Consequences of DUIs in Arizona

Every state in the US has some type of law in place to deter citizens from operating a vehicle after consuming alcohol. Driving while impaired can have deadly consequences, for the driver and others. For this reason, the legal ramifications of a DUI in Arizona are serious and costly.

 

The Legal Limit

 

Arizona law prohibits anyone from operating a vehicle if they have a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 or greater, which is the standard measurement of intoxication in the United States. It is important to note that most people become impaired at 0.05. Although there are a number of variables playing a role, reaching that limit happens quite quickly.

 

A First Offence and Conviction

 

Before getting behind the wheel after drinking alcohol, consider the consequences of a first conviction. A first DUI in Arizona is no small thing and will have a lasting impact on your record and wallet.

 

• Increased insurance rates
• Legal defense costs
• Jail time of 24 hours to 10 Days
• Suspension of license from 90 to 360 days
• Base Fine of $250
• Arizona DUI surcharge of $200
• Probation surcharge $10
• Prison construction assessment charge $500
• Arizona Xtra DUI assessment $500
• Installation of ignition interlock devise at the cost of offender
• Community service
• Life long criminal record, which will negatively impact employment

 

A Second DUI Offence and Conviction

 

A second DUI conviction will seriously impact the driver's rights to operate a vehicle for a substantial amount of time as well as an increase of fees and other serious consequences.

 

• Increased insurance rates
• Legal defense costs
• Jail time of 30 to 90 days
• Suspension of drivers license for one year
• Base fine $500
• Arizona DUI surcharge $400
• Probation surcharge  $10
• Prison construction assessment charge $1,250
• Arizona Xtra DUI assessment $1,250
• Installation of ignition interlock devise at the cost of offender
• Community service
• The completion of a alcohol or drug screening, education or treatment program
• Life long criminal record, which will negatively impact employment

 

A Third DUI Offence and Conviction

 

Those charged with driving under the influence for a third time within 84 months of a prior conviction will face some serious and lasting repercussions. While the possibility of causing injury is a significant deterrent, the long-term impact of a third Arizona DUI conviction will seriously impact a driver's future. These are some of the short-term and long-term consequences of a third DUI:

 

• Increased insurance rates
• Legal defense costs
• Jail time of at least 4 months
• Suspension of drivers license for one year
• Base fine $750
• Arizona DUI surcharge $600
• Probation surcharge  $10
• DUI abatement fee $250
• Prison construction assessment charge $1,500
• Arizona Xtra DUI assessment $1,500
• Installation of ignition interlock devise at the cost of offender
• Community service
• Court ordered substance abuse counseling 
• Life long criminal record, which will negatively impact employment

 

Extreme DUI Convictions

 

Divers convicted of operating a vehicle within two hours of having a blood alcohol content of 0.15 or higher will be charged with an "Extreme DUI", a criminal misdemeanor.

Penalties of a First Extreme DUI Conviction

 

• Increased insurance rates
• Legal defense costs
• $900 fine
• DUI assessment fee $200
• Extreme DUI assessment fee $1,250
• Prison construction assessment charge $1,500
• Probation for up to 5 years
• Suspension of drivers license for one year
• Installation of ignition interlock devise at the cost of offender
• Community service
• Court ordered substance abuse counseling  
• Life long criminal record, which will negatively impact employment

 

Penalties of a Second Extreme DUI Conviction

 

• Increased insurance rates
• Legal defense costs
• $450 fine
• DUI assessment fee $250
• Extreme DUI assessment fee $1,000
• Prison construction assessment charge $1,500
• Probation for up to 5 years
• Suspension of drivers license for one year
• Installation of ignition interlock devise at the cost of offender
• Community service
• Court ordered substance abuse counseling 
• Life long criminal record, which will negatively impact employment

 

Aggravated DUI Felony
Divers may get an aggravated DUI under several circumstances:

 

• Committing a normal misdemeanor DUI with two or more previous convictions in the last 5 years
• The conviction of a normal misdemeanor while driving with a revoked, cancelled or refused license
• The conviction of a normal misdemeanor with a child under 15 in the car

 

The penalties for and aggravated DUI include:

 

• Increased insurance rates
• Legal defense costs
• Jail time of up to 2.5 years
• $750 fine
• DUI assessment fee $250
• Extreme DUI assessment fee $1, 500
• Prison construction assessment charge $1,500
• Probation for up to 5 years
• Suspension of drivers license for three years
• Installation of ignition interlock devise at the cost of offender
• Community service
• Court ordered substance abuse counseling 
• Life long criminal record, which will negatively impact employment

 

These guidelines suppose that the driver has a clean record. A prior record can significantly impact a sentence.

 

DUIs result in Two Cases

 

Most people convicted of a DUI do not realize that a conviction will result in two separate cases. One case will be a criminal case, the other to save your license and  attempt to mitigate some of the more severe penalties.

 

Arizona DUI Laws Change Frequently

 

The law in Arizona pertaining to DUIs change frequently, usually becoming more stringent. It is safe to say, however, that a DUI conviction will likely result in stiff fines, a criminal record and serious limitation of freedom.