Extreme DUI Arizona

First New DUI Law:

On Wednesday, April 4, 2001 at 1:00PM, Governor Jane Dee Hull signed Arizona's new Extreme DUI Limit Law. This law became effective immediately upon the Governors signature. This law reduces the Extreme DUI Blood Alcohol Concentration from: .18 BAC to .15 BAC

What .15 BAC means to you:

A person that is operating or in actual physical control with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.15 or greater is guilty of driving while under the EXTREME influence of intoxicating liquor.

If you are convicted and this is your first offense, you will be:

Sentenced to serve a minimum of 30 days in jail. The Judge may suspend all but 10 days of the sentence if the person completes an alcohol or other drug screening, education, or treatment program;

Pay a fine of at least $250, plus any assessments, surcharges, restitution, and incarceration costs imposed by the court.

you will pay and additional assessment of $250;

You may be ordered to perform community service;

you will be required to equip any motor vehicle the convicted person operates with a certified ignition interlock device for a minimum of one year on the conclusion of the license suspension or revocation;

you will have attorney fees (or if you cannot afford one, one will be appointed to you);

your automobile insurance rates will increase substantially if you can find an insurance carrier that will accept you.

Second New DUI Law:

On Wednesday, April 11, 2001, Governor Jane Dee Hull signed Arizona's DUI Limit Law. This law becomes effective on Friday, August 31, 2001 at 12:01 AM. This law reduces the DUI limit from: .10 BAC to .08 BAC

.08 IS NOT A MAGIC NUMBER! If you are driving, or in actual physical control of a motor vehicle with a .08 BAC or more, you are violating the law. However being under .08 BAC does not mean that you will not be arrested and prosecuted for DUI.

Arizona Revised Statutes state that it is unlawful to drive or be in physical control of a vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor, any drug, a vapor releasing substance containing a toxic substance, or any combination of liquor, drugs, or vapor releasing substance if the person is "impaired to the slightest degree."

IMMEDIATE LOSS OF DRIVERS LICENSE. If you are arrested for DUI and you have a BAC of .08 or more, you will surrender your license or permit to drive to the law enforcement officer ON THE SPOT. You will be issued a 30-90 day suspension and restriction on you driving privilege. If you refuse to take a blood alcohol concentration test, the suspension will be for 12 months. All of this happens in addition to criminal proceedings.

THE COST OF A DUI CONVICTION. When you are convicted of a DUI, the financial impact is devastating. You must pay fines, surcharges, attorney fees, participate in and pay for substance abuse screening and treatment, take time off work for court appearances, perform community service, your license is suspended for a minimum of 90 days and your automobile insurance rates skyrocket. You must also spend a minimum of 24 consecutive hours in jail.

The information provided above is based on a DUI arrest involving alcohol, and did not involve a motor vehicle accident that resulted in injury or death. If you are arrested for DUI involving other drugs, and/or involved in a motor vehicle crash that resulted in injury or death, the penalties and consequences are much more severe.