by Zayed Al-Sayyed

Arizona DUI Attorney, Criminal DefenseMay 17, 20210 comments

What You Need to Know about Driving Under Influence (DUI) in Arizona

What does DUI mean?

Driving under the influence (DUI) is an offense committed when a person drives or is in actual physical control of a vehicle while he/she is under the influence of intoxicating liquor, a vapor releasing substance, or any other drugs. Law enforcement officers can ask you to submit to a Blood or Breath test if they have a reasonable basis for believing that you are driving or are in control of a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or any other drug. Where the test shows a blood or breath alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 or more, you are presumed to be under the influence of alcohol and can face a number of penalties.

DUI Penalties

DUI penalties include administrative and criminal penalties that vary depending on the facts of the cases, including:

• BAC results;
• The number of convictions one has previously had; and
• The ages of the people in the vehicle.

Standard DUI

First Offense

The penalties for first-time offenders whose alcohol content is 0.08 or more but less than 0.15 include:

• A minimum jail term of not less than 10 days;
• Fines of at least $250;
• License suspension between 90 days to 1 year;
• An interlock ignition device on the vehicle may be required.

Second offense

The penalties for second-time offenders whose alcohol content is 0.08 or more but less than 0.15 include:

• A minimum jail term of not less than 90 days;
• Fines of at least $500;
• License revocation for one year;
• Ignition interlock device on the vehicle

Extreme DUI

Extreme DUI penalties apply to offenders whose alcohol content is 0.15 or more but less than .20.

First Offense

• A minimum jail term of not less than 30 days;
• Fines of at least $250;
• License suspension between 90 days to 1 year;
• Ignition interlock device on the vehicle.

Second Offense

• A minimum jail term of not less than 120 days;
• Fines of at least $500;
• License revocation for 1 year;
• Ignition interlock device on the vehicle.

Supreme Extreme DUI

Extreme DUI penalties apply to offenders whose alcohol content is more than .20.

First Offense

• A minimum jail term of not less than 45 days;
• Fines of at least $500;
• License suspension between 90 days to 1 year;
• Ignition interlock device on the vehicle.

Second Offense

• A minimum jail term of not less than 180 days;
• Fines of at least $1,000;
• License revocation for 1 year;
• Ignition interlock device on the vehicle

Aggravated DUI – Felony 

A DUI becomes an Aggravated DUI when the alcohol content is .08 or more and one of the following occurs:

• The DUI is committed while the persons driver license or privilege to drive is suspended, cancelled, revoked, or refused;
• The DUI is the persons third DUI within an 84 month (7 year) period;
• The DUI is committed and a person under 15 years of age is in the vehicle;
• The DUI is committed while the person is ordered to equip the vehicle with an ignition interlock;
• The DUI is committed while the person drives the wrong way on a highway.

An Aggravated DUI in Arizona is a class 4 felony that is punishable by 1-3.75 years in prison. Probation is available for a person that is convicted of an Aggravated DUI in Arizona. Probation can be up to four years and requires a 4 month term in prison as a condition of probation.

Conclusion

Driving while intoxicated may have adverse impacts on your family and loved ones and may equally lead to the loss of your finances and jobs. If you are battling with DUI charges, then you will need help from someone who not only comprehends Arizona DUI laws but is also experienced and aggressive and can reach a positive conclusion while fighting for your situation.