By Frank Schumacher -
The penalties for DUI cases differ from state to state. In the state of Arizona, the penalties that might be sentenced on you largely depend on two things – the type of DUI charged to you and your current criminal record. If you have previous DUI offenses within the past 7 years or 84 months, this can affect the gravity of your sentence.
If you have a clean felony record, the following punishments will apply to you. For first time DUI offenders with a BAC above .08%, you will be sentenced to a jail time ranging from 10 to 180 days. Out of the 10 days of your jail time, 9 of them can be used for alcohol consultation, evaluation, and treatment. You will also need to pay a fine of $1800, excluding jail costs. Your driver’s license will be suspended for 90 days and you might be put under probation for five years. Community service might also be imposed, plus you will be required to have an ignition interlock device for 12 months.
For second time offenders of regular DUI, the penalties are basically are a little higher. The minimum time you are to spend in jail is 90 consecutive days. However, the court may suspend 60 days if you complete the alcohol consultation, evaluation, and treatment. You fine will also increase to $3500 plus additional jail costs. Your license is in danger of revocation for one year, plus you will be under probation for five years. Community service is mandatory for a minimum of 30 hours, and you will also be required to have an ignition interlock device for 12 months after your license has been returned.
If you commit your first extreme DUI offense with a BAC of .150% to .199%, you will spend 30 to 180 days in jail and $3000 in fines and fees, excluding the jail costs. Just like the first regular DUI offense, your license will be suspended for 90 days, you will be put under probation for five years, and you will be required to have an ignition interlock device. For your second extreme DUI offense, the penalty is generally the same except that you will spend a minimum of 120 days in jail, pay a fine of $3750, and surrender your license for a year. A minimum of 30 hours of community service is also required.
You will be charged with an extreme case of DUI if you have a BAC of .200% or higher. In your fist offense, you will spend 45-180 days in jail, but it will become a flat 180 days in your second offense. The fine for the first offense is $3250, while a minimum of $4000 will be charged for a second offense. Other penalties are the same as the first and second DUI offenses.
If you commit a DUI offense for the third time or while your license is suspended, you will be charged with a class 4 felony, in which you will need a Phoenix DUI attorney to help you. The punishment involves 4 months in prison and up to $150,000 in fines and fees. Your license will also be revoked for three years. If you are driving with a child under 15 years of age, you may be charged with a class 6 felony, which involves longer jail time and confiscation of vehicle. The fines can also amount up to $150,000, plus your license will be revoked for three years. An Arizona DUI attorney could come in handy during these trying times.
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