Know the Potential Penalties for Extreme DUI in Arizona
The penalties for drinking and driving in Arizona are serious enough, but those convicted of extreme DUI face even greater legal penalties.
August 22, 2012
The penalties for drinking and driving in Arizona are serious. Not only do people who are convicted of DUI face fines and jail time, they may also face non-legal consequences, such as potential job-application and student loan issues as well as public embarrassment. Those who are pulled over for extreme DUI in Arizona face even greater legal penalties, and therefore the stakes to protect their legal rights are even higher.Arizona Extreme DUI Laws
In Arizona, a driver can be charged with extreme DUI if the driver has actual physical control of a vehicle and has a blood alcohol concentration of 0.15 or greater while in control of the vehicle or within two hours of driving. The penalties for extreme DUI differ depending on the driver's alcohol concentration. The penalties for a driver who has been found to have an alcohol concentration of 0.15 or more but less than 0.20 faces a minimum of 30 days in jail and must pay the costs of incarceration together with a minimum fine of $250, while the penalties for a driver who was found to have an alcohol concentration of 0.20 or more faces even greater penalties.
A driver convicted of DUI with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.20 or more faces a minimum fine $500 and a minimum jail sentence of 45 days. Individuals convicted of extreme DUI face other legal penalties in addition to fines and jail time.
A person convicted of extreme DUI may also be required to equip any motor vehicle he or she uses with an ignition interlock device. The driver also faces two additional fines. The driver may be required to pay a $1000 fine to the Arizona DUI Abatement Fund and a $1000 fine to the State Prison Fund. Finally, the driver may also be required to complete community service.
Should a driver be convicted with another DUI violation of any kind within seven years of the extreme DUI conviction, he or she will face harsher legal penalties. A driver with a second violation within seven years faces at least 120 days in jail and at least $500 in fines along with other mandatory penalties.
Consulting with an experienced DUI attorney can help an individual charged with extreme DUI understand what to expect based on the results of alcohol-screening, previous convictions and the police report. A DUI attorney can help protect a defendant's rights no matter if the individual is suspected of a first or repeat offense.
Article provided by Law Offices of Keith S. Knochel, P.C.
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