DUI Penalties in Arizona
ARIZONA’S BEST DUI DEFENSE
Our Arizona Zero Down DUI Lawyer takes a look at the penalties for a drinking and driving conviction in Arizona. There are different levels and types of DUI convictions in Arizona. Read on to find out what penalties you may be facing if convicted for a DUI in Arizona.
If your future is jeopardized by a DUI conviction, contact Arizona’s best DUI law firm. Don’t let a DUI ruin your life – FREE CONSULTATION with an attorney who will answer questions specific for your case, and offer options and constructive advice.
Almost all of us have been there, you went to the bar, drank a bit more than you intended to, and now it’s time to go home. Maybe you don’t really feel that intoxicated, or your house is just down the road. It can be very tempting to get in your car and drive home rather than call a cab and deal with getting back to your car in the morning. But whenever you make this type of decision, you are risking your life as well as those around you. Driving impaired is a serious crime in Arizona, as evidenced by our DUI laws, which are the strictest in the United States. Read on to learn more about the DUI penalties in Arizona, and you will probably think twice next time before drinking and getting behind the wheel of a car.
Arizona DUI Levels
Misdemeanor DUIs in Arizona
In Arizona, most DUI convictions are misdemeanor offenses. The type of misdemeanor DUI a person is charged with will depend on how much alcohol was in their system at the time of arrest. This is measured in terms of BAC, or blood alcohol content. If your BAC is between .04 and .079, the police officer has the discretion to decide whether you are too impaired to be driving. If your BAC is at least .08, you will be presumed intoxicated. A standard or per se DUI will be issued when the driver’s BAC is between .08 and .149. The next level of DUI is Extreme DUI, which is issued when the driver’s BAC is between .15 and .19. If the driver has BAC of .20 or higher, they will be charged with Super Extreme DUI.
Felony DUI Convictions in AZ
- There is a passenger under 15 years of age in the car when the driver is arrested;
- This is the driver’s 3rd DUI conviction in 7 years;
- The driver currently has an ignition interlock device (IID) installed in their vehicle; or
- The driver is driving on a suspended or revoked driver’s license.
Arizona’s DUI laws don’t only allow for conviction due to impairment from alcohol.
Drug DUI Charges in Arizona
Drivers in Arizona can be arrested for driving under the influence of any type of substance. So while you probably already knew it’s illegal to drive while under the effects of illegal drugs like cocaine or meth, you should also know that certain prescription medications impair your ability to drive enough that you could be charged with DUI if you drive after taking them. Contact an experienced Arizona Drug DUI attorney for a free consultation to discuss your specific case.
Marijuana DUI’s in AZ
Now that recreational marijuana has become legal in Arizona, it’s important to keep in mind that one can be arrested for driving under the influence of marijuana as well. It can be difficult to measure exactly how high someone is, and you can be arrested for driving with any amount of marijuana metabolites in your system. It will be your burden to prove that the amount of metabolites in your system wasn’t actually enough to impair you. Marijuana metabolites can remain in your system for days and even weeks after use.
Arizona DUI Penalties
Arizona DUI penalties have penalty ranges based on the level of DUI someone has been charged with. The judge may lean towards the heavier side of your penalties if your BAC was higher on the range, you were acting particularly recklessly, you injured someone or destroyed property, etc.
Experienced attorneys and staff at Arizona Zero DOWN DUI provide the most professional legal service in Arizona. Contact our office to consult with a DUI lawyer concerning your DUI charges.
