Have You Been Charged With a Misdemeanor Extreme DUI?

The DUI laws in the state of Arizona include particular “per se” DUI offenses that come with strict criminal liability when the accused is found to be at or exceeding the set blood alcohol content or BAC level.

Any DUI charge should be taken seriously because of its dire consequences; more so if it is a Extreme DUI that carries the harsh penalties. When facing a misdemeanor DUI, contact Robert A. Dodell, Attorney at Law right away.

What Is an Arizona Extreme DUI?

ARS 28-1382A1, more commonly known as the Arizona Extreme DUI, is the most severe DUI misdemeanor charge you can possibly face. It comes with extremely tough mandatory minimum DUI consequences and penalties. You can be charged with aN extreme DUI if you have a blood alcohol content level that is 0.15 or more, but less than 0.20.

According to the state’s Extreme DUI law, it is considered illegal to have a BAC reading of 0.15 or more, but less than 0.20 within two hours of driving. Additionally, you must have consumed the alcohol while or before you had the motor vehicle’s actual physical control.

Misdemeanor Extreme DUI Attorney in Scottsdale Presentation

Understanding the Arizona Law Difference Between Extreme DUI and Aggravated DUI

If you are in the State of Arizona, it is important that you understand the different charges that are related to driving under the influence of alcohol or other mind-altering substances. Being charged with a DUI is a serious offense, and it can be even more so depending on the type of charges.

For instance, the difference in the terminology often confuses many people. There is a difference between the terms Extreme DUI and Aggravated DUI. Either way, if you are charged with these offenses, it is vital that you understand the charge and how to defend yourself against it with a professional attorney by your side.

So an Extreme or Super Extreme DUI charge is a misdemeanor. An Aggravated DUI charge is a felony. Both a quite serious and the consequences are life changing. You will be able to start planning your defense. Find an excellent attorney in your community who is familiar with DUI cases. Make sure to investigate the reputation of the law firm to ensure you are going to get a good representation in the legal process.Being charged with a DUI is a serious matter. You need to make sure that you are able to get the legal assistance necessary to keep your consequences minimized. No matter what type of DUI you have, this is essential to your freedom! Read more about the DUI case process and my legal services.I can help you through this crisis. I personally answer my own telephone and will personally handle your case. Contact Robert A. Dodell, Attorney at Law, directly by email or by calling 480-860-4321 now for a free initial consultation.

First Time DUI Offense in Arizona: Why You Need a Good Defense

If you are charged with a DUI offense, you need to know what the law is in that particular state. Arizona residents and visitors need to understand things like the blood alcohol content in Arizona, how much jail time they can receive and more. To learn a little bit more about Arizona DUI laws, you should read below and learn the ins and outs. The tips in this article will revolve around people who are first time DUI offenders, so consider these points.

#1: Hire a Great DUI lawyer

If you are charged with a DUI in Arizona, you should get in touch with many different DUI lawyers that practice in Arizona to know exactly what you can expect when charged with a DUI. During your consultation, the attorney should explain the legal process and what the attorney can do for you. Ask about the cost for legal representation and payment options, so that you know that you're able to afford a private attorney. Make sure we are comfortable with the attorney. Will this attorney be handling your case or will the case be handed off to someone else? Be sure the attorney will be available to answer all your questions when you have them. Communication with your attorney is the up-most importance.

#2: Understand Arizona DUI laws

Each and every state has its own DUI laws, so as an Arizona resident or visitor that was charged, you need to learn as much as you can about how they handle these particular cases. Start by understanding the blood-alcohol content limits and the sentencing ramifications. Also learn want this will do to your driver’s license and insurance rates. The effects of a DUI are quite onerous

#3: Be ready for the process

Since this is your first time being charged with a DUI, you need to do everything that you can to make sure that you are ready for the process and assist your attorney in the process. Get ready to appear in court and have your attorney fight and negotiate for you. This is why it is so important to hire a great lawyer, because you will be leaning on them and trusting them for a lot of the work that they do. Patience and knowledge of the process will go a long way toward helping you out during this time.

