The DUI lawyers in Tempe, Arizona at Oliverson Law, PLLC help individuals facing drunk driving charges, a drunk driving arrest, or the loss of their driver’s license due to drunk driving charges, or refusal to submit to a field sobriety test. While many drunk driving offenses are prosecuted as misdemeanors in Arizona, some DUI offenses can be prosecuted as felonies. Even if you are facing only DUI misdemeanor charges, it is important to take these charges seriously. If you end up with a DUI misdemeanor on your record, you could face a range of collateral consequences, including higher insurance rates, loss of your driver’s license, and other collateral consequences that can impact everything from your job to your housing situation.
If you are facing DUI charges or have been arrested for a DUI in Arizona, one question you might have is this: “Is my DUI a misdemeanor or a felony?” Whether your DUI is pursued as a misdemeanor or a felony will depend on the circumstances of your case, whether this is your first DUI or a subsequent DUI, and other evidence offers have.
Typically, a first-time DUI will result in misdemeanor charges. If your blood alcohol concentration was higher than 0.08%, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation, you could face jail time, fines of $1,250, be required to submit to alcohol screening and testing, be required to go into alcohol education or treatment, be required to perform community service and use an ignition interlock device on your vehicle if you want to get your driver’s license reinstated. An ignition interlock device is a device that requires you to submit to a breath test before you can start your car. The device may periodically require that you submit to a breath test while driving. If your blood alcohol concentration was higher than 0.15%, you could face extreme DUI charges. Jail time for an extreme DUI is longer, and fines are higher (no less than $2,500). Extreme DUI charges are still classed as misdemeanors in Arizona. If your blood alcohol concentration was especially high enough to lead to an extreme DUI or super extreme DUI, you could face higher penalties, and if this is your third DUI within 7 years, your penalties can be more severe and could include felony charges.
Aggravated DUIs can result in more serious penalties and felony charges. If you are arrested for a DUI while driving on a suspended, revoked, or canceled driver’s license, you could face aggravated DUI charges. If you are driving with a child 15 years or under in your vehicle, you could also face aggravated DUI charges. If this is your third DUI in 7 years, you could also face aggravated DUI charges. Aggravated DUI charges are very serious. They can result in prison time, driver’s license revocation up to one year, required alcohol treatment, and community service.
When driving in Arizona, you consent to submit to any drug or alcohol testing if you are stopped under the suspicion of driving while under the influence. If you refuse to submit to a drug or alcohol test, you could have your driver’s license automatically suspended under Arizona’s implied consent laws. Your refusal to take the drug or alcohol test could also be used as evidence against you in court.
Whether you are facing misdemeanor or felony DUI charges, the consequences can have a major impact on your life, your reputation, and your future. Even a first-time DUI can have a serious impact on your freedom and your rights. If you are facing DUI charges, reach out to the Tempe, Arizona DUI lawyers at Oliverson Law, PLLC.
What are some ways a DUI defense lawyer in Tempe, Arizona at Oliverson Law, PLLC can defend your case? There are several strategies that the DUI defense lawyers in Tempe, Arizona at Oliverson Law, PLLC can help you. For example, we can review the circumstances of your arrest to determine if you were in control of the vehicle during your arrest. If you were just sleeping, or waiting in your car to sober up, you may be able to use this as a defense. Officers who stopped you for a DUI, must have had cause to stop you. If officers didn’t have proper cause to stop you, any evidence they gathered after your stop could potentially be dismissed. Breathalyzer results can also sometimes be compromised if breath tests aren’t properly calibrated or administered. Your DUI defense lawyer in Tempe, Arizona can review how officers handled evidence and whether your breath test was confirmed with a blood alcohol test.
Contact our DUI defense attorneys in Tempe, Arizona today to learn about your options. Our DUI defense lawyers may also be able to work with prosecutors to fight your charges, have your charges reduced, or have your charges dropped. We can explore all options available to you.
The drunk driving lawyers in Tempe, Arizona at Oliverson Law, PLLC are here to help you navigate the criminal justice system every step of the way. If you are facing DUI charges or have been arrested for a DUI, you might be stressed out, frightened, and not sure about what your next step should be. Let the Tempe, Arizona drunk driving lawyers at Oliverson Law, PLLC help you with the next steps.
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Former judge, prosecutor, and police officer fighting for your rights. Free, confidential case evaluation. Available 24/7.
