Traffic tickets are any form of citation that you get for violating traffic laws. It may seem like most traffic laws travel unchanged from state to state, but there are actually subtle differences.

For that reason, it is important to familiarize yourself with the rules of the road, particularly variable rules like maximum speed limits, before heading out onto Arizona's highways.

Top Civil Penalties

In Arizona, civil citations encompass any type of moving or standing violation (including speeding, illegal parking, and disobeying traffic signals) that is not serious enough to be considered criminal. Unlike criminal offenses, traffic tickets do not appear on a criminal record. They do, however, add points to your license.

Furthermore, the maximum civil penalty is much lower for a traffic ticket than for criminal penalties. It usually amounts to a monetary fine and possibly a class on traffic safety.

However, accumulating too many points on your license can result in your driver's license being suspended. If you're close to losing your license and think that one more traffic conviction could send you over the edge, considering consulting an attorney who specializes in traffic cases to help you fight the ticket.

Top Criminal Penalties

Chances are good that you know when you are doing something worthy of a criminal penalty. These violations fall into two categories: misdemeanors, such as reckless driving or DUI, and felonies, such as not stopping when a peace officer commands you to pull over.

Criminal citations will undoubtedly land you with a stiff monetary penalty. Some also threaten driver's license suspensions and a day (or several) in court, not to mention jail time. If you have received a criminal citation, you should consider getting a lawyer.

For the current maximum civil penalty, and to learn what types of traffic tickets constitute criminal or civil penalties, see the Arizona Revised Statutes.

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