Per Se DUI (.08 – .149)
First Conviction
» Jail Sentence: 10 days mandatory, up to 9 can be commuted
» Fines and Court Costs: minimum $1,480
» Driver’s License Penalties: Suspension of at least 90 days
» IID Use: 1 year mandatory but possibility for 6 month reduction
Second Conviction
» Jail Sentence: 90 days, 30 may be commuted but 30 must be served consecutively
» Fines and Court Costs: minimum $3,000
» Driver’s License Penalties: 1 year revocation but possibility of restricted license after 45 days
» IID Use: 1 year mandatory
Third Conviction (Felony if within 7 years)
» Prison Sentence: 4 months mandatory
» Fines and Court Costs: minimum $4,000
» Driver’s License Penalties: 1 year minimum revocation
» IID Use: 2 years mandatory
Extreme DUI (.15 – .19)
First Conviction
» Jail Sentence: 30 days minimum, all but 9 may be commuted
» Fines and Court Costs: minimum $3,000
» Driver’s License Penalties: Suspension of at least 90 days
» IID Use: 1 year mandatory
Second Conviction
» Jail Sentence: 120 days minimum, 60 days must be served consecutively
» Fines and Court Costs: minimum $3,250
» Driver’s License Penalties: 1 year revocation but possibility of restricted license after 45 days
» IID Use: 1 year mandatory
Third Conviction (Felony if within 7 years)
» Prison Sentence: 4 months mandatory
» Fines and Court Costs: minimum $4,000
» Driver’s License Penalties: 1 year minimum revocation
» IID Use: 2 years mandatory
Super Extreme DUI (.20 +)
First Conviction
» Jail Sentence: 45 days minimum, all but 14 may be commuted
» Fines and Court Costs: minimum $3,250
» Driver’s License Penalties: Suspension of at least 90 days
» IID Use: 1 year mandatory
Second Conviction
» Jail Sentence: 180 days minimum, 90 must be served consecutively
» Fines and Court Costs: minimum $4,250
» Driver’s License Penalties: 1 year revocation but possibility of restricted license after 45 days
» IID Use: 1 year mandatory
Third Conviction (Felony if within 7 years)
» Prison Sentence: 4 months mandatory
» Fines and Court Costs: minimum $4,000
» Driver’s License Penalties: 1 year minimum revocation
» IID Use: 2 years mandatory
There are other hidden penalties that come with an Arizona DUI conviction. First, you may need to pay to install your IID into your vehicle, and you will need to pay a monthly fee for it as well. You will also need to maintain high-risk auto insurance, which will cost at least twice as much as you currently pay for car insurance. You will need to complete community service, which is generally at least 30 hours. Furthermore, you may also need to pay reparations to anyone you injured or whose property you damaged.
Insurance Premiums and DUI Arrests in Arizona
DUI CHARGES IN ARIZONA
If you are charged with a DUI or Drunk Driving in Maricopa, Pima, or Pinal County, you should consult with an Arizona DUI attorney or criminal defense lawyer right away.
Don’t delay, and Don’t just take a plea. Fight for your freedoms. There may be defenses in your case that could mitigate the impact a DUI arrest can have on your life.
Another possible consequence of driving under the influence in Arizona is it could also increase your Auto Insurance Premiums. Plus, a criminal DUI in Arizona requires a driver to get what is called an SR-22 or a certificate of insurance. SR-22 insurance is more expensive than regular insurance. However, an SR-22 is a vehicle liability insurance document required by AZ MVD. These higher insurance premiums preclude some people arrested for DUI/DWI from getting insurance. Without an SR-22, a person arrested for a criminal DUI can not legally drive.
The Best Way to Avoid a DUI in Arizona is to not drive.
Perhaps the easiest way to avoid the temptation of driving while drunk is to leave your vehicle at home. Though that seems like a stupid idea, the consequences are too severe. Plus, with the prevalence of ride-sharing services these days, you don’t need to take your car with you every time you want to go have a drink with friends or stop by after work for a happy hour.
Just don’t drive. Best practice is to: Leave the car keys at home, grab an Uber, ride with a friend, be safe and enjoy your night out without endangering yourself or anyone else. Plus, in the long run, you’ll be happy that you aren’t facing consequences for a poor decision.
In Arizona, driving under the influence of alcohol is never acceptable. Drinking and then driving puts you and numerous other drivers and passengers in danger. On top of all that, you could quickly find yourself in a legal nightmare if you’re arrested for drunk driving.
If it’s too late and you’ve already made that mistake, you need to face the charges properly and promptly. Allow our experienced AZ DUI Attorneys help you get a fair sentence from the court. Reach out to us today to learn about our Arizona DUI services.
Aggressive Representation. Affordable Rates
With all the potential negative consequences you face after an Arizona DUI arrest, you shouldn’t leave your fate in the hands of just anyone. A quality attorney could mean the difference between the minimum and maximum for your penalty range, or even having your charges reduced or dismissed. These kinds of results can save you so much time and stress over the course of the rest of your life. Our Arizona criminal defense team has years of experience helping those arrested for DUI minimize the arrest’s impact on their lives. Our Arizona DUI Team will help you move past your charges and onward with a bright future. To learn more about what our legal team can do for you, call to schedule your free consultation at 480-833-8000.
