Third Time Around - Felony DUI 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.