Speeding is arguably the most common criminal offense in Arizona. It is one of the only crimes that most people will readily admit to engaging in not just occasionally but habitually. After all, in most cases, speeding is a civil infraction, rather than a real crime, and despite its correlation with deadly crashes, people view it as a victimless personal decision.
However, criminal charges can result for those accused of excessive speeding. Instead of just a traffic ticket, you could have a class 3 misdemeanor offense on your record. How do you determine when speeding is no longer a civil infraction but rather a criminal offense?
The posted speed limit and your actual speed can both result in charges
There are two general ways in which a driver can wind up facing criminal excessive speeding charges. The first is by traveling at a speed of 85 miles an hour or faster on any road, regardless of the posted speed limit.
The second way is by exceeding certain posted speed limits by a significant amount. For example, exceeding 35 miles an hour around a school crossing could result in charges, as could going 25 miles an hour or more over the speed limit on any road. Going over 45 miles an hour on a business or residential road could also leave someone at risk for an excessive speeding charge.
It is possible to fight against excessive speeding charges depending on the circumstances and the evidence that the state has. Fighting, and winning, such a serious traffic offense will not only help you keep your criminal record clean but will also help you avoid other costs, like increased insurance expenses.