If you’ve been arrested for a DUI in Arizona, and your blood or breath alcohol is above
a 0.15 percent or a 0.20 percent, then you are charged with what’s called an Extreme
DUI.
This video is here to explain what some of the consequences are for an extreme DUI in
Arizona.
Hi, I’m Shawn Hamp.
I’m a Trial Lawyer and Criminal Defense Attorney who practices law here in Mohave
County, Arizona.
An Extreme DUI occurs when someone has a blood alcohol limit above a 0.15.
So, you may know, a 0.08 is the legal limit in Arizona for a DUI.
The Arizona Legislature has made tougher laws for people that are more impaired than that,
for people that have consumed larger amounts of alcohol and still drive a motor vehicle.
For that, they have an Extreme DUI.
An Extreme DUI Level is at 0.15 percent and if you are charged with an extreme DUI, two
significant things will happen.
If you are arrested for an Extreme DUI and the breath alcohol results come back above
a 0.15, the police will immediately impound your vehicle for 30 days.
You cannot get your vehicle back unless you request a hearing with the Police Agency after
30 days.
The other consequence that you will face is 30 days in jail.
Compare that to a regular DUI.
For a regular DUI, it’s punishable with 10 days in jail, but nine days of those jail
stays can be suspended.
An Extreme DUI can be punished with 30 days in jail.
In a regular DUI a defendant will be punished to 10 days in jail, but none of those days
can be suspended if they go to alcohol counseling.
So, therefore they could serve as little as one day in jail.
But, an Extreme DUI has much harsher jail penalties and the minimum jail time is 30
days.
The only way a defendant can get those reduced is totally at the Judge’s discretion and
only if they show proof that they’ve had an ignition interlock device installed.
A Super Extreme DUI is much the same.
A Super Extreme DUI is a DUI above a 0.20 and if you are arrested for a Super Extreme
DUI, you will also get your car impounded for 30 days and then you’re facing a harsher
penalty.
A Super Extreme DUI faces 45 days in jail.
And again, only some of those days in jail can be suspended, solely at the Judge’s
discretion and again, only after an ignition interlock device is installed on a defendant’s
vehicle.
So, as you can tell, the consequences for an Extreme DUI and a Super Extreme DUI are
exponentially more serious than a regular DUI.
If you’re charged with an Extreme DUI or a Super Extreme DUI, it is imperative that
you talk to an attorney to find out what your rights are and what your defenses are in an
Extreme and Super Extreme DUI case.
If you have any questions about a criminal case, please give my office a call.
Let’s find out if your case is something we can help you with.
Call my office at 928-753-6868 or visit my website at HampLaw.com.