Thursday, June 25, 2009

DUI Phoenix Arizona Laws

Arizona, like every other state, has DUI (driving under the influence) laws meant to reduce driving after a few glasses of alcohol. Arizona is known throughout the country to have very strict laws regarding DUIs, which is all the more reason to hire an aggressive DUI attorney to fight for you.
Being arrested for an offense DUI can be a very upsetting experience. It may be your first time ever being accused of a crime and you may not know what your rights are or where you should turn.
It is therefore important to know the basics of the Arizona DUI laws and penalties to ensure that you stay on the right side of the law. It is unlawful for a person to drive or be in actual physical control of a vehicle in this state under any of the following circumstances: 1. While under the influence of intoxicating liquor, any drug and vapour releasing substance containing a toxic substance or any combination of liquor, drugs or vapour releasing substances if the person is impaired to the slightest degree.
2. If the person has an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more within two hours of driving or being in actual physical control of the vehicle and the alcohol concentration results from alcohol consumed either before or while driving or being in actual physical control of the vehicle.
3. While there is any drug or its metabolite in the person's body.
4. If the vehicle is a commercial motor vehicle that requires a person to obtain a commercial driver license and the person has an alcohol concentration of 0.04 or more.
DUI Sentencing
You've just been arrested for a DUI in Arizona, now you'll be sentenced according to a classification of your crime. Aggravating factors may include the following:
•You have a blood alcohol concentration of 0.15 for up to two hours after the offense.
•You have 2 or more prior DUI convictions in Arizona or in another state within 7 years of the arrest.
•Your privileges to drive are revoked, suspended or restricted at the time you are charged with DUI in Arizona.
•You have a child under 15 years old in the vehicle.
First Impaired or Breath Alcohol Concentration above .080
1.10 consecutive days in jail. The Court may suspend 9 of the 10 days if you agree to get an alcohol evaluation, and submit to treatment.
2.Fine & costs: $250.00 fine, plus a surcharge, plus an additional $500.00 assessment for DPS, and another $500.00 for the Arizona Prison Construction Fund.
3.Driver license: The MVD will suspend your drivers' license for 90 days.
4.Counseling: If recommended in your evaluation and you want the Judge to suspend all but one day in jail.
5.Probation: You may be placed on probation for up to five years.
Second Impaired or Breath Alcohol Concentration above .080
1. 90 days in jail. The Court may suspend 60 of the 90 days if you agree to get an alcohol evaluation, and submit to treatment.
2. Fine & costs: $500.00 fine, plus a surcharge, plus an additional $250.00 assessment to the Arizona DUI abatement fund, plus an additional $1250.00 assessment for arrests.
3. Driver License: Your drivers' license will be revoked for one year.
4. Counseling: If recommended in your evaluation and you want the Judge to suspend all but 30 days in jail.
5. Probation: You may be placed on probation for up to five years.
First Extreme DUI (Breath Alcohol Concentration above .150)
1.30 consecutive days in jail. The Court may suspend 20 of the 30 days if you agree to get an alcohol evaluation, and submit to treatment.
2.Fine & costs: $250.00 fine, plus a surcharge, plus an additional $250.00 assessment to the Arizona DUI abatement fund, plus an additional $1000.00 assessment for DPS, and an additional prison construction fund fee of $1,000.00.
3.Driver License: The MVD will suspend your drivers' license for 90 days.
4.Counseling: If recommended in your evaluation and you want the Judge to suspend all but ten days in jail.
5.Probation: You may be placed on probation for up to five years.
Second Extreme DUI (Breath Alcohol Concentration above .150)
1.120 days in jail of which 60 must be consecutive. The Court may suspend 60 of the 120 days if you agree to get an alcohol evaluation, and submit to treatment.
2.Fine & costs: $500.00 fine, plus a surcharge, plus an additional $250.00 assessment to the Arizona DUI abatement fund, plus an additional $1250.00 assessment for arrests.
3.Driver License: Your drivers' license will be revoked for one year. 4.Counseling: If recommended in your evaluation and you want the Judge to suspend 60 of the 120 days of jail.
5.Probation: You may be placed on probation for up to five years.
Felony DUI (3rd DUI w/i 5 Years, or DUI w/ License Suspended or Restricted)
The sentence guidelines below presuppose a completely clean felony record. Historical priors may significantly enhance any felony sentence. This is a class 4 felony and subject to the sentencing ranges based on historical priors as such. A DUI conviction under this section could carry over 10 years in prison.
1.4 months in prison at a minimum before you are eligible for probation, pardon, commutation or suspension of the sentence, or release on any other basis.
2.Fine & costs: Up to $150,000.00 in fines, plus a surcharge, plus an additional $250.00 assessment to the Arizona DUI abatement fund, plus an additional $1,500.00 assessment for arrests.
3.Driver License: Your drivers' license will be revoked for three years.
4.Counseling: If probation is granted by the sentencing Court, you will be required to submit to treatment.
5.Probation: You may be placed on probation for up to five years.
6.Vehicle Forfeiture: If you were driving a vehicle you owned at the time of the DUI arrest that led to your conviction, the Court may take your vehicle as well.
Felony DUI (w/ a child under 15 years old in vehicle)
The sentence guidelines below presuppose a completely clean felony record. Historical priors may significantly enhance any felony sentence. This is a class 6 felony and subject to the sentencing ranges based on historical priors as such.
1.A person convicted under this section will have to serve at least the minimum sentences for the misdemeanor DUIs described above if the offense would have been a misdemeanor but for the presence of the minor child.
2.Fine & costs: Up to $150,000.00 in fines, plus a surcharge, plus an additional $250.00 assessment to the Arizona DUI abatement fund, plus an additional $500.00 assessment for arrests.
3.Driver License: Your drivers' license will be revoked for three years.
4.Probation: You may be placed on probation for up to five years.
5.Counseling: If probation is granted by the sentencing Court, you will be required to submit to treatment.
6.Vehicle Forfeiture: If you were driving a vehicle you owned at the time of the DUI arrest that led to your conviction, the Court may take your vehicle as well.

