A DUI may result in an arrest, jail time, but you can also wind up costing a person their job. That’s just a few consequences of a DUI conviction. Arizona calls for tough criminal penalties; civil penalties such as loss of driver’s license; and other consequences. The Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (AGOHS) announced it has organized 12 task forces for what it considers to be an intense week of DUI through January 1, 2013.

The DUI task forces 40 – 100 strong include 70 law enforcement agencies valley-wide, and working with Arizona Department of Public Safety.

The goals this year include focusing on both drivers impaired due to alcohol or drugs, especially extreme DUI arrests. The AGOHS reported that Extreme DUI arrests increased statewide 12% from 2011 to 2012. Total DUI arrests have increased over 14% overall from November during this from this time last year to December 27, 2012.

AZ DPS, Director Alberto Gutier, reported to local media sources that instead of employing DUI task forces, that officers would be out tar employs the DUI checkpoint method, in geo-targeted patrols throughout the valley. He indicated that they want to send the message that they are everywhere verses one particular checkpoint.

Arizona DUI Laws

In Arizona it is unlawful to drive “impaired to the slightest degree” due to alcohol or drugs under the legal limit of 0.08% due to alcohol or intoxicating drugs.

A person may also be arrested for DUI if they are driving over the legal limit with a Blood Alcohol Content of 0.08% person.

Driver’s with BAC limits of 0.15% or more will be charged with Extreme DUI; and BAC limits that exceed 0.20% or more will be charged with Super Extreme DUI under Arizona Law. Higher the BAC limits call for harsh sentencing including longer jail terms. . The legal drinking age in Arizona is 21, and a motorist under the age of 21 found to have any alcohol in their system, will be arrested, whether or not that driver is impaired. DUI charges generally brought as Misdemeanors unless Aggravated Factors exist. If Aggravated Factors are present, the charges will be prosecuted as Felonies. These factors include a third DUI with two prior DUI convictions with 84 months; driving impaired due to alcohol or drugs with a child passenger under the age of 15 years old; driving impaired with an invalid driver’s license; or one that involves a serious or fatal auto accident.

DUI Defense Attorney, Chandler AZ

If you face drunk or impaired driving charges, your future and freedom are in jeopardy. You should consult a criminal defense attorney regarding your matter, before your first court appearance. If retained, they will protect your rights; and defend your charges. There may be defenses you are not aware of that could lead to case dismissal, or otherwise favorable outcome in your case.

Additional Resources:

• Arizona Statewide DUI Enforcement Statistics 2012

• Arizona Department of Public Safety

• Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety

• State Legislature – Extreme DUI Laws

• Chandler Police Department

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Law Office of James Novak 4500 S. Lakeshore Drive Tempe AZ 85282 (480) 413-1499 Free Consultation Maricopa County DUI & Criminal Defense Firm Serving Tempe, Phoenix, Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, & Scottsdale AZ www.novakazlaw.com

The phrase “Super Extreme” relative to “DUI” refers to the level or amount of Alcohol Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) found in a person’s system. “Felony” refers to the Classification of criminal charges as in the difference between Misdemeanor and Felony crimes.

Differences between Misdemeanor and Felony DUI charges

First we will discuss the main differences between Misdemeanor DUI and Felony DUI classifications. A majority of DUI charges are classified as Misdemeanors. A Misdemeanor DUI offense will be raised to Felony charges when certain aggravated factors are presents. For this reason, Felony DUI charges are also referred to as “Aggravated”. The penalties for felony DUI charges are more severe than misdemeanor. Convictions will expose a person to prison term, larger fines, fees, and assessments; and driver’s license will be indefinitely revoked.

Aggravated Factors – Felony DUI Charges

Under Arizona law A.R.S. §28-1383 (A) (1), (2), & (3) three aggravating factors that will cause an Arizona Misdemeanor DUI to be elevated to Felony DUI charges.

(1) DUI charge while driving on a suspended, restricted or revoked driver’s license; (2) Third DUI charge within 7 years and you have two prior DUI convictions that occurred during the last 7 years:

(3) DUI DWI and a child under 15 years of age was a passenger in the vehicle you were driving

Super Extreme DUI Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) in Arizona:

The terms “Extreme” or “Super Extreme” refer to the motorist Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) level found in a person’s system.

