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The Arizona MVD Point System

Every time someone is convicted of a traffic violation in Arizona, the MVD (Motor Vehicle Division) assesses points against their permanent driving record. Depending on the violation, the offender receives a certain number of driving record points, which range from 2 points to 8 points; 2 points for the less serious traffic violations, and 8 points for serious crimes and traffic violations.

When the person receives a certain number of points on their driver’s license, they may face license suspension or revocation. A traffic violation will also lead to higher insurance rates. The state of Arizona employs a driver improvement program which can possibly help negate the citation points or dismiss the ticket altogether. However, the best strategy is to avoid getting a traffic ticket in the first place.

Classification Of Arizona Traffic Tickets

The traffic tickets in Arizona are divided into two main categories:

  1. Civil
  2. Criminal

The civil citations are the less serious offenses and include minor moving violations. They also carry lower driving record points.

The criminal violations are the more serious ones and they are further divided into 2 categories:

  1. Misdemeanors
  2. Felonies

Reckless driving and Driving Under the Influence (DUI) are considered misdemeanor violations.

The more serious traffic crimes, like evading the police, and DUI-related traffic accidents involving injury or death, fall under felonies.

Points Associated With Each Traffic Violation

The associated points for each traffic violation are listed below, for both civil and criminal violations, starting from the more serious ones.

Extreme DUI (Driving with a BAC of 0.15% or more) 8 points
DUI (Driving with a BAC of 0.08% or more) 8 points
Aggressive driving 8 points
Reckless driving 8 points
Running a traffic signal or stop sign, with accident causing death 6 points
Hit-and-run / Leaving the scene of an accident 6 points
Running a traffic signal or stop sign, with accident causing serious injury 4 points
Failure to yield the right of way 4 points
Speeding 3 points
Driving or parking in a gore zone 3 points
Following too closely 2 points
All other traffic violations 2 points

License Suspension

Any driver who continues to violate the traffic laws in Arizona will have their license suspended if they rack up 8 points in a 12 month period. 8 points on the driver’s record has a license suspension of 1 year. In most criminal violations, the driver’s license is suspended immediately and they may face additional fines and penalties.

Removing Points From Your Record

An offender may be given the option to complete a defensive driving course and have the points removed from their record. These courses are approved by the Arizona Supreme Court and will prevent any citation points from being assessed to your driving record.

Reinstating your License

For minor violations, the offender may have the option to have their license reinstated by completing a process online using a credit card.

However, if the license has been suspended, the offender will have to apply to have their license reinstated first in order to clear the suspension. For this, they will need to gather the appropriate paperwork, pay a series of fees, and may even be required to take a few tests.

If you are facing a traffic violation in Arizona, it is important to get in touch with an experienced DUI defense attorney right away. Call the law offices of Attorney Brian D. Sloan at 480-900-0384 or 602-900-0384 for a Free Initial Consultation.

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Brian Douglas Sloan

DUI ATTORNEY


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Best DUI Lawyer in Phoenix

Why DUI Attorney Brian Douglas Sloan?

19+

19+ Years SOLELY Focused on DUI Defense

4,200+

4,200+ DUIs Successfully Defended

Top Accolades

  • Only DUI "Power Lawyer" in the Nation Featured in USA Today, 2022

  • Top 10 in Arizona

Top 1%

Top One Percent in the Nation

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4.9 / 5.0

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“I am one of only a handful of Phoenix DUI Lawyers that focuses solely on DUI Defense representation.”

I have spent my entire career focused on Arizona DUI Defense representation, having personally defended over 4,200+ DUI clients in the past 19+ years.

If you’re looking for a divorce attorney, tax attorney, or civil attorney, I can comfortably say, "I’m not the one for you."

Coming up with traditional, as well as outside-the-box motions and defenses for my clients, often with good results, is the hallmark of my practice.

Lawyers that say they are "aggressive" or "will fight for you" are a dime a dozen. They use these phrases because they think people want to hear them. Being "aggressive" isn’t the same as being good and is often used to put on a show to hide the fact that they aren’t doing anything meaningful for the client.

The same is true for the lawyers claiming to do DUI Defense, Criminal Cases, Accident Cases, and Divorces. A Jack-of-all-Trades is a master of none! By handling all sorts of cases, they take away from their ability to truly focus on DUIs, and keep up to date on the latest changes in Phoenix DUI Defense Representation.

What I offer is intelligent, quality DUI Defense at an exceptional price.

I have not only taught other lawyers how to do DUI Defense Representation at statewide seminars, but I produced DUI Legal Guides used by defense lawyers across Arizona.

I am one of Arizona's most award-winning DUI Defense Lawyers, recognized nationally, including in a 2022 issue of USA Today.

There are no other private DUI Defense Lawyers in Arizona that have personally defended more DUI cases than I have. And as a bonus, I offer a flat rate for my legal services without any hidden charges. This guarantees that I offer some of the most competitive rates among all Arizona DUI Attorneys, while being the preeminent leader in the field of DUI Defense Representation.

Over the years, countless people have come to me after discovering that their first lawyer made a mistake, gave them false hope or false promises, or simply took their money and didn't do much to advance their case. And you would be surprised at how often this happens.

So, instead of wasting time and money on the wrong DUI Defense Attorney, do yourself a favor and get the proven and documented best DUI Lawyer in Phoenix and the surrounding areas of Maricopa County.

You can reach me on my cell phone: 480-720-7839.


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Brian Douglas Sloan

DUI Attorney

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Email address:
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