How To Find A Professional Arizona DUI Lawyer

The consequences of a DUI charge
A DUI (driving under the influence) is a very serious crime in every state, but a conviction for an Arizona DUI may have consequences that can seriously alter your life. If you have been stopped for a DUI offense in Arizona, you should know the repercussions of this crime may be: jail time, loss of driving license, hefty fines, embarrassment and difficulty keeping or finding new employment, community service, ignition interlock device, impoundment of vehicle, higher insurance premiums or possibly even dropped coverage, restricted interstate or international travel. Not to mention the social stigma and effects on your career attached to a DUI conviction. You only have a limited amount of time to request with the court to try and avoid automatically losing your drivers license after being arrested.
The worst thing you can do: Delay or Do Nothing
Unfortunately, many people never fully understand their rights and are unfairly charged. A DUI conviction on your permanent record is a life-changing event that should not be taken lightly. It's critical you have a strategic, experienced attorney guiding you during this process. Doing nothing at all won't change your situation.
The best thing you can do: find a Professional DUI Lawyer Expert legal counsel and meticulous defense can be your saving grace. Not everyone who has been pulled over for a DUI stop is guilty of a crime. Certainly, searching for a professional lawyer may be your best decision. Take your infraction seriously, because its complicated consequences can affect all your future life. A professional DUI attorney can be extremely helpful in retaining your driving privileges, reducing bail, or assisting in obtaining a release under "his or her own recognizance". Having a lawyer on your side that specializes in DUI cases is imperative. It's very important to act quickly, while your arrest details are still fresh on your mind.
Tips to find the best DUI Lawyer in Arizona
1. The most important is to find a lawyer who specializes in DUI, with experience and positive results in cases the same with yours. A good lawyer understands what a DUI conviction means to your life and your family and will aggressively fight all the way for the best possible outcome.
2. A good lawyer will offer you a free consultation to review your case, and will ask your questions. He will try to understand exactly what happen and may want to know all details and circumstances of your DUI charge. Every detail can be critical for your case and can make the difference between beat that DUI or don't.
3. At the end of this review he must to tell you his opinion about your case, including the chances to beat your DUI, the particularly problems of your case, and should explain you your rights and obligations. He will tell you there is a light at the end of this tunnel.
4. Of course, he must to tell you about his fees and costs that are involved in a DUI case, and ask your questions about his experience and background.

