Arizona DUI Laws – Second Offense – Arizona 2nd Offense Drunk Driving Charge

Driving Under the Influence (DUI) – Second or Subsequent Offense

When you are facing the Arizona courts for a second DUI charge, you have every right to be scared. Stiff penalties make a second offense conviction a frightening prospect to face.

The police are extremely aggressive in how they patrol, stop and arrest people on DUI charges. If you’ve had anything to drink, even if you are perfectly fine to drive, and not legally impaired, odds are you will be arrested. Breathalyzer machines have dozens of known flaws. And police are often very biased when performing field sobriety tests. If they’ve decided you could be drunk, they see what they want to see.

As defense attorneys who fight numerous Arizona DUI charges, we understand how it is very possible to be facing a second offense drunk driving charge. Maybe you made a mistake years ago, and plead guilty. But now you are facing the prospect of jail time, and are wondering what your options are.

There is a good chance we can help. Please contact us right away for a consultation on your DUI case. Talking to an experienced Arizona drunk driving defense lawyer can help reduce your stress level, and give you some optimism that you can fight, and win.

Any DUI conviction is a serious matter. However, if you have a drunk driving conviction in your past, it becomes even more critical to have the best DUI defense lawyer in Arizona that you can possibly get.

You should know that The Arizona legislature has written some tough consequences into the laws for repeat DUI offenders. But there are always options, and many tough cases can be won!

Arizona DUI Penalties – Second Offense

Driving Under the Influence (DUI) is a Class 1 misdemeanor under Arizona law.

If convicted of a 2nd (second) offense DUI:

• You will serve a minimum of 90 days in jail. The judge can sentence you to up to 6 months of jail time, though this is not usually the case.
• The judge will require you to pay at least $500 in fines and potentially up to $2,500.
• You will have to complete a minimum of 30 hours community service.
• You will also lose your license for one full year.
• When your license is reinstated, you will be required to have an ignition interlock device for at least 1 year
• You will most likely be required to undergo some drug and alcohol evaluations as well as some treatment or education classes.

You can be charged with a 2nd offense drunk driving DUI for being under the influence of prescription drugs (even if they you are in possession of a legal prescription). Any driving under the influence of drugs can be treated as a second offense.

Ref: Arizona DUI Laws – Second or Subsequent Offense ARS 28-1381

Ignition Interlocking Device

For second or subsequent /DUI convictions, an ignition interlocking device is required by the court when your Arizona driver’s license is eligible to be reinstated. This device will measure your blood alcohol level (through a breath test) before you are able to start the car.

What if I refuse to take the breath test?

If you do not consent to a breath test the officer can get a warrant for a blood test. If you are later convicted on the DUI charge, your license will be suspended for one additional year.

Get Free Legal Advice on An Arizona Second Offense DUI Charge from a Top Defense Lawyer

A DUI conviction of this magnitude can seriously alter your life. There is no way to plan for a jail sentence and it is very hard to work around a one year license revocation. Not all attorneys are created equal and it is times like these when you need the best Arizona DUI lawyer you can find, fighting on your side.

When it seems like everyone is out to get you–you want to be confident that your case is in the best hands and that someone in the system is looking out for your best interests. Call me now to discuss your case today and see how we can help you beat the charges and keep your license and your freedom.

Contact us today to take advantage of your free DUI consultation.