Some of the Fines, Costs and Penalties Associated With a First Time DUI Misdemeanor:

Up to $2500 in fines for the first offense
Screen tests and counseling classes up to $500
May need an ignition interlock device installation up to $1,200
Possible requirement to purchase SR-22 insurance - up to $3,000/year in additional insurance costs and maintain for 1-3 years
Driver’s license suspension of anywhere between 90 to 360 days
Possible probation
Possible community service hours
Possible jail time 1 Day to 6 Months
Getting charged with a second DUI or multiple DUI offenses, these fines and penalties become significantly harsher

These three tips outline exactly what you can expect from your first DUI if you are a resident or visitor to the State of Arizona. This is a great starting point that you should keep in mind so that you are able to make the most out of your case and get the proper DUI defense representation that you need. To make sure that this happens, follow these points the best that you can and be patient throughout the rest of the legal process. These charges are very serious. You may be facing a misdemeanor DUI or a felony DUI depending on several factors during the DUI arrest. I can help you through this crisis. I personally answers my own phone and will personally handle your case.

How Much Can An Arizona DUI Raise Your Insurance Rates?

Being convicted of a DUI is a serious matter. You will do jail time and lose your driving privileges. And there is a substantial risk your insurance premiums will go up.

DUI Arizona Laws

Under Arizona law, you can be found guilty of driving under the influence if your blood alcohol concentration is over the 0.08% limit. This is a standard DUI. You can be convicted of an extreme DUI if your BAC is above or at 0.15%.

If you are a commercial driver, however, you can be convicted of a DUI with a BAC of just 0.04%. And, if you are an underage driver, even the slightest trace of alcohol can result in a “Baby” DUI.

Also, you can be charged with an aggravated DUI under the following circumstances:

Driving while your license is revoked, canceled, or suspended
If you are transporting a passenger below 15 years old
Convicted of a DUI for the third time within a seven-year (84-month) period

Arizona DUI Penalties

Since the state has a zero-tolerance policy for driving under the influence, the penalties for DUI charges are severe. These harsh penalties are intended to act as a deterrent to discourage drivers from drunk driving.

For a first time offender with a standard DUI, the penalties include jail time from 24 hours to ten days, minimum fines of approximately $1,600 (plus a monitoring fee and jail costs), and suspension of license for 90-days or one-year revocation. In addition, the offender must have an IID installed in every vehicle they use for 12 months, along with an alcohol or drug screening and education treatment program. They may also be required to perform community service.

Repeat offenders who have had second standard DUI face 90 days jail time, approximately $3500 in fines, and a 12-month license revocation. An IID will be installed in all vehicles they use for 12 months, and they must perform 30 hours of community service. They are also required to undergo an alcohol or drug screening and education treatment program.

Penalties for aggravated and extreme DUIs are much more severe, with longer jail sentences and higher fines, as well as longer suspension of driving privileges. Underage DUIs come with the most severe penalties, with a maximum 180 days of jail time, and fines and fees of as much as $4,575 as well as suspension of driving privileges for as long as two years.

In Arizona, a DUI conviction will stay on your record, even if you have only been convicted of a misdemeanor. However, you can petition the court to have your conviction “set aside,” meaning it will be removed from your record.

Insurance Premium Increases

Should your insurance company learn of the DUI conviction, you should expect your car insurance to cost you much more. In fact, you should not be surprised if your average car insurance rates more than double.

The insurance provider now classifies you as a “high risk” driver and thus, will charge you higher rates to be insured. You should also expect that these rate increases will last for a minimum of three years and a maximum of seven years or more, depending on the severity of the DUI and if you are a repeat offender.

You may have to required by the Motor Vehicle Department to obtain a SR-22 insurance policy from your insurance company. This is also known as a financial responsibility or certificate of insurance form.

This vehicle liability insurance form certifies that you have met state requirements for liability insurance. The insurance company is also required to inform the DMV if your policy has been cancelled or you have allowed it to lapse.

If you have been with a DUI, get in touch with a lawyer immediately to handle your case. Hire an experienced DUI Attorney; Robert Dodell has over 30 years as a practicing criminal lawyer who has also worked as a prosecutor in the past. He is there to get you the best outcome for your case.

