Arizona DUI Defense Lawyer

Driving Under the Influence (DUI) is a common offense, and many people don’t realize how serious the penalties can be. Arizona has some of the toughest DUI laws and the most aggressive DUI law enforcement. 

A jail sentence for intoxicated driving in Arizona can be as long as six months, with fines as steep as several thousand dollars, plus a host of other criminal consequences with long-term impact.

If you are charged with DUI in Arizona, get the protection of a DUI defense attorney as soon as possible. Arizonans trust our lawyers at Dworman Law, particularly our defense attorney Howard Dworman for his successful track record in defending individuals facing DUI charges.

Mr. Dworman is specifically trained and experienced in drunk-driving defense, with over 100 hours of continuing legal education in DUI. He is also an esteemed member of legal networks including the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the DUI Defense Lawyers Association, National College for DUI Defense, and the Arizona Attorneys for Criminal Justice.

With his training, experience, and resources, Mr. Dworman has obtained case dismissals and Not Guilty verdicts in DUI cases and is your best chance for a successful defense. Call Dworman Law today at (480) 256-2449.

Defining a DUI In Arizona

Under Arizona law, a DUI can be any of the following:

• Operating a motor vehicle while being impaired by alcohol, drug, a vapor substance, or a combination of those, as described in Arizona Revised Statutes 28-1381 (A)(1)
• Having a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08 or higher within two hours of driving, as described in ARS 28-1381(A)(2)
• Driving with illegal drugs in the body, whether or not they cause impairment, as described in ARS 28-1381(A)(3)
• Having a BAC of 0.15 or higher within two hours of driving, as described in ARS 28-1382(A)(1)
• Having a BAC of 0.20 or higher within two hours of driving, as described in ARS 28-1382(A)(2)
• For drivers of commercial motor vehicles, driving with a BAC of 0.04 or higher, as described in ARS 28-1381(A)(4).

Toughest DUI Rules And Punishments In Arizona

In a state-by-state comparison by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), Arizona is the only five-star rated state in terms of anti-DUI laws and enforcement. This means that AZ checks all the criteria in creating and implementing laws against intoxicated driving. 

Drivers in Arizona are surrounded by strict anti-DUI rules, and when charged with a DUI offense, they could face harsh consequences. 

Arizona’s DUI rules include: 

• All-offender interlock law. All DUI offenders in AZ – including first-time offenders – are required to install an ignition interlock device as part of their penalties. In several other states, first-offense DUI does not include this punishment.
• Sobriety checkpoints. Also called DUI checkpoints, these are police stations set up specifically to check for intoxicated drivers. A few states have questioned the constitutionality of these checkpoints, but Arizona has deemed them legal.
• Automatic license revocation. A DUI arrest in Arizona can trigger an automatic suspension of your driver’s license, even when you are not convicted. The Arizona Motor Vehicle Department also has the power to automatically revoke your driver’s license based on certain offenses. Reinstatement of license is not automatic.
• Child endangerment as felony. If a person is driving while intoxicated with a child in the car, it can be considered aggravated DUI, which is a felony in Arizona.
• “No-refusal” rule. While some states allow their drivers to refuse a breathalyzer or chemical test without consequence, such a refusal in Arizona can result in automatic license suspension for a year.

A conviction of DUI in Arizona can have multiple and severe penalties, even if it is a first offense. A first DUI offense in AZ is punishable with:

• Up to six months in jail
• Up to $5,000 in fines
• Up to five years’ probation
• Driver’s license suspension
• Shouldering of daily jail costs
• Installation of ignition interlock device
• Required alcohol classes
• Restitution, if applicable
• Victim impact panel.

Aggravated DUI In Arizona

Certain circumstances can escalate a DUI offense into an aggravated DUI, which is a felony under ARS 28-1383. Aggravating circumstances include:

• DUI with a child in the car;
• Two or more prior DUIs within seven years;
• DUI on a suspended or revoked license *as a result of a previous DUI/Admin Per Se or Implied Consent;
• DUI while ordered to use ignition interlock;
• DUI while driving the wrong way.

Maximum penalties (assuming no other prior felonies exist) for these include 3.75 years in prison and $150,000 in fines, but even most first-time aggravated DUI is harshly punished with a mandatory four-month prison sentence.

Dworman Law Can Help You Fight Your Arizona DUI Charge  

If you are facing a DUI charge, contact a trusted DUI defense lawyer immediately. Even if you believe that you were not impaired while driving or that your BAC was within legal limits, there are still many ways that you could suffer the consequences of an arrest. 

Here at Dworman Law, our DUI defense lawyers are experienced and proven effective in protecting clients. These are some of the things we can do for you:

• Building the best defense strategies against your DUI charge – from breathalyzer errors and legality of the arrest, to courtroom technicalities and weakness of evidence
• Alleviating the impact of the arrest and the potential penalties
• Ensuring that your rights are upheld throughout your case
• Guiding you to avoid costly mistakes such as making statements, admitting to things, and signing away your rights
• Assisting you in reinstating your driving privileges from the Motor Vehicle Division (MVD).

Contact Dworman Law

Arizona has severe punishments for intoxicated driving. You’ll need a competent attorney to protect your freedom. Even if you’re not sure what you need, consult with Dworman Law to know what your rights are and how to best move forward with your case.Call Dworman Law at 480-256-2449 today. We serve clients in Phoenix and all throughout Arizona.