28-701.02) is what you were cited for. This is a serious criminal charge that occurs only in the following speeding situations:
- Speeding over 85 mph
- Speeding over 20 mph over the posted limit in residential or business districts
- Speeding over 35 mph approaching school zones.
A conviction for excessive speed is a Class 3 misdemeanor and could result in up to thirty days in jail and three points against the driver's license. We have read that with a lawyer’s help you may be able to persuade the prosecutor to offer you a lesser charge that involves no jail or points against your license so you may want to get professional legal help on with your court appearance for this criminal speeding citation in AZ.
To find out about what to expect in court, the possible penalties for your specific speeding offense, the probable fine amount, etc contact the court listed on the criminal traffic violation citation. The clerk of the court should be able to provide you with this information.
The AZ Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) can tell you more about their points system and when they suspended a person's driver's license. If your AZ insurance rates are affected by this speeding ticket you can click here for discount auto insurance.