Arizona Extreme DUI
BAC .15% – Vehicle Impoundment
For nearly ten years, Arizona has recognized two levels of drunk driving – DUI “per se”, in which a blood alcohol content (BAC) level of .08 percent will support a conviction, and extreme DUI, for those with a BAC of .15 or above. Today, Arizona also has “Super Extreme” DUI. This is a more severe penalty, 45 days in jail, if the BAC is more than .20!
An extreme DUI conviction can include a mandatory minimum sentence of 30 days in jail, heavy fines, impoundment of your vehicle for 30 days, installation of an ignition interlock device with GPS monitoring on your car, and classes. That’s for a first offense. Any repeat extreme DUI conviction within a seven-year period carries even tougher minimum penalties. In all cities in Maricopa County, home arrest is available. If you qualify, you serve 20% of the sentence in jail (with work release), and the balance at home. Very soon the Counties will also have home arrest available.
As of 1/1/12, there is a way to get all but 9 days suspended or taken off of the 30 day jail sentence on extreme and all but 14 on super extreme convictions. It is not automatic but we can help you get it accomplished.
If you need help with defense of a charge under these harsh penalties, the DUI lawyers at the Weingart Law Firm can help you. If you’re facing a first offense extreme DUI charge, our experienced attorneys will concentrate on developing the following aspects of your defense:
- Challenging the police officer’s probable cause for the arrest
- Examining the circumstances of the blood test or breath test for mistakes of maintenance, calibration, chain of custody, or administration
- Attacking the results of the blood alcohol test on technical grounds, such as interaction with prescription drugs or food, or forensic weaknesses in the test itself
- Alternatives to long jail time
How we can help you:
Where a repeat offense charge of extreme DUI depends on proof of a prior conviction within the previous seven years, our lawyers will conduct a careful examination of the facts and procedures in the older case to prevent it from counting as a prior offense. The difference can prevent you from serving at least two months in jail and being subject to more than $3,000 in fines.
Experts in the field understand perfectly well that a BAC of .15 percent does not mean that a person is extremely drunk. What’s extreme about the Arizona DUI law is the minimum punishment if you’re convicted.
If you’ve been charged with first, second, or third offense extreme DUI, get the experienced and resourceful representation you need by contacting the DUI trial attorneys at the Weingart Law Firm in Tempe.
