Arizona has some of the harshest penalties for DUI charges in the U.S., so it is vital that, if arrested for DUI, you understand what you’re up against. The consequences may vary, depending on whether or not this is your first offense, who else was in the vehicle with you, and what your BAC level was.
Types of DUI in Arizona
A standard DUI is when a person drove a vehicle while their blood alcohol content (BAC) was 0.08% or more, 0.04% or more if the driver was in a commercial vehicle, or any percentage if the driver was under 21 years of age. It is classified as a Class 1 misdemeanor under Arizona law.
DUI is classified as “extreme” if the driver’s BAC was 0.15% or higher. It is also considered a Class 1 misdemeanor for a first offense.
If a driver commits a DUI with a suspended, revoked, or cancelled driver’s license, it is classified as an aggravated DUI. It is also considered aggravated DUI if it is the driver’s 3rd offense within 84 months, or the driver was transporting a passenger under 15 years of age. If the driver had a child in the vehicle, the DUI is considered a Class 6 felony, but any other aggravated DUI is treated as a Class 4 felony.
The following are possible penalties you may face if convicted of a DUI in Arizona:
1st Offense Standard DUI
- A minimum of 10 days, but up to 6 months in jail
- A fine of at least $1,250
- Driver’s license suspension for a minimum of 90 days
- Ignition Interlock Device installed in vehicle
- Community service
- Completion of an alcohol or drug screening, treatment and education program
2nd or Subsequent Offenses Standard DUI
- A minimum of 90 days, but up to 6 months in jail
- A fine of at least $3,000
- Driver’s license will be revoked for 1 year
- Ignition Interlock Device installed in vehicle
- Community service
- Completion of an alcohol or drug screening, treatment and education program
1st Offense Extreme DUI
- A minimum of 30 days, but up to 6 months in jail
- A minimum fine of $2,500
- Driver’s license will be suspended for a minimum of 90 days
- Ignition Interlock Device installed in vehicle
- Community service
- Completion of an alcohol or drug screening, treatment and education program
2nd or Subsequent Offenses Extreme DUI
- A minimum of 120 days, but up to 6 months in jail
- A minimum fine of $3,250
- Driver’s license will be revoked for 1 year
- Ignition Interlock Device installed in vehicle
- Community service
- Completion of an alcohol or drug screening, treatment and education program
Aggravated DUI
- Between 2 and 15 years in prison, depending on prior convictions
- Up to 10 years of supervised probation
- Maximum fine of $150,000
- Driver’s license will be revoked for 1 year
- Ignition Interlock Device installed in vehicle
- Community service
- Completion of an alcohol or drug screening, treatment and education program
At Skousen & Reedy, PLC, we help with all types of DUI cases. Our practiced attorneys know DUI inside and out, and, with our help, you may have a higher chance of seeing your charges reduced, acquitted, or dismissed. Arizona handles DUI charges with an iron fist, so legal representation is crucial in order to guarantee your rights are protected.
Not only can our criminal defense lawyers help you fight your charges, we offer free initial case consultations for all DUI cases. For help with your Arizona DUI case, contact the attorneys at Skousen & Reedy, PLC.