When you are suspected of DUI in Arizona, you could end up spending up to 10 days in jail if you do not have the help of an experienced DUI attorney. It is important to get a skilled DUI criminal defense attorney’s guidance and support for your case from the very beginning, to avoid the worst of the DUI charges, penalties and process.
Throughout the United States, Arizona is known for having the toughest DUI penalties.
Why it Is Important to Have an Experienced DUI Attorney
When a police officer stops you for suspected impaired driving in Arizona, you may be administered one or more tests to determine whether you have been drinking or using drugs. One of these tests may be a breathalyzer. If your breath test registers alcohol concentration above the legal limit of 0.08 percent, you can be arrested and taken to jail. When you are charged with misdemeanor Standard DUI for a blood alcohol content of above 0.08 percent, you will be scheduled to appear before a judge in court. The same will be true for higher charges of Extreme DUI and Super Extreme DUI, although these cases may be felonies.
Before going to court, you will need the help of a criminal defense attorney. DUI is a very serious matter in Arizona and such a lawyer will guide you through the court process and what you can expect as part of sentencing, penalties and processes of the court.
By Arizona law, first time DUI offenders are required to serve jail time. The law also requires a 90-day suspension of a person’s driver’s license, as well as payment of $1,800 in fines. Jail costs are also the responsibility of the DUI offender. Beyond all of these penalties, Arizona law requires installation of an ignition interlock device on the defendant’s personal vehicle(s). This will remain on the vehicle for a year or more, depending upon the DUI classification. Community service, substance abuse counseling and driver education are other possible penalties.
With the help of a skilled DUI criminal defense attorney, you may be able to gain dismissed or reduced charges, or possibly reduced penalties.
Arizona DUI Penalties
Drivers convicted in Arizona for the first time will likely receive the following penalties for DUI:
Misdemeanor / Standard DUI
0.08 to 0.149 Blood Alcohol Content
- 90 day suspension of your driver’s license
- 10 days in city or county jail
- Alcohol screening and classes
- Installation of an ignition interlock device at your expense for one year
- Over $1500 in fines
Extreme DUI
0.15 to 0.199 Blood Alcohol Content
- 90 day suspension of your driver’s license
- 30 days in city or county jail
- Alcohol screening and classes
- Installation of an ignition interlock device at your expense for one year
- Over $2,700 in fines
Super Extreme DUI
0.20 Blood Alcohol Content or Higher
- 90 day suspension of your driver’s license
- 45 days in jail
- Alcohol screening and classes
- Installation of an ignition interlock device at your expense for 18 months
- Over $3,200 in fines
First Offense Aggravated DUI
When drivers are convicted of their third DUI in seven years, or charged with DUI when their license was already suspended or charged with DUI while a child under 15 years old was a passenger in the car, an Aggravated DUI may be charged. These are very serious charges leading to more serious penalties than Standard, Extreme or Super Extreme DUI.
- Driver’s license revocation
- Felony conviction
- Minimum four months in prison, for a third DUI in seven years or a DUI with a suspended license
- Alcohol screening and classes
- Installation of an ignition interlock device
For aggravated DUI cases, you need to call a DUI defense lawyer right away. Your future relies upon having an experienced criminal defense lawyer on your side.
Fight Your DUI Charges with the Help of a Skilled Arizona DUI Lawyer
DUI cases present high risk for your driving privileges, work, freedom and future. Because so much is at stake, it is very important that you hire an Arizona DUI lawyer who knows state laws inside and out. This lawyer will defend your rights in court, using the law to help you maintain control of your life. Each of the lawyers and other staff professionals of the Law Offices of David Michael Cantor have years of experience in Arizona DUI Court.
