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    DUI

    How an Arizona DUI conviction can get you into a “fine” mess

    Man holding money largeWhen someone is convicted on a DUI charge here in Arizona, the penalties can include jail time, monetary fines, required community service, driver’s license suspension, and drug/alcohol testing, counseling and education – just to name a few.

    Sometimes, just the suggestion of incarceration or a felony conviction is enough to keep a person on the straight and narrow.  But for some people, the most frightening punishment of all is the financial kind.  So let’s talk about DUI strictly in monetary terms.

    Here is the tally of possible fines for an initial DUI conviction:

    • DUI Base Fine = $250
    • Arizona DUI Surcharge = $200
    • Probation Surcharge = $10
    • Prison Construction Assessment = $500
    • Arizona Xtra DUI Assessment = $500

    That adds up to just under $1500, but additional fines are also possible.  This amount does not include court imposed surcharges, court imposed counseling fees, Mothers Against Drunk Driving course fee, or interlock fee, just to name a few.  With a first time DUI conviction you could easily pay $2,000 or more.

    For a second conviction, the fines can jump quite a bit higher:

    • DUI Base Fine = $500
    • Arizona DUI Surcharge= $400
    • Probation Surcharge = $10
    • Prison Construction Assessment = $1,250
    • Arizona Xtra DUI Assessment = $1,250
    • Again, you may incur extra costs, like paying to install an interlock ignition device, for example.

    The fines for a third and/or Aggravated DUI conviction are yet steeper.

    • DUI Base Fine = $750
    • Arizona DUI Surcharge = $600
    • Probation Surcharge  = $10
    • Prison Construction Assessment =  $1,500
    • Arizona Xtra DUI Assessment = $1,500
    • DUI Abatement Fee = $250

    My point here is that a DUI conviction can have disastrous financial consequences in addition to possible criminal penalties.  The best way to avoid it all is to not get behind the wheel if you are in any way at risk.

    Should you find yourself in need of help with a DUI-related legal problem, contact an experienced attorney at Zachary Law Group.  Not only do we offer a FREE 30-minute case evaluation, we dedicate ourselves to finding the best possible solution to your case.  Let us help you “Zach-It.” Put the power of the law on your side, to assert and protect your rights.  Call us today at 1-855-Zach-law.

    What happens if you get pulled over for DUI in Arizona?

    Drunk DrivingIf you are stopped by the authorities for suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI) in Arizona, there is a specific series of questions and events that usually follows the stop.

    • You will be asked to provide your driver’s license and registration
    • You may be asked it you had anything to drink that night. Simply say I respectfully would rather not answer that question without the advice of my attorney.
    • You may be asked to step outside the vehicle and do some simple physical coordination activities – field tests – to see if you appear intoxicated.  You have the right to refuse to take these tests. If you do agree to take this test, let the officer know that you would like to record the test on your phone.
    • You may be asked to permit the officer to search your vehicle.  You have the right to refuse this search as well.  You may be asked other questions, and you have the right to refuse to answer and to request an attorney.
    • You may be asked if you want to take a breath, blood or urine test, and you might be taken to a police station or testing facility for the administration of that test.  You should agree to take the test(s).  Your driver’s license will be suspended for at least a year if you refuse. (The police could get a judge to sign a search warrant requiring you to give your blood). Taking the test could be a much wiser decision than saying no. Depending on the result, you may or may not be charged with a DUI.
    • After the test has been administered, you may be asked whether you want your test sample(s) to be preserved.  Always say yes.  The results can be used as evidence to help your case later.
    • When you are released, it’s a good idea to arrange to have another test done immediately at a hospital or by your own doctor.

    At every stage of the process, remember to be polite and cooperative. You can still refuse to do certain things or answer questions and still remain respectful.

    Finally, and perhaps most importantly, remember that you may request an attorney at any point in the process (if you cannot afford one, the court in most DUI situations will appoint an attorney to represent you at no or little cost to you.) An experienced DUI attorney will have the knowledge and familiarity with every step of the legal process, which can make all the difference between a good outcome and a bad break.

    Consider what you have just read as a dose of helpful, preventive information. It is not legal advice. If you have questions about how DUI laws may affect you, or you are facing any DUI-related legal problems, contact Zachary Law Group for a FREE 30-minute case evaluation.  Once you’ve made the call, you can be confident that we will do everything possible to assert and protect your legal rights and  “Zach-It!”   Call us today at 1-855-Zach-law.

    DUI penalties in Arizona

    California DUI Beer at StadiumThe offense of driving under the influence (DUI) is punishable under Arizona law by several different kinds of penalties.  Those penalties can fall within different categories of criminal offenses from misdemeanors to felonies.

    If the charge is a first offense, for example, and falls within a certain blood alcohol content range, it will likely be charged as a misdemeanor. There may be jail time. Fines may be associated with the conviction.  Counseling can also be required.

    From there, the consequences of more serious DUI offenses also get more serious.  Fines get higher.  You can lose your driver’s license for a year or even longer.  There can be more jail time.  An ignition interlock device may be required for your vehicle.  And depending on the offense, there may be a felony conviction as well.

    If you are curious, you can read the complete list of offenses and penalties online. But let’s face it, reading a list on a screen may not necessarily feel “real.”  You may think, oh, that will never happen to me, so what do I want to know, or even need to know about DUI penalties in Arizona? But the fact is, at some time or another you might find yourself facing a DUI charge.  You may feel you have no options, nowhere to look for help, and no idea of how your situation will turn out.

