Chandler Reckless Driving Lawyer
Reckless driving is a criminal traffic offense in Arizona—not merely a civil ticket you can pay and forget. Under ARS § 28-693, operating a vehicle with “reckless disregard for the safety of persons or property” is a Class 2 Misdemeanor carrying potential jail time, substantial fines, and 8 points on your driving record. Chandler’s freeway corridors—Loop 101 (Price Freeway) and Loop 202 (Santan Freeway)—along with congested areas like Arizona Avenue and Chandler Boulevard see significant reckless driving enforcement. For professionals holding security clearances, a reckless driving conviction creates a permanent criminal record requiring disclosure.
Attorney Josh Lopez represents clients facing reckless driving charges throughout Chandler.
→ For comprehensive Arizona reckless driving information, see: Arizona Reckless Driving Laws
Reckless Driving Under Arizona Law (ARS § 28-693)
“A person who drives a vehicle in reckless disregard for the safety of persons or property is guilty of reckless driving.”
What Constitutes “Reckless Disregard”
Courts consider the totality of circumstances when evaluating reckless disregard:
Speed-Related Conduct:
- Excessive speeding (particularly 20+ mph over posted limit)
- Racing or speed competition on public roads
- High speed in residential areas or school zones
- Speed inappropriate for road, weather, or traffic conditions
Dangerous Driving Behavior:
- Aggressive weaving through traffic at speed
- Following too closely at high speed (tailgating)
- Running red lights or stop signs at speed
- Passing in no-passing zones
- Driving on shoulders, sidewalks, or medians
Other Reckless Conduct:
- Evading or fleeing from law enforcement
- Exhibition of speed (burnouts, acceleration displays)
- Operating vehicle with known dangerous mechanical defect
- Extreme distracted driving creating serious danger
- Road rage incidents involving dangerous driving
Key Legal Distinction: Reckless vs. Negligent
Recklessness requires conscious disregard of a substantial risk—not mere carelessness or negligence. The driver must be aware that conduct creates risk and consciously choose to disregard that risk.
Reckless Driving Penalties
Class 2 Misdemeanor Classification
| Penalty | Maximum/Amount |
| Jail | 4 months |
| Fine | $750 base |
| Surcharges | Additional 84% (~$630) |
| Total Fine/Surcharges | ~$1,380 |
| Probation | Up to 2 years |
| Points | 8 on MVD record |
Additional Consequences
- Criminal record — Permanent record visible on background checks
- License suspension risk — 12 points in 12 months = automatic suspension
- Insurance rate increases — Often 50-150% or more for 3-5 years
- Employment impact — Especially positions involving driving
- Security clearance — Creates disclosure requirement
Related Criminal Traffic Offenses
Criminal Speeding (ARS § 28-701.02)
Speeding becomes a separate criminal offense when:
- Exceeding 85 mph regardless of posted speed limit
- Exceeding posted limit by 20 mph or more
- Exceeding 35 mph when approaching school crossing
Classification: Class 3 Misdemeanor
Penalty: Up to 30 days jail, $500 fine
Points: 3 on MVD record
Aggressive Driving (ARS § 28-695)
Speeding combined with two or more additional violations:
- Failure to obey traffic control device
- Improper passing on right
- Unsafe lane change
- Following too closely
- Failure to yield right-of-way
Classification: Class 1 Misdemeanor
Penalty: Up to 6 months jail
Points: 8 on MVD record
Racing on Highways (ARS § 28-708)
Engaging in speed competition with another vehicle on public roads.
Classification: Class 1 Misdemeanor
Points: 8 on MVD record
Additional: Mandatory 30-day vehicle impoundment
Unlawful Flight from Law Enforcement (ARS § 28-622.01)
Fleeing from pursuing police vehicle after signal to stop.
Classification: Class 5 Felony
Penalty: 6 months – 2.5 years prison
Points: 8 on MVD record
Common Reckless Driving Locations in Chandler
Freeway Corridors
Major highways through Chandler see significant enforcement:
- Loop 101 (Price Freeway) — Western Chandler boundary
- Loop 202 (Santan Freeway) — Southern and eastern routes
- High-speed weaving through congested traffic
- Racing incidents between vehicles
- Rush hour aggressive driving
Major Arterials
Chandler’s busy roads generate charges:
- Arizona Avenue — Primary north-south corridor
- Chandler Boulevard — East-west arterial
- Ray Road — Commercial corridor
- Alma School Road — Residential and commercial areas
- Gilbert Road — Eastern boundary
Intel and Price Corridor
Technology sector commuter routes:
- Post-work enforcement near tech company exits
- Rush hour traffic patterns
- Construction zone violations
MVD Points System
Reckless driving adds 8 points—one of the highest point values:
| Offense | Points |
| Reckless driving | 8 |
| Aggressive driving | 8 |
| Racing on highway | 8 |
| DUI | 8 |
| Criminal speeding | 3 |
| Regular speeding | 2-3 |
License Suspension Trigger: Accumulating 12 or more points within any 12-month period triggers automatic license suspension.
