Extreme DUI

Extreme DUI for .15 BAC or Higher

Phoenix Area Extreme DUI Defense Attorney

If you are severely intoxicated at the time of your drunk driving arrest, a conviction will result in stiff consequences at sentencing. It's going to cost you thousands of dollars and jail time. Contact the DUI defense office of Cheryl A. Brown, L.L.C. as soon as possible to protect your rights.

As an experienced DUI defense attorney, I tackle extreme DUI cases for clients across Maricopa, Yuma, Pinal, and Yavapai counties. I offer a free consultation at my Glendale or Tempe office, or can discuss your case by phone.

What Is Extreme DUI?

Under Arizona law, a person can be charged with Extreme DUI if he or she has a blood-alcohol content (BAC) of .15 or greater within two hours of driving a motor vehicle. Arizona recently created a new category of Extreme DUI for persons with a BAC of .20 or greater.

Penalties for Extreme DUI in Arizona

First Offense Extreme DUI of .15 to .19

• 30 days in jail (court may require only 10 days with drug/alcohol evaluation and completion of mandatory treatment program)
• Fines and costs exceeding $2,700
• 90-day driver's license suspension (30 days no driving, and restricted license possible for the remaining 60 days)
• Ignition interlock on car for 12-18 months after license reinstatement
• Continuous alcohol monitoring possible for 30 days or more
• Probation up to 5 years, possible community service
• Possible impoundment of your vehicle

Other penalties may include traffic survival school, and MADD victim impact panel.

Repeat Offense Extreme DUI of .15 to .19 (within 84 months of any DUI / DWI charge)

• 120 days in jail (court may require only 60 days with drug/alcohol evaluation and completion of mandatory treatment program)
• Fines and costs exceeding $3,600
• License revoked one year, no temporary license
• Ignition interlock on car for 12-18 months after license reinstatement
• Continuous alcohol monitoring possible for 90 days or more
• Probation up to 5 years, minimum of 30 hours of community service
• Possible impoundment of your vehicle

First Offense Extreme DUI Greater than 0.02%

• 45 consecutive days in jail; mandatory drug/alcohol evaluation and completion of mandatory treatment program
• Fines and costs exceeding $3,200
• 90-day driver's license suspension (30 days no driving, and restricted license possible for the remaining 60 days)
• Ignition interlock on car for 18 months after license reinstatement
• Continuous alcohol monitoring possible for 30 days or more
• Probation up to 5 years, possible community service
• Possible impoundment of your vehicle

Other penalties may include traffic survival school, and MADD victim impact panel.

Repeat Offense Extreme DUI Greater than 0.20% (within 84 months of any DUI / DWI charge) penalties include:

• 180 days in jail (court may require only 90 days with drug/alcohol evaluation and completion of mandatory treatment program)
• Fines and costs exceeding $4,600
• License revoked one year, no temporary license
• Ignition interlock on car for 2 years after license reinstatement
• Continuous alcohol monitoring possible for 90 days or more
• Probation up to 5 years, minimum of 30 hours of community service
• Possible impoundment of your vehicle

Other penalties may include traffic survival school and MADD victim impact panel.

Legal Challenges to Extreme DUI

After examining the State's case against you, I can advise you about the merits of going to trial versus seeking a plea agreement to a lesser charge. If you are only slightly over the .15 BAC limit, I may be able to convince prosecutors to reduce the charge to DUI with a BAC of .08, (standard DUI or per se DUI), which carries considerably lighter penalties.

Contesting the extreme DUI in court carries the risk of conviction at higher penalties, but there is much at stake even if you plead to a lower charge. There are many reasons why your BAC might register artificially high, and I will thoroughly examine your case for any grounds for dismissing or reducing the charges.

Contact my Glendale or Tempe law office when you need an aggressive DUI lawyer who will fight for your rights. I offer a free consultation, and I accept credit cards and payment plans.