    If you are charged with a DUI in Arizona, talk with an experienced DUI defense attorney at Zachary Law Group.  We offer a FREE 30-minute case evaluation.  We will listen, answer questions, and work with you to find out all we can about your situation.  “Experience our approach to finding workable solutions to your legal issues.  Instead of waiting or worrying, simply give us a call today.  The sooner you do, the sooner we can “Zach-It!” by putting the power of the law on your side.  Call us today at 1-855-Zach-law.

     

    Is Refusing An Arizona DUI Breath Test A Good Idea?

    If local or state law enforcement pulls you over in traffic to question you on suspicion of drunk driving in Arizona, you have the right to refuse two things:

    1) You can refuse to speak to police without an attorney present, and …

    2) You can refuse to attempt to perform one of our state’s especially strenuous field sobriety tests.

    The one phase of your DUI arrest that you should not refuse, however, is the breath or blood testing portion of a police investigation. A refusal can be its own separate charge and carry especially harsh consequences, such as a year-long suspension of your driver’s license.

    Think of it: complete dependence on public transportation to get to your job, so you can continue to provide for your family; zero spontaneous freedom of movement in a highly mobile society; sharply increased insurance premiums; and damage to your personal and professional reputations.

    Let’s recap. Is a DUI breath test refusal a good idea?

    In a word: no. Police are also within their rights to obtain a search warrant, to secure a sample of your blood. Let’s face it: refusals are no-win situations.

    Are your Arizona driving privileges at risk, not to mention your finances due to heavy fines, because you refused to cooperate with law enforcement at a DUI arrest scene? Experienced DUI and criminal defense attorney Steven Zachary of the Zachary Law Group in Gilbert works hard to protect your rights.

    The cornerstone of Steven Zachary’s law practice — and the attentive personal service that comes with it — is the belief that every problem has a solution. You can pretend the problem doesn’t exist, you can refuse to accept responsibility for it, you can try to buy or talk your way out of it … or you can “Zach it.”

    The law is on your side. Call today and take your worry away with an initial consultation. dui attorney lawyer

    Repercussions Of A DUI Conviction In Arizona

    The aftermath of your Arizona DUI conviction may include a hearing before a judge, a heavy fine, jail time or probation, damage to your reputation and increased insurance premiums.

    And the bad news doesn’t end there.

    Due to the importance of background checks used by landlords and employers in recent years, you could run into all kinds of problems with obtaining housing and a job, even after this legal crisis is behind you.

    You will feel as if your every move is being monitored. Your job interviews can end before they begin, once a prospective employer gets word of your conviction. A mortgage banker or landlord could take a dim view of your criminal background. Suddenly, you have no place to stay and no means of support. This is no way to live.

    Fortunately, there could be a way around this bleak future, if you retain DUI defense counsel who knows the factors that make drunk driving arrests problematic, who knows how to negotiate with prosecutors, and how to aggressively litigate against them in court if necessary. Steven Zachary in Gilbert is that kind of dedicated advocate.

    Steven Zachary of The Zachary Law Group is a skilled, experienced, client-committed criminal defense attorney. He is dedicated to protecting the rights of his Arizona clients accused of drunk driving, driving with a suspended or revoked license, and vehicular manslaughter or vehicular homicide.

    If you have been arrested for DUI, here is the good news: every problem has a solution. You can take it lightly, you can take your chances, you can address it or you can … “Zach it.” The law is on your side. Call today and take your worry away with an initial consultation at Steven Zachary’s Gilbert law office. Call 480-389-3533.

    The Many Problems With Any DUI Arrest

    Too many things can go wrong with a DUI arrest. As a result, there are almost as many ways to defend you after a traffic stop as there are fraudulent reasons for police to stop you for investigation of drunk driving.

    Law enforcement can mistake erratic driving for drunk driving and misconstrue its probable cause to stop you in traffic, abuse your implied consent, test you for drunk driving and arrest you. At which point your life officially becomes miserable.

    At the time of your DUI controversy, you may have been suffering from — or been treated for — a pre-existing medical condition, such as an allergy. You may have had difficulty navigating your car or truck over rough, dangerous roads during inclement weather. Your motor vehicle itself could have been experiencing problems. Any and all of which could raise the suspicions of already overzealous cops looking for someone to arrest.

    To add insult to injury, then comes the strenuous field sobriety test that many sober people are neither strong nor flexible enough to pass, and a defective or malfunctioning breathalyzer that records an erroneous blood-alcohol content level. Before you know it, and without asking for it, you’re on the wrong side of the law and fighting for your ability to legally drive in Arizona.

    Are your driving privileges now at risk, not to mention your freedoms and finances, because you were pulled over by police who jumped to conclusions? DUI and criminal defense attorney Steven Zachary in Gilbert protects your rights.

    Steven Zachary of the Zachary Law Group is a skilled, experienced, client-committed champion of the victims of police overreach during DUI arrests. If a drunk driving arrest is your problem — and you’re looking at consequences such as a jail term, heavy fines, increased insurance premiums and damage to your reputation — please know that every problem has a solution, so … “Zach it.” The law is on your side. Call today and take your worry away with an initial consultation. 480-389-3533.

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