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CRIMINAL TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS If you have been charged with a criminal traffic violation, your first Court appearance will be an “Initial Appearance/Arraignment”. The purpose of your “Initial Appearance/Arraignment” is to inform you of the charge(s) against you and the maximum and minimum penalties of the charge(s). At this time you will enter a plea to the charge(s). You have the following plea options: NOT GUILTY: A plea of Not Guilty means that you are denying the charge(s) against you and the State will have to prove the charge(s). At this time, you may request court appointed counsel. A Pre-Trial Conference will be set at a later date and you will be ordered to appear. GUILTY: A plea of Guilty means that you are admitting that you did what you are charged with. It will result in a conviction for the charge(s). You may be sentenced at this time or a Judgment & Sentencing will be set at a later date. NO CONTEST: A plea of No Contest means that you are not admitting or denying guilt for the charge. You are stating that you do not intend to contest the charge(s). In this case, the Judge will find you guilty of the charge(s). It will result in a conviction for the charge(s). PRE-TRIAL CONFERENCE It is mandatory that you attend the Pre-Trial Conference. You should appear with your attorney, if you have one. If you do not attend the Pre-Trial Conference you will be in violation of a court order and a warrant will be issued for your arrest. The purpose of a Pre-Trial Conference is for you to meet with a Prosecutor to discuss your case. You will get a copy of the police report. The Prosecutor will advise you of the sentence he/she intends to recommend in the event you are convicted. You will have the following choices:
COURT TRIAL You will appear at the Court Trial with your attorney, if you have one representing you. The Prosecutor will present the State’s case. You or your attorney will have the right to cross-examine each witness for the State. You may testify on your own behalf. If you do testify, you will be subject to cross-examination by the Prosecutor. If you are found Not Guilty, any bond that you have posted will be refunded. If you are found Guilty, you may be sentenced at that time or set for sentencing at a later date. If found Guilty, you have the right to appeal the conviction and/or sentence by filing a notice of appeal within fourteen (14) days from the sentencing date. The appeal is a review of the case. You would not automatically receive a new trial. Violations which require an appearance before the Judge: ARS 28-693A - Reckless Driving ARS 28-695 - Aggressive Driving ARS 28-661A1 - Leaving the Scene of an Accident/ Personal Injury ARS 28-661A2 - Failure to Stop at the Scene of an Accident/Personal Injury ARS 28-708A - Racing on Highway ARS 28-1381A1 - Driving While Under the Influence Of Intoxicating Liquor or Drug ARS 28-1381A2 - Driving While Under the Influence Of Intoxicating Liquor With A Blood Alcohol Content of .08 or More ARS 28-1381A3 - Driving While Under the Influence of Drugs or Metabolite ARS 28-1381A4 - Driving While Under the Influence of Intoxicating Liquor in a Commercial Vehicle With A Blood Alcohol Content of .04 or More ARS 28-1382A - Driving While Under the Extreme Influence of Intoxicating Liquor ARS 28-3473A- Driving While Driver’s License Suspended/Revoked/Cancelled
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