Extreme or Super Extreme DUI in Arizona
If you get arrested for allegedly driving under the influence (DUI) in Arizona, your blood or breath alcohol concentration (BAC) level can determine the type of charge that is entered against you. With a BAC above 0.15 or 0.20 percent, you can be charged with an extreme or super extreme DUI, respectively – two crimes with enhanced consequences in Arizona. An Arizona traffic ticket attorney can help you navigate the complexities of a legal claim.
What Is an Extreme or Super Extreme DUI?
The definition of extreme DUI under Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS) § 28-1382 is “driving or actual physical control while under the extreme influence of intoxicating liquor.” This means driving a motor vehicle within two hours of having an alcohol concentration of 0.15 percent or more but less than 0.20 percent. If the driver’s BAC is at or above 0.20 percent, it is known as a super extreme DUI.
What Are the Penalties for Enhanced DUI Charges in Arizona?
Extreme and super extreme DUI convictions in Arizona come with significant penalties. A standard DUI conviction is already heavily penalized in Arizona, with hefty fines and mandatory jail time. Operating a motor vehicle with twice the legal BAC (0.08 percent) or more is a serious crime that can carry penalties and consequences such as:
- A minimum of 30 days (extreme DUI) or 120 days (super extreme DUI) in jail
- Driver’s license suspension or revocation for 90 days or one year
- $2,500 to $3,250 or more in fines and fees
- Immediate vehicle impoundment
- Required installation of an ignition interlock device for one or two years
- Mandatory alcohol education and treatment programs
- Community service requirement
- Significantly higher car insurance rates
- A permanent criminal record
The specific sentence that may be imposed will depend on whether the individual is convicted of an extreme or super extreme DUI, whether this is the individual’s first DUI offense, and whether there were any mitigating factors, such as a child under the age of 15 in the vehicle at the time of the offense.
Defenses Against Extreme or Super Extreme DUI
It is critical to protect yourself against extreme or super extreme DUI charges in Arizona by hiring an experienced DUI defense attorney as soon as possible. An attorney can immediately go to work on building the strongest possible defense in your favor to protect you from a conviction or severe penalties. While every case is unique, common DUI defenses are:
- Challenging the validity of the traffic stop
- Challenging the accuracy of blood or breath test results
- Showing that a field sobriety test is unreliable or inaccurate
- Valid medical reason for DUI test failure
- Procedural or administrative errors
- Unlawful search or seizure
- Miranda rights violations
- Police misconduct or entrapment
Your defense attorney may be able to have an extreme or super extreme DUI case against you dismissed entirely. Otherwise, your attorney will work to have your charges mitigated or reduced to achieve the best possible results for your case. You may qualify for a plea bargain, for example, that reduces a felony DUI charge to a misdemeanor.
Contact an Extreme or Super Extreme DUI Defense Lawyer in Arizona
It is crucial to hire a defense lawyer if you are facing extreme or super extreme DUI charges in Arizona. Your lawyer will understand the state’s complex DUI laws and how these charges differ from a standard DUI. Your lawyer will apply this understanding to your case to create the strongest possible defense strategy on your behalf.
If you have been charged with extreme or super extreme DUI in Arizona, contact us to request a free consultation with our experienced defense attorneys for legal advice and guidance.
