Will I Have to Serve Jail Time for My Arizona DUI / DWI?

Arizona law enforcement is known to be tough on DUI and DWI. Simply going out for a few cocktails, enjoying a football game with some beer or having wine with dinner can lead you to facing the frightening charges of DUI. Most of these charges are not caused by erratic driving or obvious drunkenness, but by smaller infractions that bring an officer to your car window in a traffic stop. Burned out taillights, forgetting to turn on your headlights, failure to use a blinker or other small infractions can snowball into a DUI charge very quickly.

The courts are equally renowned for handing down the harshest penalties in the nation for Arizona DUI offenses. With such toughness in regard to these matters, it is easy to assume that you will face some jail time for your Arizona DUI.

When you have the representation of a DUI lawyer in Phoenix AZ after your DUI arrest, you can be assured of a better outcome for your case, than if you “go it alone” or use a general practice attorney. DUI specialized criminal defense lawyers know Arizona DUI laws inside and out, just as judges and prosecutors do. Through years of experience and skill in application of the law, a good DUI lawyer can gain first-time offenders reduced charges, dismissal of the case or other positive outcome.

Penalties of First Offense Arizona Standard DUI

If you are found by law enforcement to be in actual physical control of your vehicle with a blood alcohol level of 0.08 percent or higher, you will likely be charged with driving under the influence. You may also be charged with DUI if you are impaired by drugs, whether they are illicit or prescription medication.

DUI is a Class 1 misdemeanor for a first offense of Standard DUI. You may face the following penalties of your offense:

  • Minimum of 10 days in jail, to a maximum of six months
  • Minimum of $250 in fines with a maximum of $2500 in fees and fines
  • Community service hours are possible
  • Probation may be required for three years
  • Your driver’s license will be suspended for 90 days
  • An ignition interlock device will be required on your personal vehicles for one year

It is possible for nine days of your ten day jail sentence to be suspended with completion of a drug and alcohol assessment and an alcohol education class. With so much involved in your first offense, your best option is to gain representation by an Arizona DUI defense lawyer you can trust.

Penalties of First Offense Arizona Extreme DUI

An Extreme DUI in Arizona is a DUI with a blood alcohol level of 0.15 percent or higher.

Extreme DUI is a Class 1 misdemeanor for a first offense. You may face the following penalties of your offense:

  • Minimum of 30 days in jail, with a mandatory minimum of 45 days in jail if your blood alcohol content is 0.20 percent or higher, to a maximum of six months
  • Minimum of $250 in fines with a maximum of $2500 in fees and fines
  • Community service hours are possible
  • Probation may be required for five years
  • Your driver’s license will be suspended for 90 days
  • An ignition interlock device will be required on your personal vehicles for one year, or up to 18 months if your BAC is over a .20.

Your blood alcohol level will determine the sentence imposed on your for your first offense of Extreme DUI. For an Extreme DUI you need experienced representation by an Arizona DUI defense lawyer you can trust.

Arizona Is Known for Being Aggressive in Prosecution of DUI

Arizona law enforcement and prosecutors are known throughout the country for the most stringent enforcement of DUI laws. The same is true for any kind of impaired driving, such as drug DUI. You cannot expect leniency because it is your first offense, or for anyone to give you a “break” because you ask for one.

DUI is a very serious charge in Arizona and courts are not open to backing down without clear justification for doing so. This is why having an experienced, aggressive and skilled DUI defense lawyer is so important. You should never face DUI charges without this type of lawyer and to do so will most likely result in the harshest sentencing for a case like yours. Having a skilled DUI defense lawyer on your side will benefit you in many ways, particularly through the possibility of having your charges dismissed or reduced.

Refusal to Take a Breathalyzer Test or Blood Test

If you choose to not consent to a breath test or blood test after DUI arrest, the officer may obtain a warrant for a chemical test if there is probable cause to do so. By not consenting to a chemical test – a test through use of your blood, breath or urine – you are looking at the possibility of a one year suspension of your driver’s license.

With so much to lose as part of your DUI offense, it is critical that you have a qualified DUI defense attorney helping you through navigation of what you should do and what you should not do in dealing with law enforcement, the courts, the MVD and other agencies involved in your DUI process.

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