Arizona
Careless & Reckless Driving Lawyer in Arizona
Careless or reckless driving is one of the most serious moving violations — in many states it is a misdemeanor with jail exposure. An attorney can often negotiate it down to a simple infraction that protects your record.
Talk to us before you pay that ticket
Charges like this one start with a short call. A licensed Arizona attorney reviews your case and explains your options before you pay anything.
Request a free consultation- Win rate
- 98%
- Drivers helped
- 5,000+
- Saved for drivers
- $7M+
- Avg. insurance savings
- $1,422
How it works
Three steps from ticket to result.
- STEP 01
Share your ticket
Upload your citation and basic details in minutes.
- STEP 02
An attorney takes over
A licensed attorney files with the court and negotiates on your behalf.
- STEP 03
Get updates until it's done
We keep you posted at every step — most cases end with a reduced or dismissed charge.
Why it matters in Arizona
What a careless & reckless driving costs in Arizona
- Typical fine
- Up to $750 plus surcharges (class 2 misdemeanor)
- License points
- 8 points
- Insurance impact
- Reckless driving is one of the costliest entries on an Arizona record — 25%+ increases for multiple years are typical.
- License risk
- Eight points from a single conviction meets MVD's action threshold by itself — Traffic Survival School or suspension; up to 4 months jail is legally possible.
Frequently asked questions
Why is reckless driving different from a big speeding ticket in Arizona?
Reckless driving under A.R.S. § 28-693 is a class 2 criminal misdemeanor, and its 8 points alone trigger MVD action — school or suspension — without any other ticket. A civil speeding violation does neither.
Can reckless driving be pled down?
Often, yes — to civil speeding or another lesser violation. That single change eliminates the criminal record and drops the point load from 8 to 3 or fewer, which is usually the difference between keeping and losing your license.
What happens on a second reckless conviction?
A second reckless driving offense within 24 months becomes a class 1 misdemeanor with mandatory license revocation and jail exposure — Arizona escalates quickly, so the first one is the one to fight.
Will I actually serve jail time?
Up to four months is authorized, but first offenses without injuries rarely see custody when defended. The near-certain harms — the criminal record, 8 points, MVD action, and insurance fallout — are what a negotiated outcome avoids.
Talk to us before you pay that ticket
Tell us about your case and we'll connect you with a licensed attorney who can evaluate your options — no obligation.
Request a free consultation