What Happens To First Time Offenders in Arizona?

There are two common DUI charges in the state of Arizona. You can be charged and convicted of a DUI if you are found driving while impaired, and found with an blood alcohol content of 0.08 or higher within 2 hours of driving arrest. The state prosecutions office normally charges DUI offenders with both counts. Arresting officers normally seize the drivers license immediately upon suspicion of a DUI and a revocation for a period of 90 days up to two years is recommended, depending on the DUI arrest history and circumstance of the DUI charge.

The state of Arizona carries a minimum penitentiary sentence of 30 days with first time offenders eligible for a 20 day sentence suspension on certain parole terms. There is also a $250 fine and a required alcohol and drug consumption evaluation. There is a 90% guilty plea rate for all DUI charges in the state of Arizona. First time offenders are subject to a minimum of the 10/30 days prison sentence with 9 days of jail time amenable to suspension depending on a judge if you submit to an alcohol drug evaluation, enroll in an alcohol education program or submit to alcohol dependence rehabilitation.

The state of Arizona demands a $250 fine but an additional surcharge is listed for the DUI abatement fund, the maximum fine with surcharges can reach up to $2500 plus other court appointed fees. The MVD will suspend your licenses with no contest for the next 90 days, you can get the least sentencing time of one day if you agree to a counseling and skip out on total jail time if you agree to a probation settlement where you will be placed under review for a minimum of one year but not more than five years.

For Extreme DUI charges ( BAC count of .15% or higher) the Court may suspend 20 of the 30 day charge at most upon agreement to treatment and drug evaluation, shouldered by the defendant. An ignition interlock device is also court ordered. Extreme DUI is still considered a misdemeanor and does not count as a felony charge in the state of Arizona.

Refusal to undergo chemical testing will automatically revoke your driving license for a year, regardless of conviction for a DUI charge. All first time offenders for DUI are complied to submit with alcohol abuse assessment to gain the minimum jail time which is one out of the 30 days for a convicted DUI arrest. Non-injury and non-fatality DUI cases and First time arrests for DUI charges are eligible for a sixty day restricted license following the first 30 days of suspension.

A restricted driver’s license allows the driver to operate a motor vehicle to and from work, medical appointments, and counseling sessions.

Under 21
DUI charges for minors in the state carry heavier penalties and stricter protocol, where someone above .01 BAC under 21 years of age can be charged of a DUI. Once convicted the minor will have to serve 10 days in jail, perform community service and pay the appropriate court appointed fines.

Get DUI Help: Repeat Offenses for DUI Arrests

There are grave implications for a DUI conviction, both criminally with the DMV in the state of Arizona. Your driving capability will be put into question and a DUI charge will be taken into consideration if you decide to get licensing to drive commercial motor vehicle. Repeat offenses can cause a permanent revocation of license and put you on black lists for employment agencies that require driving competency as a job skill.

A conviction for DUI has long-standing consequences with your governmental records and will determine sentencing and fines for future DUI offenses. Afforded privileges such as the appointment of restricted license may be waived by a judge and you may lose your driving liberties altogether.

Arizona considers previous conviction records for DUI as requisite to suitable sentencing, which means that you can expect harsher penalties and increased jail time if you are convicted of a DUI charge the second time and even more if you are convicted yet again. Arizona has a looking window policy where it reviews if you have outstanding convictions for DUI in parent and neighboring states for a period of time, to be considered as part of your criminal record for DUI. The BAC records of previous convictions are also taken into concern, where BAC testing results and will put you in higher accountability if you were convicted within the “extremely intoxicated” classification. At this point the court will appoint mandatory drug testing and enrollment in an alcohol and or substance abuse treatment facility as part of your sentencing, paid for by you.

Recurring offenders will be subject to heavier criminal and administrative penalties which are restricted to the ruling of a prosecuting Judge and may not be clearly stated as it circumstance and deliberation varies per case. Sentencing is more unrestricted as more extenuating state of affairs and repeat offenses are presented, where prosecution will lobby for maximum prison sentencing, extensive community and court appointed fines and fees.

The legal reprimand for repeat DUI offenders who cause public property damage, accidents which direct to bodily harm and fatal outcome will be issued to the maximum prosecutory charge and may incur severe criminal indictment such as Felony DUI which has a broader sentencing definition.

Hire an experienced Arizona DUI Attorney in Arizona Today!

The most imperative part of your defense is hiring a law firm that has a profound understanding of the DUI laws that govern conviction, plea and sentencing for Arizona. For experienced Arizona DUI lawyers or drunken driving defense attorneys, go for the right Arizona DUI attorney that has a profound understanding of DUI laws in Arizona and gain a reliable drunk driving defense. The first consultation is completely confidential and will be free of charge.