There is no time to waste — and there are very powerful incentives — for pursuing quality legal counsel and representation if you have been charged with drunk driving in Arizona. Our state is well known for its strict anti-DUI policies and laws. Even a first offense can have very serious consequences both short term and for years to come.
Remember that drinking and driving is not a crime — only driving under the influence of alcohol at certain levels in your body is illegal. So should you take the breath test when arrested? Driving on an Arizona driver's license carries with it the legal principle of implied consent to testing. In a nutshell, though, remember that you do not have to take a test by the side of the road. You do, however, need to submit to blood, breath or urine testing back at the jail to avoid losing your driver's license for up to two years.
A DUI conviction in Arizona will carry with it a mandatory sentence depending on factors such as your blood alcohol content and any prior record. A partial listing of summarized mandatory penalties is as follows:
- First offense for slightest impairment with a measured .08 blood alcohol content (BAC): 10 to 180 days in jail, approximately $1,800 in fines plus jail costs, suspension of your driver's license for 90 days, substance abuse evaluation, possible probation for up to five years, possible community service, ignition interlock device for 12 months
- Second offense for slightest impairment with a measured .08 blood alcohol content (BAC): 90 to 180 days in jail, approximately $3,500 in fines plus jail costs, revocation of your driver's license for at least one year with no possibility of a work permit, substance abuse evaluation, possible probation for up to five years, 30 hours of community service, ignition interlock device for 12 months
- First offense for extreme DUI with a measured .150-.199 blood alcohol content (BAC): 30 to 180 days in jail, approximately $3,000 in fines plus jail costs, suspension of your driver's license for 90 days, substance abuse evaluation, possible probation for up to five years, possible community service, ignition interlock device for 12 months
- Second offense for extreme DUI with a measured .150-.199 blood alcohol content (BAC): 120 to 180 days in jail, approximately $3,750 in fines plus jail costs, revocation of your driver's license for one year, substance abuse evaluation, possible probation for up to five years, 30 hours of community service, ignition interlock device for 12 months
- First offense for super extreme DUI with a measured .2 blood alcohol content (BAC): 45 to 180 days in jail, approximately $3,250 in fines plus jail costs, suspension of your driver's license for 90 days, substance abuse evaluation, possible probation for up to five years, possible community service, ignition interlock device for 18 months
- Second offense for super extreme DUI with a measured .2 blood alcohol content (BAC): 180 days in jail, approximately $4,000 in fines plus jail costs, revocation of your driver's license for one year, substance abuse evaluation, possible probation for up to five years, ignition interlock device for 24 months
- Class 4 or Class 6 felony aggravated DUI: four months in prison; up to $150,000 in fines plus surcharges, revocation of your driver's license for three years, ignition interlock device required
Note that any measured quantity of illegal drugs in your body counts as severely as .08 BAC even if you are not impaired. This includes prescription drugs obtained or transported illegally.
Contact a Flagstaff DUI Attorney to Fight Mandatory Minimum DUI Penalties
Springer Law Firm has experience and gets results. If you have been charged with drinking and driving, defense on your behalf is critical. Contact an Arizona DUI lawyer today.
