Scottsdale Reckless Driving Lawyer

Trusted Reckless Driving Attorney in Scottsdale, AZ

Facing a reckless driving charge is not like contesting an ordinary traffic ticket in Scottsdale. Arizona law treats reckless driving as a criminal misdemeanor that is punishable by jail time, fines, and possible driver’s license suspension. Your license can also receive points. If you were charged with reckless driving on Loop 101, Scottsdale Road, Shea Boulevard, or elsewhere in Maricopa County, a Scottsdale reckless driving lawyer can help explain the charge.

About Davidson Criminal Defense & DUI Law Firm

The lawyers at Davidson Criminal Defense & DUI Law Firm represent people charged with traffic offenses and other crimes in Scottsdale, Phoenix, and nearby Arizona communities. 

Attorney Joshua Davidson is a former prosecutor with almost three decades of legal experience. Davidson knows how the state builds criminal cases and what evidence they rely on at trial. Rather than approaching every reckless driving charge the same way, he tailors his defense to each client based on the specific circumstances of their case. 

Understanding Arizona Reckless Driving Laws

According to ARS § 28-693, it’s a criminal offense to operate a car, truck, or motorcycle without regard for others’ safety or the safety of their property, and a first-time conviction carries the penalty of a Class 2 misdemeanor. Arizona law also permits judges to suspend someone’s driver’s license for 90 days after a conviction. 

Speeding alone is not necessarily reckless driving under Arizona law. The surrounding facts and circumstances can be important. Although the statute does not specify a magic number for reckless driving, a prosecutor might use evidence regarding speed along with evidence about traffic, other cars or pedestrians, road conditions, or other factors. 

Arizona’s basic speed law, ARS § 28-701, requires drivers to operate their vehicles at a reasonable and prudent speed under existing conditions. A violation of the basic speed law may not reach the level of reckless disregard required for criminal conviction on a reckless driving charge. 

Driving fast can lead to tragic consequences on Arizona roadways. Speeding played a role in 367 fatalities and 19,831 injuries in motor vehicle crashes statewide in 2025, according to Arizona DOT data. These speed-related crashes accounted for 31.8% of all traffic deaths and 36.3% of traffic injuries in Arizona in 2025. 

Penalties for Reckless Driving in Arizona

Because reckless driving is classified as a criminal charge, not simply a traffic citation, convictions can result in penalties that go beyond a traffic fine. Arizona statute defines a first offense as a Class 2 misdemeanor and allows the judge to suspend your driver’s license for 90 days.

Additionally, you may face points on your driving record, and you may be required to attend Traffic Survival School. Penalties increase if the driver has certain qualifying prior convictions within two years. If someone receives a subsequent qualifying reckless driving offense conviction, the charge may be elevated and increase your potential penalties. The court may also suspend your license. 

Defenses in a Reckless Driving Case

Like all criminal charges, the right defense depends on what supposedly happened and what evidence is available. Because bringing a charge requires proof that the driver was acting with reckless disregard for other people’s safety, one important question might be whether his or her conduct was actually reckless. Evidence that may be used includes:

• Dashcam footage
• Eyewitness testimony
• Photographs
• Evidence from an accident, if the reckless driving resulted in a crash
• Police reports

A defense may also involve whether an officer correctly identified the make and model of a vehicle or the driver, and whether other evidence supports the facts described in the officer’s report. 

Hire a Reckless Driving Lawyer 

When you hire a reckless driving lawyer, they can conduct a detailed review of the prosecution’s evidence to find any factual or legal errors in your charge. Your Scottsdale reckless driving attorney can obtain a copy of the police report and review any available video, as well as assess whether the facts as alleged actually satisfy state law. 

Your attorney can also identify if another traffic offense might more appropriately apply to your situation. If your daily work requires you to drive or if a clean driving history is essential, being aware of the future implications is significant and something to consider when determining how to resolve your legal matter. 

FAQs

How Do I Beat a Reckless Driving Case?

There is no one way that guarantees you are going to beat a reckless driving charge. A viable defense might attack whether prosecutors can show that the driver exhibited reckless disregard for other people’s safety or property. 

Key pieces of evidence to consider are the officer’s observations, video footage, statements from witnesses, information about the road conditions, data on the vehicle’s speed, and confirmation of the driver’s identity by the prosecution. 

Can a Lawyer Drop a Reckless Driving Charge?

An attorney cannot drop a reckless driving charge. However, an experienced defense lawyer can attack the prosecutor’s evidence, file motions to dismiss when there are valid legal reasons, or negotiate for a lesser offense. It all depends on the circumstances and evidence of the specific case. If you face a reckless driving charge trial, the prosecutor has the burden of proving you committed the offense charged beyond a reasonable doubt. 

What Is the Penalty for Reckless Driving in AZ?

According to state law, penalties for reckless driving fall under a Class 2 misdemeanor in Arizona. Judges can also suspend a driver’s license for 90 days. A person’s second qualifying conviction within two years is a Class 1 misdemeanor with a minimum of 20 days in jail and an automatic license suspension for one year. 

Does Reckless Driving Have to Involve an Accident in Arizona? 

No, someone does not need to cause a crash to face charges of reckless driving in Arizona. The law punishes individuals who drive with reckless disregard for other people’s safety or property. Because of this, prosecutors can file a reckless driving charge based solely on the person’s alleged method of driving. This means that prosecutors could pursue a reckless driving charge even if no collision occurred and/or no one was injured or suffered property damage. 

Contact Davidson Criminal Defense & DUI Law Firm Today

If you are charged with reckless driving in Scottsdale, Davidson Criminal Defense & DUI Law Firm can help you advocate for yourself in court. Get in touch with us today to schedule your consultation.