Investigative Article

Arizona Criminal Speeding Ticket Can Haunt Your Record and Life

Have you ever heard of a criminal speeding ticket? It is not your typical traffic offense that is slapped with just a fine or points deduction from your driving record. A criminal speeding ticket, classified as a Class 3 misdemeanor, can significantly affect your record and haunt you for the rest of your life. If you are wondering whether receiving a criminal speeding ticket in Arizona can affect your life, the answer is yes, it can.

Unlike civil traffic violations, which typically disappear from your driving record after twelve months, a criminal speeding charge remains on your criminal record indefinitely. The immediate impact on your driving privileges may fade after a year, but the misdemeanor itself does not automatically vanish from your criminal history. It can influence employment, insurance rates, and more for years to come. Each sector, like insurance companies, may review your driving history for varying lengths of time, usually between three to five years.

What Is a Criminal Speeding Ticket in Arizona?

In Arizona, there are three types of speeding offenses: civil, criminal, and excessive. Civil speeding tickets are violations of traffic laws and are part of your driving record. On the other hand, criminal and excessive speeding involve higher speeds and are both criminal offenses. A criminal speeding ticket is classified as a Class 3 misdemeanor, punishable by a maximum fine of $500 and 30 days in jail. It is also the least severe criminal misdemeanor in Arizona.

However, the consequences of a criminal speeding ticket go well beyond the penalties imposed. As mentioned earlier, a criminal speeding charge will remain on your criminal record indefinitely and can affect your life in many ways.

How Can a Criminal Speeding Ticket Affect Your Life?

The impact of a criminal speeding ticket on your life will depend on several factors, including your career and driving history. The following are some of the ways a criminal speeding ticket can affect your life:

1. Employment

When applying for a job, many employers ask if you have ever been convicted of a crime. A criminal speeding charge may not seem like a big deal, but it is still a misdemeanor criminal offense. It could cause potential employers to hesitate to hire you, especially if the job requires driving or has a security component.

2. Insurance Rates

If your insurance company reviews your driving record and sees the criminal speeding charge, you could face increased insurance rates or even denial of coverage. Insurance companies base their decisions on risk, and a criminal speeding charge may indicate you are a higher risk driver.

3. Driving Privileges

The Arizona Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) assigns points to drivers' licenses for traffic violations. If you accrue a certain number of points within a specific period, the MVD can suspend your driving privileges. A criminal speeding charge is worth three points, and excessive speeding carries eight points, so it can quickly add up and result in license suspension.

4. Professional Licenses

Some professions require a license, such as law, medicine, and education. A criminal speeding charge could impact your eligibility for a professional license. Even if the criminal charge is not related to your profession, it could indicate a lack of moral character and raise concerns about your suitability for the job.

5. Background Checks

If you ever face a background check, your criminal speeding charge may show up, potentially impacting your chances of obtaining a loan, housing, or any other benefits provided by the government or private organizations.

6. Education

If you are currently studying or planning to study in places that require a criminal background check, for example, universities, scholarships, and internships, then you might encounter difficulties. With a criminal record of various traffic citations, education institutions might question your discipline and values.

7. Traveling

When traveling abroad, you will need to apply for a visa or go through a background check. If you have a criminal record, including a criminal speeding charge, foreign countries can reject your application or forbid entry to their country.

Conclusion

It is evident that a criminal speeding ticket can impact your life long after you pay the fine and move on. It can limit your work opportunities, insurance coverage, and even affect your ability to obtain a professional license, which in turn affects your financial future. Additionally, your personal life might also be affected when applying for loans, housing, or studying. The solution to mitigating these severe consequences is quite simple; seeking an experienced defense attorney can help tackle the criminal speeding charge. The Arja Shah Law Firm highly recommended for their knowledge and experience.

If you indeed accumulated a criminal speeding ticket in Arizona, read more here and give Arja Shah, the best criminal defense attorney, a call immediately for a suitable solution.