What is criminal speeding in Arizona?
Last reviewed 2026-08-31
Statute-verified answerEvery citation resolves to Arizona statute text; every figure is checked against its section. Generated by AI, verified by code.
Criminal speeding in Arizona — called "excessive speed" — is a criminal charge, a class 3 misdemeanor, not a civil traffic ticket [1].
A driver commits it in any of three ways:
1. Exceeding thirty-five miles per hour when approaching a school crossing [1].
2. Exceeding the posted speed limit in a business or residential district by more than twenty miles per hour — or, if no speed limit is posted there, exceeding forty-five miles per hour [1].
3. Exceeding the posted speed limit by more than twenty miles per hour in any other location [1].
Because this is a criminal offense rather than a civil ticket, a person charged under this section may not also be issued a civil complaint under section 28-701 for the same conduct [1].
Statutes cited
AI-drafted answer, not attorney-reviewed. Citations verified against azleg.gov. Legal information, not legal advice — consult a licensed attorney for your situation.