two conical champagne glasses filled with drink

New Years Eve & Extreme DUI in AZ

We all like to let loose a little and enjoy ourselves around the holidays. Whether it’s New Year’s Eve or any other holiday around this time of year, a few adult beverages are likely to be enjoyed by yourself, friends and family. However, this is possibly the most dangerous time to risk having anything to drink and getting behind the wheel of your vehicle. Holiday weekends have some of the highest numbers when it comes to DUI checkpoints and DUI arrests. The last thing you want to start 2017 with is an extreme DUI in AZ.

In 2013, between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve, over four thousand people in Arizona were arrested for DUI. The average BAC of those arrested was 0.15, which is extreme DUI territory. However, it is important to note that you can be arrested for DUI in AZ even if you are below the legal limit of .08. It all depends on whether the officer believes you are impaired. This is especially true if you are under the age of 21.

As a reminder, extreme DUI in AZ is a charge that you can be arrested for if you are found operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration of above .15. Below are the possible penalties for your first offense of extreme DUI in AZ.

  1. 30 days in jail
  2. Alcohol screening and follow-up treatment
  3. $250 fine plus surcharges, usually around $500
  4. Mandatory assessments of $1000 to DOC and $1000 to DPS
  5. Mandatory assessment of $250 to the DUI Abatement Fund
  6. MVD will require the installation of an Ignition Interlock Device for 12 months
  7. 8 points will be assessed to your MVD record. This could result in a further suspension of your driving privilege. This suspension may be avoided by attending Traffic Survival School.

Are you facing charges of extreme DUI in AZ? Don’t face these daunting and life-altering charges alone. Contact certified criminal law specialist, Todd Coolidge, today.

*The information in this blog is for general information purposes only. This blog post should not be taken to constitute a formal recommendation or professional advice. We exclude all representations, warranties, legal liability or responsibility relating to its content.

Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (12/15/2016) Ginny (Flickr)