The legal limit for alcohol in Arizona is 0.08%. If a person exceeds 0.15% they are considered to be Extreme DU; if a BAC exceeds 0.20% or greater they will be charged with Super Extreme DUI – DWI offense.

In Arizona a person can also be charged with DUI for being “Impaired to the Slightest Degree” even if their BAC is below 0.08%, or if they are impaired due to drugs and alcohol, or drugs alone.

Penalties for Felony DUI Super Extreme BAC Convictions:

• Mandatory Prison – 4 months minimum or more;
• 3 year Driver’s License Revocation;
• Participation in Mandatory Alcohol counseling or treatment program;
• Minimum of 30 hours in Community Service;
• Ignition Interlock device on vehicle – current statutory requirements;
• Fines, court fees, prison assessments and fees exceeding $4,000.00.

Tempe AZ Super Extreme Aggravated DUI Lawyer for defense

Felony DUI charges with Super Extreme BAC are very serious. Your future and freedom are at stake. A Felony DUI conviction will leave you with a felon criminal record, prison terms, and have lasting adverse impacts on your life. You should always consult an experienced criminal defense attorney in the jurisdiction where you were arrested or received charges. They will discuss your matter and provide you options for defense. There may be defenses you are not aware of that may lead to a favorable resolution of your charges. If retained, a criminal defense attorney will protect your rights, defend your charges, and pursue the best possible outcome in your case.

Additional Resources:

• Arizona State Legislature = Aggravated DUI Laws
• Arizona State Legislature – Extreme DUI Laws.
• Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (azgohs.gov) Super Extreme DUI Sentencing
• Arizona Department of Public Safety (azdps.gov)

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Law Office of James Novak 4500 S. Lakeshore Drive Tempe AZ 85282 (480) 413-1499 Free Consultation!

www.Arizonacriminaldefenselawyer.com www.novakazlaw.com Arizona DUI & Criminal Defense Serving Tempe, Phoenix, Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Scottsdale, AZ

Aggravated Factors” are those circumstances that elevate a Misdemeanor DUI to a Felony DUI under ARS § 28-1383 and include:

• Two prior DUI Conviction from any state in any state within in 7 years;
• DUI while driving with a suspended or revoked license;
• Drunk driving or driving impaired due to alcohol or drugs, with a minor, age 15 or under, in the vehicle;
• DUI with accident that causes serious bodily harm to another person;
• DUI manslaughter – When the DUI and Auto accident results in a fatality of another Felony DUI Penalties for 3rd DUI charge with two conviction in 7 years

Felony DUI charges are a class 4 felony. These convictions call for the following penalties under ARS 28 § 1383:

• 4 months in prison for 3rd DUI conviction/ months in prison for subsequent;
• Fine at least $750
• Assessment fees $3250.00
• Abatement fees
• Evaluation Costs
• Drug or Alcohol Treatment & Counseling Costs
• Probation and associated fees
• Driving Privileges may be revoked for up to 3 years
• Mandatory Court ordered Ignition Interlock Device (IID) 3 added to your vehicle at your expense, following reinstatement of license
• Court ordered drug or alcohol rehab or counseling treatment, and their costs
• Mandatory Community Service
• Criminal Record to include a Felony
• Restitution if an accident or injury was involved
• Other penalties may be apply if the Court deems necessary and appropriate

DUI defense attorney Tempe AZ

If you face Tempe DUI charges, you should consult a qualified criminal defense attorney regarding your matter. They will provide you with information concerning your charges, as well as your defense options. Arizona has harsh penalties for DUI charges. It is important that you understand the consequences before “pleading guilty” without proper legal representation. If you wish to invoke your right to retain an attorney on your behalf, you should “Plead Not Guilty” at your Arraignment. If you are not being represented, you must appear for your Arraignment. Failure to appear will result in a bench warrant for Arrest. If you hire legal counsel, they will advise you further regarding the proceedings. If retained your attorney will protect your rights, defend your charges, and work to get the best possible outcome in your case.