Professional Consequences
Security Clearance
Reckless driving creates criminal record:
- Must be disclosed to security officials
- Pattern may concern clearance reviewers
- Generally less serious than DUI but still relevant
Employment
- Criminal record on background checks
- Affects positions requiring driving
- Insurance issues for company vehicle use
Defense Strategies
Conduct Was Not “Reckless”
Challenge whether driving truly showed conscious disregard:
- Speed was elevated but appropriate for conditions
- Light traffic with no one actually at risk
- Single momentary mistake rather than recklessness
- Conduct was negligent at most, not reckless
Challenging Officer Observations
Question accuracy of officer’s observations:
- Limited vantage point
- Speed estimation without calibrated equipment
- Misidentification of vehicle
- Footage contradicts report
Speed Measurement Challenges
- Radar or lidar calibration issues
- Operator certification deficiencies
- Equipment malfunction
Reduction to Civil Offense
Negotiate reduction to civil traffic violation:
- Avoids criminal record
- Reduces points on license
- Minimizes insurance impact
Professional Consequences in Chandler
Security Clearance Impact
Reckless driving creates a permanent criminal record:
- Must be disclosed on security questionnaires
- Pattern of reckless behavior concerns clearance reviewers
- Generally less damaging than DUI but still relevant
- Multiple traffic offenses create cumulative concerns
Employment Considerations
Criminal traffic records affect employment:
- Background checks reveal criminal traffic convictions
- Positions requiring driving may be unavailable
- Company insurance policies may exclude convicted drivers
- Commercial driver positions affected
Insurance Consequences
Reckless driving dramatically affects insurance:
- Premium increases typically 50-150% or more
- SR-22 high-risk insurance may be required
- Effects typically last 3-5 years minimum
- Some insurers may cancel coverage entirely
Related Charges
Racing Often Accompanies Reckless Driving
When racing is alleged:
- Additional Class 1 Misdemeanor charge
- 8 more points on license
- Mandatory 30-day vehicle impoundment
- Enhanced insurance consequences
DUI and Reckless Driving
When both are charged:
- May negotiate DUI down to reckless (“wet reckless”)
- Reckless avoids mandatory DUI consequences
- Still criminal record and 8 points
- Common resolution in borderline DUI cases
Chandler Municipal Court
Location: 200 E. Chicago Street, Chandler, AZ 85225
Phone: (480) 782-4900
Handles reckless driving charges arising on roadways within Chandler city limits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is reckless driving a felony in Arizona?
No. Reckless driving is a Class 2 Misdemeanor. However, related offenses like unlawful flight from law enforcement can be Class 5 Felony.
How many points is reckless driving?
8 points. The threshold for automatic license suspension is 12 points in any 12-month period—so a reckless conviction leaves you only 4 points from suspension.
Will I go to jail for reckless driving?
Jail is possible—up to 4 months maximum. However, many first-time offenders receive probation and fines rather than incarceration.
Can reckless driving be reduced?
Sometimes yes. Through skilled negotiation, reckless driving may be reduced to a civil traffic violation, avoiding criminal record and the 8-point penalty.
How does reckless driving affect insurance?
Significantly. Expect substantial premium increases (often 50-150%) and the conviction affecting your rates for 3-5 years or longer.
Will reckless driving affect my security clearance?
It creates a criminal record requiring disclosure. Generally less serious than DUI but still relevant to clearance decisions.
Contact a Chandler Reckless Driving Defense Attorney
Reckless driving is a criminal offense with lasting consequences including permanent criminal record, 8 points toward suspension, and substantial insurance impacts.
Attorney Josh Lopez represents clients facing reckless driving throughout Chandler.
Scottsdale Office:
6991 East Camelback Rd, Suite D-300
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Phoenix Office:
2601 N 3rd Street, Suite 301
Phoenix, AZ 85004
Call (480) 386-1824 for a free consultation.