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Criminal Law Info

DUI Defense

Criminal Charges Defended

Arizona DUI Laws

DUI (driving under the influence) is a criminal charge that could happen to almost anyone. Police are extremely aggressive about arresting anyone who might even possibly be drunk. (See this story about the officer who arrested a person for DUI who hadn’t had a single drink.)S8000545.JPG
Creative Commons License photo credit: minimoniotaku

With the police this aggressive and eager to arrest, it’s easy to imagine and understand how it could happen to you. A couple of drinks at dinner, a burnt tail light, and bad knees or feet so you can’t do field sobriety tests. Add those up, and you will find yourself in handcuffs and facing criminal drunk driving charges.

We understand what you are going through. The standard of probable cause for arrest is minuscule, and the criminal just system in Arizona, from the police to the judges & prosecutors, as well as public opinion, are all stacked against you.

When your up against all that, you need the best DUI defense lawyer you can find. Please call us and take advantage of our free DUI defense consultation. We’ll help you make sense of what’s happened to you, lay our your legal options and let you know how to best protect your freedom, your right to drive, and your livelihood.

Arizona DUI Penalties - 1st Offense

Under the law, if you are found in control of a vehicle and your blood alcohol level is .08 or greater, you may be found guilty of Driving Under the Influence (DUI). You can also be charged with DUI if you are impaired and under the influence of any amount of alcohol or impairing drugs, including legal prescription drugs or over the counter medications.

Driving under the influence is a Class 1 misdemeanor for a first offense.

If you are accused of a first offense DUI charge in Arizona you will face the following penalties:

  • Jail time (minimum of 10 days in jail) or suspended sentence. Maximum jail sentence: up to 6 months.
  • Minimum of $250 in fines and up to $2,500 in total fines and fees.
  • Possible community service hours.
  • Probation for 3 years
  • License suspension and required ignition interlock device on your car for 1 year. (See our ignition interlock page).

The real deal: Nine days of your 10 day jail sentence may be suspended in many cases if you complete a drug/alcohol assessment and possibly attend an alcohol education class. However there is judicial sentencing discretion that could result in jail time on a first offense.

Ref: Arizona DUI Laws 1st offense - ARS 28-1381

With the stakes this high, it is important to find the best Arizona DUI defense lawyer you can. Please contact us to find out if we are the right attorneys to help you through this difficult experience.

Arizona Extreme DUI - First Offense Laws & Penalties

An Extreme DUI charge in Arizona is defined as A DUI in which you register a BAC of .15 or higher on a breath test machine. A .15 is more than twice the legal limit in Arizona of .08%.

Extreme DUI / Driving under the influence is a Class 1 misdemeanor for a first offense.

If you are accused of a first offense DUI charge in Arizona you will face the following penalties:

  • Jail time (minimum of 30 days in jail) or suspended sentence. Maximum jail sentence: up to 6 months.
  • Minimum of $250 in fines and up to $2,500 in total fines and fees.
  • Possible community service hours.
  • Probation for 3 years
  • License suspension and required ignition interlock device on your car for 1 year. (See our ignition interlock page).

The real deal: 20 days or your 30 day jail sentence may be suspended in many cases if you complete a drug/alcohol assessment and possibly attend an alcohol education class. But you are still very likely looking at 10 days in jail for this charge.

Call us to find out how we can help with this. (877) 599-0647

What if I Refuse to Take the Breathalyzer 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 taken for one additional year.

With all of the potential repercussions of a DUI conviction, it is vital that you find the right attorney. With the skills and experience our attorneys can offer, you will know that you are in good hands when you contact us. Leave the legal details to an attorney you can trust and call us for a consultation today. Find out for yourself, with no risk, if we at the attorneys for you.