Hiring Street Racing Defense Attorney In Arizona

The general public’s perception of street racing has been altered by blockbuster Hollywood flicks such as The Fast and The Furious. It’s not just fiction, as it happens much too often in real life, but most of the time, it’s just two individuals racing each other at a red light. The flashy cars with gangsters and models in the middle of the night are exaggerated pictures painted by Hollywood. Attorneys in criminal defense firms specializing in illegal street racing cases have constantly stated that they’re often amazed at how many sober adults can be taken over by their impulse to speed their car.

That is not to say, however, that organized street racing does not take place. Just that it’s a bit more covert. There are various types of street races, such as drag racing, drifting, burnout, etc. Sometimes, it can be a teenager who has just got a new car. On other occasions, it’s adults who get into an ego battle at the red light. The common thing among all these cases is that the life of those who get involved in illegal street racing can take a turn for the worse.

What is Street Racing?

As mentioned before, there are various types of street races such as drag, drifting, and whatnot. But what is the legal definition of illegal street racing? Legally, illegal street racing is the unsanctioned speeding of two or more cars on public roads. These can be coordinated or unplanned. Another aspect of illegal street racing is illegally modified cars. These cars are illegally modified to increase their overall speed and acceleration. These modifications are considered “cop-magnets”, and one can get into a lot of trouble if their illegal modifications to their cars are discovered by authorities.

Organized street racing mostly occurs in residential areas where there are a lot of open roads. These races are usually organized late at night to avoid traffic and unwanted attention. The unplanned street races often involve people with no criminal background who get into an unwarranted competition with each other.

The Legal Consequences

There are severe legal consequences of illegal street racing. The nitty-gritty of laws around illegal street racing varies from state to state. For instance, in Indiana, illegal street racing can result in a Class B misdemeanor, class A misdemeanor, or even a class 5 felony. The penalty will depend upon the state and the circumstances. If the act of illegal street racing causes injury or death, it can lead to serious charges and jail time. If the individual in question is a repeated offender, the charges may be even more severe. The penalties of illegal street racing can include fines up to $10000 and jail time. A class B misdemeanor can result in a fine of $1000 and 180 days of jail time. If a person is indirectly involved in or facilitates a street race in any way, they can also be charged and punished. This can include the placement of objects such as cones to facilitate a street race.

As most cases of illegal street racing are a first-degree misdemeanor, the first offense in most states more often than not includes fines up to $2000, community service, jail time up to 1 year, and the revocation of one’s driving license for a certain period of time. If the offense is repeated within 5 years of the first incident, the punishment can include heavy fines up to $10000, longer jail time, and revocation of one’s driving license for 2 years. If the offense is repeated multiple times, the street racer can find themselves in jail for over 3 years with permanent revocation of their driver’s license. Apart from that, the vehicle involved in the race can also be seized by the authorities.

Risks Associated with Street Racing

Illegal street racing is hazardous for pedestrians and other drivers on the street. Street racers not only put themselves in danger but also threaten the lives of others on the road. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration identifies four risks that are associated with street racing:
Street Racing increases the chance of a driver losing control.
Most modern cars come with safety equipment such as airbags. However, such equipment is rendered useless if one goes above a certain speed limit.
The driver has less time to react to any obstacle or pedestrian.
Street racing involves speeding cars, which in turn increases the severity of crashes.

If anyone is killed during a street race, the driver can be charged with second-degree murder and manslaughter. Street racing can ruin someone else’s and one’s own life in an instance.

Illegal Street Racing: Exaggeration or Reality?

The world of organized illegal street racing may not be that exaggerated. Most illegal street racers who participate in underground races drive modified imports. These races take place in isolated locations in a very covert manner. Moreover, as evident in online chat rooms and web pages hosted by street racers, there are certain rules that even these guys follow. Experienced illegal street racers rarely agree to a race if they think it is unsafe. They do not race with someone in the passenger seat. They do not race with someone else’s car. Organized illegal street racing exists, but it is not like what is shown on the big screens.

Hiring a Street Racing Attorney

If you find yourself involved in an illegal street racing incident, you must immediately hire a street racing attorney. Your attorney can best advise you on how to go about your trial. That way, you can reduce the severity of the legal consequences that you might face. Your attorney can even convince the prosecuting party to have an out-of-court settlement. These settlements can benefit both the prosecution and the defense.

The team receives ample financial benefits to cover their damages. On the other hand, the defendant is saved from having their work life and personal life ruined. However, it is important to remember that you should call a criminal lawyer very quickly if you find yourself in such a scenario. Any delay in hiring an attorney will only handicap you in the court of law.

You can visit https://arizonacriminalattorney.co/mesa/ for more information.

The Hogle Law Firm in Mesa
1013 S Stapley Dr.
Mesa AZ 85204
(480) 999-5334

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