Law Office of James Novak 4500 S. Lakeshore Drive Tempe AZ 85282 (480) 413-1499 www.Arizonacriminaldefenselawyer.com www.novakazlaw.com Arizona DUI, DWI, Drunk Driving & Criminal Defense Firm Serving Tempe, Mesa, Chandler, Scottsdale, Phoenix, Gilbert AZ. Free Consultation!

If you were face Mesa DUI charges you should contact a Mesa DUI Attorney or AZ DUI Lawyer who defends Mesa DUI charges in the Mesa Courts frequently. The Criminal Defense or DUI Attorney defending charges in Mesa, AZ will ask you some important questions. If you have consulted an experienced Arizona or Mesa Arizona DUI lawyer one of their first questions will be “Why did the Mesa police claim they pulled you over?” Although that may sound like an insignificant question, the answer is imperative to your defense. In fact, it could just lead to a possible complete dismissal of your Mesa DUI charges.

The United States Supreme Court has held that the police or law enforcement entity must have a “reasonable suspicion” that a crime or traffic offense has been committed or is in progress of being committed in order to stop a vehicle. (This does not apply to DUI Sobriety Checkpoint Stops. Those DUI stops are determined in advance by means of a mathematical formula decided by City or County Officials or the Police Department Management for that particular Task Force or DUI Check Point location).

“If your Mesa DUI stop was found to be unlawful, there is strong possibility it could lead to dismissal of your Mesa DUI charges.”

If the officer did not have a valid “reasonable suspicion” as described above, then the remedy in negotiations with the prosecution may call for a dismissal of the DUI charges. An officer cannot legally stop a driver unless they can substantiate a specific and just cause to believe there has been a traffic infraction or other violation of law. For example weaving within one’s own traffic lane for a short distance or making a wide turn, is not generally unlawful and should not justification for a Police Officer to stop you for suspicion of Drunk Driving in or Drug DUI in Mesa. These types of driving actions are commonly seen in unimpaired drivers.

If the Mesa DUI stop by the police was illegal then your Mesa DUI Attorney will go through the proper channels, argue the defense, and file the appropriate motions to have your DUI charges dismissed. The police work closely with the Mesa prosecutors to justify that their actions of stopping the vehicle and that “reasonable suspicion” existed for the stop. If the Prosecution and your Mesa DUI Lawyer are unable to reach an agreement, finally, it will be up to the judge to decide if the stop was truly meritless. In some cases charges can be reduced or evidence suppressed. But at the evidentiary hearing, when your Attorney discusses the weaknesses in the prosecutions cases, they are much more likely to negotiate in your favor for the best possible outcome. If your Mesa DUI stop was found to be unlawful, there is strong possibility it could lead to dismissal of your Mesa DUI charges.

To learn more about the many DUI Defenses that can be used to get your case dismissed, charges reduced, or evidence suppressed visit WWW.arizonacriminaldefenselawyer.com. Here you can download free “Arizona Winning DUI Defense Strategies” © books written by winning defense Attorney James Novak, which includes “101 AZ DUI Defenses” ©.

If you have been charged with any Mesa AZ DUI, Extreme DUI, Repeat Offense DUI, Under age 21 DUI, DUI wit child under 15 in vehicle, Aggravated Felony DUI, Drug, Felony Drug, Dangerous Drug, Narcotics, Marijuana, any Arizona DUI, Drug DUI, or any other criminal charge including theft, assaults, aggravated assault, domestic violence, drugs crimes, probation violations, robbery, computer crimes, ID theft crimes, or any other criminal charges contact the Law Office of James Novak, for your Free Consultation at (480) 413-1499. Speak directly with experienced Arizona criminal Defense and DUI Defense Attorney James Novak (Former Prosecutor). The Law Office of James Novak is devoted to handling 100% DUI, Drug & criminal cases in Gilbert, Phoenix, Tempe, Chandler, Mesa, Scottsdale, and surrounding areas valley-wide within Maricopa County Arizona.

more This post was intended to provide general information only and is not intended as specific legal advice. You should not rely upon this information alone, but should consult legal counsel regarding the application of the laws and regulations discussed and as applied to your specific case or circumstance.