DUI Charges Defense in Tempe, AZ

Being charged with DUI or DWI is very serious. Even if you are a first-time offender, you face the risk of jail time, a driver’s license suspension, fines and the requirement to attend alcohol or drug-related screening and classes.

In addition to the legal issues that come with being convicted of driving under the influence, you will also face many personal challenges. Your car insurance premiums may significantly increase, and you may need to purchase a special policy known as an SR-22 for extra coverage. You may also find it more difficult to obtain a job or a promotion.

When you are facing a serious charge like DUI, it’s important to have a qualified attorney representing your case. Having a DUI attorney in Tempe AZ manage your case can help you get a fair trial and potentially have the charges dropped or the punishment significantly reduced.

What is the Difference Between a DUI vs. DWI?

Driving under the Influence (DUI) or Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) are the technical terms used to describe operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. DUI and DWI are often used interchangeably by the police and the court system.

Regardless, you should take the charges very seriously. Arizona has some of the strictest DUI/DWI laws in the country, and the prosecutors are very adamant about pushing the punishment to the full extent of the law.

Penalties and Punishment

There is a very broad range of penalties and punishments that are associated with a DUI conviction. Because there are so many different levels of DUI, ranging from a misdemeanor to a felony, it is hard to say exactly what the penalties will be for the charges against you. However, anyone convicted of a DUI at any level has the potential for the following punishments:

Jail or prison sentence
License suspension or revocation
Requirements for an ignition interlock device
Drug or alcohol counseling mandated by the court
Community service
Fines

It should be understood that every conviction of a DUI will include a jail sentence, even if it is for a misdemeanor. The minimum jail sentence required is ten days, with the possibility of having nine days suspended if the drug and alcohol therapy classes are attended by the person convicted.

What is the Difference Between a Misdemeanor and Felony in Tempe Courts

Generally, a first-time arrest for this offense is a misdemeanor DUI, and possibly the second arrest if the crime did not involve an accident or injuries and there were no minors under the age of 15 present in the vehicle.

Misdemeanors can be categorized into three distinctions: regular DUI, which applies to anyone with a blood alcohol concentration reading of up to .15%, extreme DUI for those with blood alcohol readings greater than 0.15% but less than 0.20%, and super extreme with alcohol readings of .0.20% or greater. Each of these categories has its own penalties and requirements.

A DUI is charged as a felony if it is the third conviction for a person within a seven year period or if the person was driving on a suspended license, operating a vehicle under the influence with an ignition interlock device in their vehicle, or if a minor under the age of 15 was in the vehicle.

The penalties for a felony conviction are more serious than those associated with a misdemeanor. Anyone convicted of a felony will face a prison sentence, a revocation of their license, a requirement for an ignition interlock device when their driving privileges are returned, and much higher fines. Everyone convicted of a felony will be required to attend a screening and counseling for alcohol or drug abuse.

Why You Need The Legal Services of Attorney Robert A Dodell

Robert A. Dodell, Attorney at Law in Tempe, has successfully represented many clients facing serious charges of DUI/DWI. I understand how much a DUI conviction could change your life. I know that I must be very aggressive in representing my clients so that they can receive a fair result and obtain the best possible outcome for their case.

There are many reasons that a blood alcohol test could provide skewed results. An inexperienced officer, a testing kit that was not well maintained, improper testing of the sample, even some medical conditions can cause these devices to register a much higher number than what was actually present in the body.

I look at every aspect of your case, from the arresting paperwork to the machine used for testing. I interview the officers to determine if they did or not do their job properly and I will make sure that I build the best defense case on your behalf. Although I cannot make promises for an acquittal, I can promise that I will use all my skills and resources to get the best outcome for your case.

Many people feel as if they should just appear before the judge and explain their case and hope for the best. If this was a perfect world, that may work. Sadly, the world is not perfect, and many people who self-represent in a DUI case find themselves facing the full extent of penalties and punishment.

You do not have to face these serious charges on your own. Robert A. Dodell, Attorney at Law, has successfully represented many people who have been charged with DUI. Don’t risk high fines and jail time; speak with an attorney today.