Third Time Around - Felony DU Penalties in
Arizona
You feel like you have been here before. You've
made few mistakes in the past, and the two
previous DUI convictions were challenging to deal
with. Once you have been convicted of a first DUI
offense, the penalties become increasingly steep.
While the law is more lenient toward first time
offenders, as your charges accumulate the judges
are less and less likely to be forgiving.
In Arizona, while most drunk driving charges are
misdemeanors, after your third DUI within seven
years, the charge is considered a felony, regardless
of the level of your blood alcohol content. The
penalties are harsh, including:
• Being charged with a class four felony
• A minimum prison sentence of four months,
which could br greater, depending on your
individual factors
• Fines can be levied in excess of several thousand
dollars, depending on your violations
• Revocation of your drivers' license for three years
• If you receive probation, you will likely have to
attend and pay for counseling and treatment
sessions
• After your release, you could be placed on
probation for up to five additional years
• If you are the owner of the car you were driving
when you were arrested for drunk driving, the
court may seize your vehicle from you
It is important to note that if you have any sort of
additional criminal history, other than your
previous DUI convictions, some of these penalties
may be assessed more harshly, including the
imposition of a longer jail term if the court finds
appropriate.
If you have been charged with a felony DUI in
Arizona, it is imperative to hire an experienced
DUI attorney to represent you. A DUI lawyer in
Phoenix can explain to you what to expect from the
local court system in light of the serious nature of
the charges, plan a strategy to fight for your rights,
and assist you in obtaining the best possible
outcome. Some ways in which an experienced DUI
lawyer in Arizona can help include:
• Getting inadmissible evidence thrown out
• Looking for any violation of your constitutional
rights
• Inquiring into the arresting officer's background
and experience
• Questioning whether probable cause for the
initial stop existed
• Asking about the officer's reasonable suspicion
that led him to pull you over
• Finding errors in the blood alcohol testing
methods and procedures
By making sure you have someone to help you tell
your side of the story, you increase your chances of
success and make a positive resolution to your DUI
charges. Remember, Arizona has some of the
strictest DUI laws on record, so make sure you take
the charges seriously and protect your rights.