By J. T. Lawrence -
The AZ DUI laws provide for two ways that someone can be prosecuted for drunk driving in Arizona. The first is if a police officer finds that your driving is erratic and can establish that you have had any amount of alcohol, illegal drugs, or some types of prescription drugs in your system. The second is a “per se” assumption of drunk driving if you have a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08% or higher.
An arrest, under AZ DUI laws, triggers two separate actions.
The first is an administrative action filed by the Motor Vehicles Department. If you don’t request a hearing immediately, this bureaucracy can suspend your driver’s license for 90 days without any further proceedings.
The second action is handled in criminal court. You have the right to a six person jury. You can also waive this right and proceed with the Judge handling the entire case.
A first time DUI with a blood alcohol level under .15% results in a mandatory 10 day jail sentence. The Judge may, at his discretion, suspend 9 of these days if you complete an alcohol and drug screening program and participate in the recommended treatment. There are also fines and fees totaling $750.
A felony (third time) DUI conviction requires a minimum of four months in prison and tens of thousands of dollars in fines. If you own the vehicle you were driving when arrested, you will forfeit your vehicle as well.
If you are driving with a child under the age of 15 at the time of your arrest, the consequences are quite severe. You will get jail time in addition to enhanced financial penalties.
As you can see AZ DUI Laws are quite severe. If you’ve been arrested for drunk driving, you should get a lawyer and check out the information at http://www.CriminalDefenseResources.com right away.
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