given to drivers who commit serious moving violations, such as drunk or reckless driving. Getting a criminal traffic ticket can negatively affect your driving record by assessing points to your driver’s license. It may also result in higher insurance rates.
Arizona’s Points Assessment System
Arizona uses a point system to encourage safe driving practices. Under this system, a driver can receive a certain number of points assessed against his or her permanent driving record upon being convicted of a traffic violation. If eight or more points are accumulated within a 12-month period, the driver may suffer license suspension or be required to attend traffic survival school.
The number of points assessed will depend on the infraction. A criminal traffic ticket for a DUI, reckless driving, or aggressive driving will assess eight points against the driver’s license. Fleeing the scene of an accident or causing death by failing to yield the right-of-way will assess six points. Other moving violations, including speeding, can lead to two to four points assessed.
License Suspension or Revocation
Points or demerits assessed against a driver’s driving record for a criminal traffic ticket in Arizona will remain there for at least one year. If eight or more points are added to a driver’s record in that year, he or she could face driver’s license suspension. In addition, if the criminal traffic ticket is processed as a misdemeanor or felony crime, this could lead to license suspension or revocation as ordered by the criminal courts. Serious traffic violations that endanger the lives of others could also lead to jail time.
Increased Insurance Costs
Insurance companies base a client’s rates on the amount of perceived risk involved in taking the driver as a client. If a driver has a history of criminal violations for dangerous driving, such as speeding or reckless driving, this can present the driver as more of a financial risk to the insurance provider. This will result in higher premiums being charged for auto insurance coverage.
Getting a criminal traffic ticket can impact your car insurance rates for three to five years, depending on your insurance provider and the severity of the offense. You may be able to reduce the cost of car insurance by switching companies. Compare insurance quotes from multiple carriers after getting your ticket to find out if another company offers a better rate. You should also look for available discounts, such as student discounts, to bring costs down.
How to Beat a Criminal Traffic Ticket in Arizona
It is always better to avoid getting a criminal traffic ticket in Arizona than to try to recover from adverse effects and legal consequences afterward. The best way to fight or “beat” a criminal traffic ticket is by working with an Arizona traffic violations attorney. An experienced attorney can carefully review the circumstances surrounding your citation, traffic stop, or criminal conviction to look for potential defenses, such as lack of probable cause to stop you or evidence that you were not in violation of a law.
An attorney can help you collect evidence to support your argument, such as witnesses who saw the event and traffic camera footage. Then, your lawyer can represent you in traffic court to fight a criminal traffic ticket. Your lawyer may be able to get the charges against you reduced to a standard moving violation or dismissed entirely. Your lawyer can also help you deal with the consequences of a criminal traffic violation, such as seeking a restricted driver’s license to allow you to drive to work or school.
For more information about fighting a criminal traffic violation, contact Corso Law Group for a free consultation.
