For immigrants in Phoenix, reckless driving charges come with added complexities. A crime like this can threaten your immigration status and derail your future in the United States. Arizona views reckless driving as a serious punishable offense. It can result in a Class 2 or a Class 1 Misdemeanor.
At Vianey K. Hurtado Law, we advocate for you through our real experiences. We provide our clients with a knowledgeable, compassionate legal team. They will create a thorough strategy to fight your case. Our team serves the areas of Phoenix and Yuma.
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Reckless driving involves operating a vehicle with reckless disregard for persons or property. (A.R.S 28-693)
Examples of reckless driving can include:
Reckless driving has two possible categories. These are a Class 2 Misdemeanor and a Class 1 Misdemeanor. The court categorizes this charge with the following criteria:
A Class 2 Misdemeanor reckless driving charge can result in a harsh punishment. This includes up to 4 months in jail, up to $750 in fines, and the possibility of a court-ordered 90 day license suspension.
A Class 1 Misdemeanor reckless driving charge comes with more severe consequences. These include up to 6 months in jail, up to $2,500 in fines, and license suspension for 1 year.
The offender may also attend mandatory driving school before their license is reinstated.
With the right legal team, you can ask the court for permission to leave jail at certain times. This would be for work or school requirements. You would have to return to jail each day after the work or school obligations are complete.
Reckless driving charges can jeopardize your immigration status. While it isn't a felony offense, a crime of this nature can still cause issues–especially if you have other criminal convictions.
For starters, if an undocumented immigrant receives a conviction, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) could be alerted. This poses risk for removal proceedings and the potential for deportation. A reckless driving conviction—especially if it's not the first criminal offense—can seriously jeopardize an immigration case, undermine eligibility for a discretionary grant of relief, or put a DACA holder at risk of losing their protected status.
Reckless driving that results in injury or property damage can affect green card and visa holders, as well. It can hinder status renewal or applying for naturalization.
The court also takes criminal history and the severity of the crime into account. Some contributing factors include:
Immigrants facing reckless driving charges in Arizona should hire an attorney right away. A legal professional can look at the entire case and all circumstances included. Then, they can form a strong defense.
At Vianey K. Hurtado Law, our team is willing to do everything possible to fight for you. We provide an experienced legal team and serve members of the Phoenix and Yuma communities. We will create a relevant strategy to achieve the best outcome for your case.
If you need a reckless driving immigration attorney in Arizona, contact us today. We will provide you with a thorough case evaluation.