Phoenix Arizona DUI Lawyer

If you have recently been arrested on a (Driving Under the Influence)DUI charge in Phoenix, then you are most certainly going to need to find a Phoenix Arizona DUI lawyer because if you do not get someone good, you are probably going to be getting some really serious charges slapped on you. You need to Get the Right Lawyer that strictly focuses in on alcohol related cases and if they specialize solely on fighting DUI charges then that is better yet. The reason for this is simple: You want someone that is familiar with the DUI trial circle so that they have already established relationships with the Judge, etc..
A lot of people try to just get a general lawyer who may not be as strong in DUI charges as maybe some other field of law practice. Because of this, the defendant may end up losing and having to serve jail time over the DUI, when perhaps a Phoenix Arizona DUI lawyer could have helped them get out of the situation. More than likely, if you are charged with DUI in Phoenix, then this type of an attorney would be the best way to go.
In conclusion, if you are charged with Driving Under the Influence in Arizona, you should locate the best lawyer available and one that specializes in that specific type of law. The internet is a great tool to use when trying to locate such a lawyer. I have also provided a few links that should be able to help you locate the best attorney available for your situation. So, I wish you good luck in the future and please remember that the next time you should be sure to have someone drive for you if you have had too much to drink.

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

How To Find A Professional Arizona DUI Lawyer

The consequences of a DUI charge
A DUI (driving under the influence) is a very serious crime in every state, but a conviction for an Arizona DUI may have consequences that can seriously alter your life. If you have been stopped for a DUI offense in Arizona, you should know the repercussions of this crime may be: jail time, loss of driving license, hefty fines, embarrassment and difficulty keeping or finding new employment, community service, ignition interlock device, impoundment of vehicle, higher insurance premiums or possibly even dropped coverage, restricted interstate or international travel. Not to mention the social stigma and effects on your career attached to a DUI conviction. You only have a limited amount of time to request with the court to try and avoid automatically losing your drivers license after being arrested.
The worst thing you can do: Delay or Do Nothing
Unfortunately, many people never fully understand their rights and are unfairly charged. A DUI conviction on your permanent record is a life-changing event that should not be taken lightly. It's critical you have a strategic, experienced attorney guiding you during this process. Doing nothing at all won't change your situation.
The best thing you can do: find a Professional DUI Lawyer Expert legal counsel and meticulous defense can be your saving grace. Not everyone who has been pulled over for a DUI stop is guilty of a crime. Certainly, searching for a professional lawyer may be your best decision. Take your infraction seriously, because its complicated consequences can affect all your future life. A professional DUI attorney can be extremely helpful in retaining your driving privileges, reducing bail, or assisting in obtaining a release under "his or her own recognizance". Having a lawyer on your side that specializes in DUI cases is imperative. It's very important to act quickly, while your arrest details are still fresh on your mind.
Tips to find the best DUI Lawyer in Arizona
1. The most important is to find a lawyer who specializes in DUI, with experience and positive results in cases the same with yours. A good lawyer understands what a DUI conviction means to your life and your family and will aggressively fight all the way for the best possible outcome.
2. A good lawyer will offer you a free consultation to review your case, and will ask your questions. He will try to understand exactly what happen and may want to know all details and circumstances of your DUI charge. Every detail can be critical for your case and can make the difference between beat that DUI or don't.
3. At the end of this review he must to tell you his opinion about your case, including the chances to beat your DUI, the particularly problems of your case, and should explain you your rights and obligations. He will tell you there is a light at the end of this tunnel.
4. Of course, he must to tell you about his fees and costs that are involved in a DUI case, and ask your questions about his experience and background.

Phoenix Arizona DUI Lawyer: Find The Right One

If you have recently been arrested on a (Driving Under the Influence)DUI charge in Phoenix, then you are most certainly going to need to find a Phoenix Arizona DUI lawyer because if you do not get someone good, you are probably going to be getting some really serious charges slapped on you. You need to Get the Right Lawyer that strictly focuses in on alcohol related cases and if they specialize solely on fighting DUI charges then that is better yet. The reason for this is simple: You want someone that is familiar with the DUI trial circle so that they have already established relationships with the Judge, etc..
A lot of people try to just get a general lawyer who may not be as strong in DUI charges as maybe some other field of law practice. Because of this, the defendant may end up losing and having to serve jail time over the DUI, when perhaps a Phoenix Arizona DUI lawyer could have helped them get out of the situation. More than likely, if you are charged with DUI in Phoenix, then this type of an attorney would be the best way to go.
In conclusion, if you are charged with Driving Under the Influence in Arizona, you should locate the best lawyer available and one that specializes in that specific type of law. The internet is a great tool to use when trying to locate such a lawyer. I have also provided a few links that should be able to help you locate the best attorney available for your situation. So, I wish you good luck in the future and please remember that the next time you should be sure to have someone drive for you if you have had too much to drink.