Posts Tagged ‘arizona dui penalties’

New Arizona Extreme DUI Penalties Effective 9.26.08

Friday, September 26th, 2008

Arizona DUI PenalitesThe new set of Arizona DUI Laws went into effect today. While there are some other minor changes, the one that warrants your immediate attention is the consequences for an extreme DUI.

For anybody arrested today or later, if you are convicted of extreme DUI (.150 or greater alcohol concentration), you will be sentenced to 30 consecutive days in jail. No jail time can be suspended.

If you are convicted for a second offense in seven years for extreme DUI, then you will be sentenced to 120 consecutive days in jail, with no time suspended.

The super-extreme (.20 or greater) remain unchanged, at 45 days for a first offense, 180 days for a second offense.

Now more than ever it is extremely important to have legal representation. The average misdemeanor DUI case in Arizona now carries more jail time than many serious felonies.

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Arizona DUI Taskforce

Monday, September 1st, 2008

The Arizona DUI task force wrapped up a two week patrol, and came up short of the number of arrests that they made in 2007.

What this data means will be debated for weeks to come. Again, the question remains: Is it because of the stiffer DUI laws that are in effect? Or is there another cause.

More as the numbers and story develops.

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DUI Penalties: Don’t expect the max, but prepare for more than the minimum

Saturday, August 23rd, 2008

In Arizona DUI cases, for years defendants have been able to depend on getting the minimum sentence under the law. The state has countered that expectation with its commercials, including the “expect the max” campaign.

The legal community is buzzing with talk of judges who have started giving more than the minimum. And not just a little more. For a list of minimum sentences, see Arizona DUI Penalties. The minimum calls for 1 day in jail for a first offense conviction. Some judges are now rumored to be handing out sentences upwards of 10 days in jail

As a practicing attorney, I used to be able to advice my clients and potential clients that, at worst, they might get the minimum. I used to be able to tell potential clients who were not sure if they wanted to spend money on a DUI lawyer that they could probably get the minimum if they went in themselves. I no longer feel comfortable with this advice in most cases (certain exceptions certainly apply).

When the new DUI laws in Arizona go into effect on 12/31/08, there will be a whole new set of increased penalties for those accused of drunk driving to deal with.

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