The Court Of Public Opinion

The rising incidences of DUIs (driving under the influence) in Arizona have prompted lawmakers to institute higher fines, making it more difficult for offenders to circumvent the consequences of their actions.

The Arizona DUI fines are now pegged at $1,450 for first-time offenders and $3,400 for second-time offenders. This includes standard fines, surcharges (amounting to 80 percent of the fines), additional $500 fine imposed on first-timers, and $1240 for repeat offenders. These additional fines were imposed in August 2005, to augment the standard fines that only covered expenses for court procedures.

The additional money goes to improvements in highway safety systems and prison housing facilities, according to Arizona lawmakers. The Arizona Department of Public Safety is adding more police \\ along highways to help deter and arrest drivers who go on the road while under the influence of alcohol and other substances. The fines also go to prison construction assessments, since every DUI offender found guilty needs to serve a mandatory prison sentence.

Note that fines actually vary depending on the gravity of the offense. First-time offenders found to have very high alcohol content in their bloodstream (.15 or more) may be asked to pay as much as $2,700. The fines stated above are the minimum fines, and depending on the judge, an offender may be forced to pay a much higher amount. In addition to the crippling fines, DUI offenders may also lose their driver’s license and are ordered to submit to alcohol screening and drug and alcohol counseling sessions.

If you happen to be charged with DUI and cannot pay the fine upfront, you have the option of paying it over time. Immediately consult with an experienced Arizona DUI attorney to prevent losing your license and to protect yourself from other possible fees. But the best advice is still prevention – don’t drink and drive. This way you stay safe, avoid fines and keep your record clean.

Arizona DUI Attorneys provides detailed information on Arizona DUI Attorneys, Arizona DUI Fines, Arizona DUI Defense, Arizona DUI Laws and more. Arizona DUI Attorneys is affiliated with Arizona DUI Penalties.

Information greatly affects the decisions you make – the more you know about the laws and penalties imposed by the State of Arizona on DUI offenders, the more unlikely you are to get behind the wheel after drinking.

If you are found have less than .08 percent alcohol in your blood at the time of your arrest, you are considered to be impaired to the slightest degree and will be sentenced to 10 days in jail (with nine days suspended provided you attend and complete an alcohol education seminar). You need to pay about $1,450 (minimum) in fines, but the judge can impose as much as $2,500 and send you to jail for six months. These penalties apply if your blood alcohol concentration is between .08 percent to less than .15 percent.

If your offense is more serious, and you are found to have .15 percent blood alcohol concentration, be prepared to spend more time in jail – 30 days, with 20 days suspended provided you finish alcohol screening and education and agree to equip your vehicle with an ignition interlock device. The judge can impose higher penalties, especially if it is your second offense. You can spend as much as 6 months in jail, pay much more than $2,500 in fees and surcharges and be subject to about 3 years of probation.

Remember that the State of Arizona does not have to prove that you have a blood alcohol concentration of at least .08 percent to convict you – if they find any trace of alcohol and prove that it impairs your ability to drive, you can be convicted. Be safe and do not drive when you’ve had drinks, even if it is just an ounce or two. Ask friends to drive you home, or hail a cab. When it comes to DUI, the old adage still makes sense – it is better to be safe than be sorry.

Arizona DUI Attorneys provides detailed information on Arizona DUI Attorneys, Arizona DUI Fines, Arizona DUI Defense, Arizona DUI Laws and more. Arizona DUI Attorneys is affiliated with Arizona DUI Penalties.

The rising incidences of DUIs (driving under the influence) in Arizona have prompted lawmakers to institute higher fines, making it more difficult for offenders to circumvent the consequences of their actions.

The Arizona DUI fines are now pegged at $1,450 for first-time offenders and $3,400 for second-time offenders. This includes standard fines, surcharges (amounting to 80 percent of the fines), additional $500 fine imposed on first-timers, and $1240 for repeat offenders. These additional fines were imposed in August 2005, to augment the standard fines that only covered expenses for court procedures.

The additional money goes to improvements in highway safety systems and prison housing facilities, according to Arizona lawmakers. The Arizona Department of Public Safety is adding more police \\ along highways to help deter and arrest drivers who go on the road while under the influence of alcohol and other substances. The fines also go to prison construction assessments, since every DUI offender found guilty needs to serve a mandatory prison sentence.

Note that fines actually vary depending on the gravity of the offense. First-time offenders found to have very high alcohol content in their bloodstream (.15 or more) may be asked to pay as much as $2,700. The fines stated above are the minimum fines, and depending on the judge, an offender may be forced to pay a much higher amount. In addition to the crippling fines, DUI offenders may also lose their driver’s license and are ordered to submit to alcohol screening and drug and alcohol counseling sessions.

If you happen to be charged with DUI and cannot pay the fine upfront, you have the option of paying it over time. Immediately consult with an experienced Arizona DUI attorney to prevent losing your license and to protect yourself from other possible fees. But the best advice is still prevention – don’t drink and drive. This way you stay safe, avoid fines and keep your record clean.

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Information greatly affects the decisions you make – the more you know about the laws and penalties imposed by the State of Arizona on DUI offenders, the more unlikely you are to get behind the wheel after drinking.

If you are found have less than .08 percent alcohol in your blood at the time of your arrest, you are considered to be impaired to the slightest degree and will be sentenced to 10 days in jail (with nine days suspended provided you attend and complete an alcohol education seminar). You need to pay about $1,450 (minimum) in fines, but the judge can impose as much as $2,500 and send you to jail for six months. These penalties apply if your blood alcohol concentration is between .08 percent to less than .15 percent.

If your offense is more serious, and you are found to have .15 percent blood alcohol concentration, be prepared to spend more time in jail – 30 days, with 20 days suspended provided you finish alcohol screening and education and agree to equip your vehicle with an ignition interlock device. The judge can impose higher penalties, especially if it is your second offense. You can spend as much as 6 months in jail, pay much more than $2,500 in fees and surcharges and be subject to about 3 years of probation.

Remember that the State of Arizona does not have to prove that you have a blood alcohol concentration of at least .08 percent to convict you – if they find any trace of alcohol and prove that it impairs your ability to drive, you can be convicted. Be safe and do not drive when you’ve had drinks, even if it is just an ounce or two. Ask friends to drive you home, or hail a cab. When it comes to DUI, the old adage still makes sense – it is better to be safe than be sorry.

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Contrary to what you might think, an Arizona DUI (driving under the influence) is not an open and shut case. If you hire a good lawyer, decisions can be overturned. Keep in mind that you are not presumed guilty when you are arrested for DUI. A good attorney can put together a solid defense case that can protect you from a drunk-driving charge.

For example, the arresting officer must read you your Miranda rights. If the officer fails to tell you that you have the right to remain silent and the right to a lawyer, your case could either (a) be dismissed, or (b) all statements made following the arrest can possibly be suppressed. It is important to tell your lawyer everything that the arresting officer did or said when you were arrested. Small details can help your attorney build your case.

Your attorney can likewise prove that the officer had no reasonable cause to stop your vehicle in the first place. If you were not driving the vehicle when the officer stopped you, your lawyer can likewise argue that you were not in actual physical control of the car, and your case may be dismissed.

You can lessen the negative impact of a DUI by seeking the help of an experience attorney who can protect you against the strictest tenets of the Arizona DUI law. Keep in mind, however, that serving time in jail for DUI is mandatory; so dont expect to evade this regulation especially if you know that you were in fact driving under the influence. A good DUI attorney can, however, shorten your jail time and reduce your fines, depending on the seriousness of your case. Get in touch with a DUI attorney immediately after your arrest to prevent further damage.

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