After pulling over a vehicle for a civil traffic violation, how long do you have to issue a citation if called to assist on a felony stop?

When a peace officer pulls over a vehicle for a civil traffic violation and is subsequently called to assist with a felony stop, the timeframe to issue the citation is critical. Under Arizona law, an officer has 60 days to issue a citation for the civil traffic violation, recognizing that circumstances may require the officer’s immediate attention to a more serious event, such as a felony stop.

In addition to this initial timeframe for issuance, officers have up to 90 days to serve the violation. This means that the enforcement of the citation can take place within this extended period, ensuring that the citation is appropriately administered even if circumstances have prevented immediate processing.

This structure balances the need for timely enforcement of traffic laws while allowing for flexibility in the event of emergency situations, such as a felony stop that requires immediate attention.