What Happens To First Time DUI Offense In Arizona?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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A first-offense DUI is class 1 misdemeanor in Arizona. Penalties include

10 days in jail, a 90-day license suspension, at least $1,250 in fines, an alcohol and drug screening, traffic school, and using an ignition interlock device for a year

.

Is jail time mandatory for DUI in Arizona?

A first offense DUI with a Blood Alcohol Concentration of 0.08% or more carries a jail sentence of up to 6 months. The offender is also required to serve a

mandatory minimum sentence of 10 days in jail

, from which 9 days can be suspended after completing a mandatory alcohol/drug evaluation.

Can a DUI be dismissed in AZ?

According to Arizona law,

a DUI is not supposed to be dismissed

, unless it is factually insufficient. Certain city courts in Arizona will not give a reckless driving in lieu of a DUI in any situation, and Phoenix is one of those courts.

What to expect when you get your first DUI?

  • A fine of $1,000.
  • A jail sentence of up to 18 months (if nobody was injured or killed)
  • A minimum of one year driving a car fitted with an ignition interlock device.
  • Drivers’ license suspension (see below information)
  • Mandatory attendance at an education and treatment program.

What happens after a DUI in AZ?

First offense:

You will be jailed for not less than 10 consecutive days and fined not less than $1,250

. You will also be required to undergo alcohol screening/education/treatment and to equip any vehicle you operate with a certified ignition interlock device, and be ordered to perform community service.

Is a DUI a felony in AZ?

In Arizona, the majority of DUI arrests involve misdemeanor charges. In some cases however – especially when aggravating circumstances are present – individuals can be prosecuted with

felony DUI

. Felonies are considered more serious offenses than misdemeanors.

How do you beat a DUI in Arizona?

  1. ILLEGAL STOP OF PERSON OR VEHICLE. …
  2. ILLEGAL DETENTION. …
  3. FAILURE TO PROVE DRIVING. …
  4. BAD WEATHER. …
  5. LACK OF PROBABLE CAUSE TO ARREST. …
  6. ILLEGAL SEARCH. …
  7. OFFICER’S PRIOR INCONSISTENT STATEMENTS. …
  8. OFFICER’S PRIOR DISCIPLINARY RECORD.

How long does a DUI stay open in Arizona?

In Arizona, prosecutors have

7 years

before they need to file charges for a Felony DUI/DWI.

How often do DUI cases get dismissed in Arizona?

In the state of Arizona only about 2% to 3% (give or take a percentage over time) of DUI or criminal cases actually go all the way to trial. This means that

97% to 98% are dismissed

or resolved through plea agreements before trial.

How serious is a first DUI?

A first offense DUI in California is a misdemeanor typically punished by

3 to 5 years of probation

, $390.00 to $1000.00 in fines plus penalty assessments, DUI school, a 6-month driver’s license suspension, and installation of an ignition interlock device.

How do I get my license back after a DUI in Arizona?

After you complete your

90 day or 1 year suspension

, you must have your license reinstated. Reinstating a suspension is a very simple process and can be accomplished by going to any local MVD office or by going online to www.servicearizona.com filling out the appropriate form and paying the reinstatement fee.

Is Arizona a zero tolerance state for alcohol?

Arizona is

a no-tolerance state for driving

under the influence, or DUI, meaning you can be arrested with a blood-alcohol content of less than the legal limit of 0.08 percent.

What happens when you get pulled over for DUI Arizona?

Once you have been arrested, the officer will ask you to

take a blood or breath test

. In virtually every state, your driver’s license will be suspended for some period of time if your alcohol concentration is reported to be over . 08. … Additionally, refusing to provide a breath or blood sample may not end the issue.

What is considered extreme DUI in AZ?

If you’ve been arrested for a DUI in Arizona, and your blood or breath alcohol is

above a 0.15 percent or a 0.20 percent

, then you are charged with what’s called an Extreme DUI. … An Extreme DUI occurs when someone has a blood alcohol limit above a 0.15. So, you may know, a 0.08 is the legal limit in Arizona for a DUI.

What is a super extreme DUI in AZ?

When someone is

arrested with a BAC of 0.20% or more in Arizona

, they are charged with a Super Extreme DUI. A Super Extreme DUI carries harsher penalties and longer jail sentence as compared to a standard DUI or an Extreme DUI offense in Arizona.

How much is a DUI ticket in Arizona?

To recap, the minimum costs of a misdemeanor DUI in Arizona include:

Up to $2,500 in fines and court costs

. Around $500 for classes and counseling. About $1,000 for an ignition interlock device.

What happens if you get 2 DUIS in Arizona?

If convicted of a second (2nd) offense DUI within 7 years: You

face a maximum for a class one (1) misdemeanor of six months of jail time; a fine of up to $2,500 plus surcharges; and alcohol screening and treatment classes.

How do most DUI cases end?

Generally, a DUI is considered a misdemeanor criminal offense. So, anyone who’s accused of driving under the influence typically has a right to a jury trial. … Most criminal cases, including those involving DUI charges, don’t actually go to trial but are instead

resolved through plea bargaining

.

How long does a DUI affect your insurance in Arizona?

In Arizona, the “look back period” is

84 months (7 years)

from the date of your DUI offense. This means that a DUI could affect your auto insurance rates for up to 7 years. This is also the amount of time that the state of Arizona considers for repeat DUI offenders.

Is DUI a misdemeanor Arizona?

DUI: Your blood alcohol concentration is above 0.08 percent, or above 0.04 percent if you are in a commercial vehicle. This is considered a

misdemeanor

in Arizona.

Will a DUI ruin your life?

The biggest question most first-time offenders have is, “Will a DUI ruin your life?” The good thing is that the answer to that question is, typically,

“No, a DUI does not have to ruin your life.”

How long does a DUI stay on your record?

Generally, a DUI will affect your driving record for

three to five years

in most states.

What is the DUI process in Arizona?

At the time of your DUI arrest,

police will confiscate your license and issue you a temporary license

, valid until your hearing date. Law enforcement will notify the Arizona Motor Vehicle Department (MVD) of the arrest, which will initiate license suspension.

How bad is a DUI in Arizona?

In Arizona, a conviction for driving under the influence (DUI) carries penalties ranging from fines to mandatory jail time. …

Extreme DUI is a BAC of 0.15 or higher

. Super Extreme DUI is a BAC of 0.20 or higher.

What’s the difference between a DUI and an aggravated DUI?

The penalties for a DUI are serious because every state considers this a serious criminal offense. An aggravated DUI

is even worse

. This is when a person is found to be committing another offense in addition to driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

What is a super DUI?

If you are stopped on suspicion of DUI and your blood alcohol concentration is above . 20, you will be charged with Super-Extreme DUI. This is

the highest level of misdemeanor DUI

and if convicted, you could face harsh penalties.

Is a DUI a felony?

Generally, it’s possible to be convicted of a DUI as a misdemeanor or

a felony

. … Having prior DUI convictions can also elevate a DUI to a felony. In some states, first and second DUI offenses are misdemeanors but a third or subsequent conviction is a felony.

What are the consequences of extreme DUI?

Penalties for Super Extreme DUI

20, you will be ordered to serve

a minimum of 45 days in jail for a first offense

, and pay a fine of $3,300. You will be required to complete alcohol screening, education, and treatment, and potentially court-ordered community service.

Maria LaPaige
Author
Maria LaPaige
Maria is a parenting expert and mother of three. She has written several books on parenting and child development, and has been featured in various parenting magazines. Maria's practical approach to family life has helped many parents navigate the ups and downs of raising children.