Scottsdale Extreme DUI Attorney

If you are severely intoxicated at the time of your drunk driving arrest, a conviction will result in stiff consequences at sentencing. It’s going to cost you thousands of dollars and jail time. Contact the Glendale extreme DUI lawyers at The Law Offices of John Phebus as soon as possible to protect your rights. As experienced DUI defense attorneys, we tackle extreme DUI cases for clients across Maricopa, Yuma, Pinal, and Yavapai counties.

Extreme DUI Is .15 BAC Or Higher

Under Arizona law, a person can be charged with extreme DUI if he or she has a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .15 or greater within two hours of driving a motor vehicle. Arizona recently created a new category of super extreme DUI for persons with a BAC of .20 or greater.

Penalties For Extreme DUI In Arizona

• First Offense Extreme DUI with BAC of .15 to .19:

  • 30 days in jail (21 days may be suspended if you provide proof that an ignition interlock device, IID, has been installed. Depending on the court, you may be eligible to serve 7 of the 9 remaining jail days on home detention.)
  • Fines and costs exceeding $2,700
  • 90-day driver’s license suspension (30 days no driving, and restricted license possible for the remaining 60 days)
  • Ignition interlock on car for 12 months after license reinstatement
  • Continuous alcohol monitoring possible for 30 days or more
  • Probation up to 5 years, possible community service
  • Possible impoundment of your vehicle
  • Other penalties may include traffic survival school, and MADD victim impact panel

• Repeat Offense Extreme DUI with BAC of .15 to .19 (within 84 months of any DUI / DWI charge):

  • 120 days in jail
  • Depending on the court, you may qualify for home detention after the first 24 days of the jail sentence have been completed
  • Fines and costs exceeding $3,600
  • License revoked one year; you may be eligible for a restricted permit after 45 days
  • Ignition interlock on car for 12 months after license reinstatement
  • Probation up to 5 years, minimum of 30 hours of community service

• First Offense Super Extreme DUI with BAC at or Greater than 0.20%:

  • 45 consecutive days in jail; mandatory drug/alcohol evaluation and completion of mandatory treatment program
  • 31 of the 45 days can be suspended if you provide proof that you have installed an ignition interlock device (IID) on your car. Depending on the court, you may be able to serve 11 days of home detention after the first 3 days of jail time have been completed
  • Fines and costs exceeding $3,200
  • 90-day driver’s license suspension (30 days no driving, and restricted license possible for the remaining 60 days)
  • Ignition interlock on car for 18 months after license reinstatement
  • Continuous alcohol monitoring possible for 30 days or more
  • Probation up to 5 years, possible community service
  • Possible impoundment of your vehicle
  • Other penalties may include traffic survival school, and MADD victim impact panel

• Repeat Offense Super Extreme DUI with BAC at or Greater than 0.20% (within 84 months of any DUI / DWI charge) penalties include:

  • 180 days in jail
  • Depending on the court, you may be able to qualify for home detention after the first 36 days in jail have been served
  • Fines and costs exceeding $4,600
  • License revoked one year, no temporary license
  • Ignition interlock on car for 2 years after license reinstatement
  • Continuous alcohol monitoring possible for 90 days or more
  • Probation up to 5 years, minimum of 30 hours of community service
  • Possible impoundment of your vehicle
  • Other penalties may include traffic survival school and MADD victim impact panel

Legal Challenges To Extreme DUI

After examining the State’s case against you, our Glendale criminal defense lawyers can advise you about the merits of going to trial versus seeking a plea agreement to a lesser charge. If you are only slightly over the .15 BAC limit, our attorneys may be able to convince prosecutors to reduce the charge to DUI with a BAC of .08, (standard DUI or per se DUI), which carries considerably lighter penalties.

Contesting the extreme DUI in court carries the risk of conviction at higher penalties, but there is much at stake even if you plead to a lower charge. There are many reasons why your BAC might register artificially high, and we will thoroughly examine your case for any grounds for dismissing or reducing the charges.

Contact our Glendale or Peoria law office when you need an aggressive DUI lawyer who will fight for your rights. Call us now 623-847-7117. We offer a free telephone consultation, and accept credit cards and payment plans.