ARS 28-693: Reckless Driving
The complete text of A.R.S. § 28-693 on reckless driving, what the State has to prove, and the sentencing range, with a violation charged as a class 1 through 2 misdemeanor and exposure reaching up to 6 months in jail.
Recognized By
As Seen On
Recognized By
Penalties for a § 28-693 Conviction
A.R.S. § 28-693 is the Arizona statute on reckless driving. A violation is a class 1 through 2 misdemeanor, depending on the paragraph charged and what the State can prove. The maximum exposure is 6 months in jail.
| Class | Maximum jail | Maximum fine |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 misdemeanor | 6 months | $2,500 |
| Class 2 misdemeanor | 4 months | $750 |
Felony ranges are set by A.R.S. § 13-702(D) and apply to a first felony conviction that is not dangerous and not repetitive. A dangerous offense (§ 13-704), a repetitive offense (§ 13-703) or a dangerous crime against children (§ 13-705) carries a longer range, and some carry mandatory prison with no probation. Misdemeanor maximums come from §§ 13-707 and 13-802; surcharges are added on top of every fine.
Full Text of A.R.S. § 28-693
A. A person who drives a vehicle in reckless disregard for the safety of persons or property is guilty of reckless driving.
B. A person who is convicted of reckless driving is guilty of a class 2 misdemeanor.
C. In addition, the judge may require the surrender to a police officer of any driver license of the convicted person, shall report the conviction to the department and may order the driving privileges of the person to be suspended for a period of not more than ninety days. On receipt of the abstract of conviction and order, the department shall suspend the driving privilege of the person for the period of time ordered by the judge.
D. If a person who is convicted of a violation of this section has been previously convicted of a violation of this section, section 13-1102 or section 13-1103, subsection A, paragraph 1, in the driving of a vehicle, or section 28-694, 28-708, 28-1381, 28-1382 or 28-1383 within a period of twenty-four months:
1. The person is guilty of a class 1 misdemeanor.
2. The person is not eligible for probation, pardon, suspension of sentence or release on any basis until the person has served not less than twenty days in jail.
3. The judge may require the surrender to a police officer of any driver license of the person and shall immediately forward the abstract of conviction to the department.
4. On receipt of the abstract of conviction, the department shall suspend the driving privilege of the person for one year.
E. A person who knowingly aids or abets another person in the commission of a violation of this section is guilty of a class 2 misdemeanor, except that a second or subsequent violation within a period of twenty-four months is a class 1 misdemeanor.
F. In applying the twenty-four month period provision of subsection D of this section, the dates of the commission of the offense shall be the determining factor, irrespective of the sequence in which the offenses were committed. A second or subsequent violation for which a conviction occurs as provided in this section does not include a conviction for an offense arising out of the same series of acts.
G. On pronouncement of a jail sentence under this section, and after the court receives confirmation that the person is employed or is a student, the court may provide in the sentence that if the defendant is employed or is a student the defendant can continue employment or schooling for not more than twelve hours per day nor more than five days per week. The defendant shall spend the remaining days or parts of days in jail until the sentence is served and shall be allowed out of jail only long enough to complete the defendant’s actual hours of employment or schooling.
H. After completing not less than forty-five consecutive days of the suspension period required by subsection D of this section, a person whose driving privilege is suspended for a violation of this section and who is sentenced pursuant to subsection D of this section may apply to the department for a restricted driver license that allows the person to operate a motor vehicle during the period of suspension subject to the restrictions described in section 28-144.
Source: Arizona Revised Statutes § 28-693, Arizona Legislative Council revision of 09/20/25. Read the official text on azleg.gov. Statutes change; verify the current version before relying on it.
Our Guides on This Charge
Written by our defense team on how these cases run in Arizona courts.
- Reckless Driving Lawyer in Arizona: When Do You Need One?
- Wet Reckless in Arizona: Reducing a DUI Charge
- Arizona Traffic Offenses
Related Statutes in Title 28 — Criminal Traffic
- A.R.S. § 28-695 — Aggressive driving
- A.R.S. § 28-708 — Racing on highways
- A.R.S. § 28-676 — Causing serious physical injury by use of a vehicle
- A.R.S. § 28-675 — Causing death by use of a vehicle
- A.R.S. § 28-672 — Causing serious physical injury or death by a moving violation
- A.R.S. § 28-664 — Duty on striking unattended vehicle
- A.R.S. § 28-663 — Duty to give information and assistance
- A.R.S. § 28-662 — Accidents involving damage to vehicle
How Tamou Law Group Defends § 28-693 Cases
A § 28-693 case is decided by the paragraph the State charged, not by the statute as a whole. We start with the charging document and the disclosure, identify which subsection the prosecutor has to prove, and test whether the evidence actually reaches every element of it. Where the class turns on a fact such as value, an alleged injury, a prior conviction or the identity of the person involved, that fact is frequently the difference between a class 1 through 2 misdemeanor and something far less serious, and it is where these cases are won.
We handle reckless driving cases across Maricopa County and statewide, from our Scottsdale and Phoenix offices. Call 623-321-4699 any time, or read the statute in full above before you speak to anyone about the case.
Awards & Recognition
Our recognition for Phoenix DUI defense is independently verified, click any award to confirm it:
- National Trial Lawyers Top 100
- National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40
- Elite Lawyer 2026 – Criminal Defense
- Super Lawyers – Southwest
- National College for DUI Defense (NCDD)
When you are looking for the best Phoenix DUI lawyers, these are the independently verified credentials that matter, earned by Founding Attorney Michael Tamou and a full team of attorneys, including former prosecutors, public defenders, and law enforcement.
What Clients Say About Tamou Law
Real Google reviews from clients we have defended across Phoenix and Maricopa County. Every review is from a criminal defense client, never padded with non-legal work.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is A.R.S. § 28-693?
A.R.S. § 28-693 is the Arizona statute on reckless driving. A violation is a class 1 through 2 misdemeanor, and which class applies depends on the paragraph charged and the facts the State can prove.
Is a violation of § 28-693 a felony in Arizona?
No. Under the statute a violation is a class 1 through 2 misdemeanor, so the exposure reaches up to 6 months in jail. The paragraph charged and the facts decide which class applies.
What is the maximum penalty for a class 1 misdemeanor?
A.R.S. 13-707 caps jail at 6 months for a class 1 misdemeanor and A.R.S. 13-802 caps the fine at $2,500, before surcharges. A judge may also impose probation and other conditions.
Where can I read the official text of § 28-693?
The Arizona Legislature publishes it at azleg.gov, in the revision dated 09/20/25. The complete text is reproduced on this page, and every Arizona criminal statute is searchable on our Arizona Criminal Code index.
Two Arizona Offices, One Team
We serve all of Maricopa County and the surrounding area, with free, confidential consultations 24/7 by phone and in-person meetings at either office by appointment.
Case Results Disclaimer: The results described on this page are based on specific facts and circumstances and do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome in any future case. Every case is different. Past results do not guarantee future results. No attorney-client relationship is formed by viewing this page or submitting a contact form until a written fee agreement has been signed. Tamou Law Group, PLLC is licensed to practice law in the State of Arizona. This website is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.