Senate votes on DUI sentence denial

Monday, February 19, 2007 9:12 PM PST

PHOENIX (AP) - The Arizona Senate approved a proposal Monday that would deny suspended jail sentences for people who are convicted of first-offense extreme drunken driving.

The proposal would require judges to give first-term extreme DUI offenders the entire 30-day jail sentence currently called for under Arizona law.

Arizona's extreme DUI law currently lets judges suspend all but 10 days of the sentence if the person completes a court-ordered drug or alcohol treatment program.

In Arizona, a driver is considered under the influence of alcohol if he or she has a blood-alcohol content of 0.08 percent or higher.

The blood-alcohol content for extreme DUI in Arizona is 0.15 or more.

Supporters said the bill targets drivers who have built up a tolerance to alcohol and drive while heavily intoxicated.

The measure (SB1252) was approved in a 29-0 vote by the Senate and now moves to the state House.

This information is courtesy of http://www.mohavedailynews.com/.