PHOENIX, ARIZONA CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY FOR CRIMES INVOLVING CARS

If a normally law-abiding person is ever charged with a crime, it’s usually some kind of vehicular crime. Driving is one of the few areas of everyday live where even upstanding citizens violate the rules on a fairly regular basis.

Many people who are charged with DUIs have never had previous run-ins with the law. You could be charged with reckless driving when you’re in a hurry to get to work. Even responsible people may panic and flee the scene of an accident.  

Although many vehicular crimes in Arizona are misdemeanors, some do rise to the level of felonies. If you’ve been charged with a felony or a serious misdemeanor, it may be in your interest to speak with an Arizona criminal defense lawyer.

Reckless Driving – ARS 28-693

A driver in Arizona may be charged with reckless driving if they’re acting with reckless disregard for the safety of people or property. This class 2 misdemeanor covers a variety of potential actions and is often discretionary based on the officer who witnesses and stops the driver. Excessive speeding in a neighborhood or tailgating while speeding are examples of potential reckless driving actions.

If you know the way you’re operating a vehicle could cause serious injury or death, but you do it anyways, you might be charged with reckless driving.

Endangerment – ARS 13-1201

It’s not unheard of for the person who causes a serious injury accident on Arizona streets to be charged with endangerment, which is a class 6 felony. Although it’s not solely used for auto accidents and vehicular crimes, it is relevant when a person’s reckless driving leads to a serious accident that did or could have resulted in serious injury or death.

Unlawful Flight – ARS 28-622.01

This vehicular crime is charged when a suspect flees law enforcement in a vehicle. Fleeing a law enforcement vehicle attempting to perform a stop is a class 5 felony.

Leaving the Scene of an Injury or Fatal Accident – ARS 28-661

Failure to stop after being involved in an accident is illegal under Arizona law. Penalties for leaving the scene of a serious injury accident or any accident that resulted in the death of another driver, passenger or pedestrian is a class 3 felony or a class 2 felony in vehicular crimes. The charge is a more serious class 2 felony if the driver who flees was the cause of the accident, and a class 3 felony if the driver who flees was simply involved in the accident.

In addition to any homicide or manslaughter charges a driver who flees an accident may face, they could also be sentenced to anywhere from 5 to 10 years for leaving the scene, depending on the severity of the injuries involved.