DUI Defense Attorneys in Phoenix

First Time DUI

A first-time misdemeanor DUI in Arizona usually means driving with a blood alcohol level of 0.08% or higher, but it’s not just about the numbers. You can also get a DUI if you’re driving under the influence of any substance and seem even a bit impaired. If a police officer thinks you’re “impaired to the slightest degree,” they can arrest you for DUI.

Now, if you’re convicted of this standard misdemeanor DUI for the first time, here’s what you can expect: 

1. Possible Jail Time: You could spend up to 10 days in jail.
2. Community Service: You’ll likely need to do community service.
3. Fines: You might have to pay fines that can go as high as $2,500.
4. Driving Course: You’ll have to take a mandatory driving course.
5. Ignition Interlock Device: You’ll also need to use a special device in your car called a Certified Ignition Interlock Device (CIID) for at least a year. This device checks your blood alcohol level before letting you start your car.

That’s not all; there are administrative penalties too, like losing your driver’s license for up to 90 days. But here’s a tip: sometimes, if you agree to regular drug and alcohol screenings, you can reduce the license suspension to just 30 days. But you’ve got to act fast because your lawyer only has a short time to make this happen. So, if you find yourself in this situation, it’s crucial to act quickly and get legal help.

If you’re arrested for a DUI/DWI in Arizona within 7 years of a previous DUI/DWI conviction, you’ll be facing a second offense DUI in the state. Here’s what you need to know:

Second DUI

What Leads to a Second DUI in Arizona? To be charged with a second DUI, two things must be true:

1. You were arrested for any type of DUI, whether it’s related to alcohol or drugs.
2. You have a prior DUI conviction on your record within the last seven years, counting from the dates of your arrests in both cases.

Now, if you do have a prior DUI conviction within seven years, it counts as your second offense, regardless of whether it was the same type or severity of DUI. If the previous DUI conviction is beyond the seven-year mark, it’s considered a first-time offense, but it can still be used to potentially increase your jail time.

Important Note: The law says that any time spent in custody for any reason doesn’t count towards the seven-year calculation. So, it’s not enough to just look at the dates of arrest.
 

Extreme DUI

What’s an Extreme DUI? If your BAC measures .15% or higher within two hours of driving, you could be facing an Extreme DUI charge. It doesn’t matter if it’s your first DUI; the penalties are still tough.

Here’s what you could be up against:

1. Mandatory minimum jail time. You’ll have to spend at least 30 days in jail.
2. Costly fines. Be prepared to pay over $2500 in fines and jail expenses. It could even go up to $10,000.
3. Alcohol classes. You’ll have to attend mandatory alcohol classes and undergo screening.
4. Ignition interlock device. You’ll need to install an Ignition Interlock Device on your car for a year, which costs around $1500.
5. Community service. Expect to complete community service.
6. Driver’s license suspension. Your driver’s license will be suspended for 90 days.

Now, there’s a chance you might be eligible for a 21-day suspension of your jail sentence. But here’s the catch: it’s not guaranteed. The court decides whether you get this option. If you do, you’ll still need to serve 9 days in jail.

So, an Extreme DUI in Arizona is a big deal with hefty consequences. It’s always a good idea to avoid drinking and driving to steer clear of these serious penalties.