When you face a charge for driving under the influence (DUI), you are in jeopardy of losing your life as you know it. Arizona has some of the harshest DUI laws in the nation, making it important to have a skilled attorney defending you. In Phoenix's East Valley, clients trust Chandler DUI attorney Jason Navarro to help protect their rights when they face DUI charges.
A Chandler DUI Attorney to Protect Your Rights
Arizona DUI penalties include heavy sentences and fines that a Maricopa County DUI lawyer can fight to help you avoid or minimize. With help from a knowledgeable attorney, you have a better chance of reducing charges and penalties—including legal consequences and collateral damage—that can harm your life.
DUI Charges and Maricopa County DUI Defense
DUI charges arise when a driver is accused of operating a vehicle while impaired due to consumption of alcohol or other substances. Under ARS § 28-1381, a driver with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of more than .08 percent is considered to be impaired. To prove the driver is impaired to the slightest degree, the prosecutor must establish that the offender's ability to drive was impacted due to alcohol, drugs, or medications.
Under ARS § 28-1382, Arizona has an extreme DUI charge for those caught driving with a BAC of .15 percent or higher. Offenders with a BAC over .20 percent face even more severe DUI penalties. Extreme DUI penalties in Arizona can include jail time, fines, license suspension, and community service. If you are found guilty of extreme DUI, you may also have to complete specific traffic courses and/or install an ignition interlock device (breathalyzer) on your vehicle.
An offender's DUI charge depends on the substance taken and whether the offender has prior DUI convictions. All DUIs are misdemeanors when it is the offender's first charge. However, an offender has accumulated two DUI convictions in the past seven years, they may face an aggravated DUI charge.
Regardless of the charges an offender faces, he or she is at risk of losing freedom and facing potentially high fines. For help defending your rights, contact an East Valley DUI defense lawyer.
Penalties Arising from DUI Charges
Depending on the level of the DUI and whether the offender has prior DUI convictions, charges range from minor to significant. Regular DUIs have the lightest sentence, with first-time offenders facing one day to six months of incarceration and a fine starting at $1,500. Second-time offenders face 30 days to six months in jail, with a minimum fine of $3,500.
Extreme DUI offenders face penalties of 30 days to six months of incarceration and a minimum fine of $2,700. Repeat offenders face incarceration for 120 days to six months, with a minimum fine of $3,700.
Super extreme DUIs carry a penalty of incarceration for 45 days to six months, with a minimum of $3,200 in fines. A second super extreme DUI offense carries a potential six-month prison sentence and at least $3,200 in fines.
Depending on the circumstances of an aggravated DUI and the number of prior DUIs, an offender faces between four months and 15 years in prison with at least a $4,700 fine. Regardless of the charge, all penalties carry legal and potential secondary consequences. A qualified Maricopa County DUI defense lawyer can help you avoid a penalty or minimize your sentence.
A Chandler DUI Attorney Can Help Protect Your Standard of Living
In addition to legal penalties, DUI defendants often find that the consequences of DUI charges reach into their everyday lives. When a DUI charge goes on your record, you may face challenges regarding employment, housing, and business or professional licensing you hold or seek.
These collateral consequences can seriously impact your life regardless of occupation or age. Having the right Maricopa County DUI defense strategy is essential to avoid or minimize such life-altering consequences.
How a Chandler DUI Attorney Can Defend You
There is no perfect way to defend a DUI case, and the circumstances of your DUI will dictate how your Esat Valley DUI defense lawyer builds your defense. In addition to court work, a DUI attorney should investigate your arrest by looking into the following:
- The validity of the stop and arrest, including potential Miranda rights violations;
- The validity of any field sobriety test results; and
- The collection methods and accuracy of blood tests performed.
Arizona DUI laws are uniform across the state, so a Maricopa County DUI defense lawyer can help you whether you are arrested in Chandler, Tempe, Gilbert, Scottsdale, Mesa, Queen Creek, Buckeye, Surprise, Avondale, Apache Junction, San Tan Valley, Florence, the City of Maricopa, or elsewhere in the state. For help defending a DUI charge, contact Chandler DUI attorney Jason Navarro at Navarro Law, PLC. Call (480) 591-7111 or fill out this online contact form to schedule a consultation.
