The dangers of drunk driving are now common knowledge. Citizens of Arizona are most certainly aware that if they are charged with DUI they will be facing serious consequences.
The specifics of these potential consequences may not be as well known, especially to drivers who are new to Arizona, and young drivers who have only recently had to learn about the penalties associated with a DUI arrest.
This post is meant to be an overview of what to expect when facing a DUI charge, and cannot cover all scenarios. To learn more about how our firm can assist you in dealing with DUI charges please visit our website.
If you are facing DUI or driving under the influence charges in Arizona, you have only 15 days from the date you were pulled over and arrested with drunk driving to contact the Motor Vehicle Division. Your diligence can delay or even prevent a suspension of your driver’s license.
Even if you take this step in a timely manner, you may also want to contact an attorney with experience in defending Arizona DUI cases to guide you through the process. If you said something at the time of your arrest or behaved in a way that raised the suspicion of the police, acting quickly to mitigate those actions may also help reduce the charges against or even result in having the charges dropped. Even statements made when communicating with the Motor Vehicle Division can be part of the evidence used against you.
An arrest for drunk driving can often lend itself to interpretation through field sobriety tests and other observations made by law enforcement at the time of your arrest. If they are conducted in the dead of night by an inexperienced police officer, the likelihood of a mistake in procedure is very possible.
Arizona law provides graduated penalties for DUI offenders so depending on your blood alcohol level at the time of your arrest the penalty you will be facing will vary. Having an Arizona attorney who can argue in your defense about possible problems with the measurement of your BAC can be crucial in minimizing the charges against you.