Arizona enforces some of the toughest impaired driving laws in the nation. If you’ve been arrested or charged with driving under the influence (DUI) in Buckeye, Arizona, it’s vital to have an experienced DUI lawyer nearby who can protect your rights and build a strong defense. A DUI conviction can carry serious, long-lasting penalties that affect your freedom, finances, and future opportunities. The Buckeye DUI lawyers at Arizona Law Group know Arizona’s DUI laws thoroughly and are prepared to fight for the best possible outcome in your case.
Contact Arizona Law Group today for skilled DUI defense in Buckeye, AZ, and surrounding areas.
Why Arizona Law Group Is the Right Choice for a DUI Defense Lawyer in Buckeye
Choosing the right DUI defense attorney in Buckeye is essential when facing impaired driving charges. Here’s why Arizona Law Group is a smart choice for a DUI lawyer near you in Buckeye:
- Former Prosecutors on Your Team: Our Buckeye DUI attorneys include former prosecutors who understand how the state builds its cases, so we know exactly how to counter their arguments.
- Personalized Legal Guidance: We invest time in understanding your specific situation, keeping you informed at every step and making sure you feel prepared as your case progresses.
- Proven Track Record: Our Buckey DUI lawyers have defended numerous impaired driving cases, often helping clients reduce charges, avoid jail time, or even secure dismissals. We are committed to safeguarding our clients’ futures.
A DUI charge can be daunting, but with our Buckeye DUI defense lawyers nearby, you’ll have the support, experience, and knowledge needed to fight back.
Understanding Arizona’s Strict DUI Laws
Arizona’s DUI laws are among the strictest in the nation, with various types of DUI charges that come with different penalties. These depend on your blood alcohol concentration (BAC), your driving history, and the severity of the offense.
Types of DUI Charges in Arizona
Impaired to the Slightest Degree DUI
In Arizona, you can be charged with DUI even if your BAC is under 0.08%. If an officer believes that you’re impaired “to the slightest degree,” they can arrest you regardless of your BAC level. This shows how strict Arizona is on DUI enforcement.
Standard Misdemeanor DUI (1st and 2nd Offenses)
A DUI charge is a misdemeanor if it’s your first or second offense and your BAC is between 0.08% and 0.15%. Penalties for a first offense include:
- Up to six months in jail
- Fines starting at $250
- A 90-day to one-year license suspension
- Ignition interlock device requirement
For a second offense, the penalties increase to:
- A minimum of 30 days in jail
- Higher fines
- A one-year license suspension
- Ignition interlock device requirement
Extreme DUI
If your BAC is 0.15% or higher, you may be charged with extreme DUI. Penalties for a first extreme DUI offense include:
- 30 days to six months in jail
- Higher fines
- License suspension
- Ignition interlock device requirement
- Probation and alcohol screening
For a second extreme DUI offense, the penalties are:
- At least 120 days in jail
- Substantial fines
- License suspension for a year
- Ignition interlock device
- Mandatory alcohol screening
Super Extreme DUI
A BAC of 0.20% or higher results in a super extreme DUI. The penalties for a first super extreme DUI offense include:
- A minimum of 45 days in jail
- Fines
- License suspension
- Counseling and probation
- Ignition interlock device
For a second super extreme DUI offense, the penalties increase to:
- At least 180 days in jail
- Significant fines
- License suspension for a year
- Required alcohol counseling and community service
- Ignition interlock device
DUI Drugs
Arizona’s zero-tolerance stance means that even small amounts of drugs, including marijuana, cocaine, or certain prescription medications that impair driving, can result in a DUI.
Aggravated Felony DUI
Aggravated DUI is the most severe DUI charge in Arizona, similar to crimes like manslaughter. A DUI can become a felony if:
- You were driving on a suspended license
- You have two prior DUI convictions within seven years
- You were driving with a person under 15 in the vehicle
Penalties for felony DUI include extensive jail or prison time, high fines, loss of driving privileges, alcohol counseling, and an ignition interlock device.
What Counts as DUI in Arizona?
Arizona law says you can be charged with a DUI if your BAC is:
- 0.08% or higher for regular drivers
- 0.04% or higher for commercial drivers
- 0.00% if you’re under 21 years old
Even if you don’t meet these levels, police can still arrest you if they believe you’re impaired in any way. Arizona’s laws are strict, and penalties are harsh even for first-time offenders.
Penalties for DUI in Buckeye, Arizona
Arizona DUI penalties are severe, even for a first offense. You could face:
- Jail time ranging from 24 hours to several months
- Fines from $250 to over $1,500
- License suspension for up to a year or more
- Ignition interlock device installed in your vehicle
- Alcohol screening, counseling, and community service
A DUI conviction can also raise insurance rates and impact your job opportunities. Our Buckeye DUI defense lawyers fight aggressively to reduce these consequences for our clients.
Arizona’s Implied Consent Law
Arizona has an implied consent law, meaning that by driving in the state, you automatically agree to take a breath, blood, or urine test if an officer suspects you of DUI. Refusing these tests can lead to:
- An automatic license suspension for one year
- Your refusal being used against you in court
If you have refused a BAC test, our Buckeye DUI attorneys can explain your options and work to protect your rights.
Common DUI Defenses in Arizona
Our Buckeye DUI attorneys are experienced in using several defense strategies to challenge DUI charges. Here are some effective defenses:
- No Reasonable Suspicion to Stop: Police need a reason to pull you over. If they don’t have a legitimate reason, your case could be dismissed.
- No Actual Physical Control: If you weren’t actually driving or in control of the vehicle, this defense may apply. For example, if you were sitting in a parked car, this defense could be useful.
- Inability to Establish Time of Driving: If it’s unclear when you were last driving, BAC test results may be less reliable since they must be taken within two hours of the last time of driving.
- No Witness to Driving: If no one saw you drive, there may not be enough evidence to prove you were behind the wheel.
- Improperly Administered Field Sobriety Tests: Field sobriety tests must be conducted according to specific procedures. If the officer didn’t do so, the test results may not be reliable.
- No Probable Cause for Arrest: Police need probable cause to arrest you. If they lack solid evidence, we can argue that your arrest was invalid.
- No Miranda Rights Given: If the police didn’t read your rights, any statements you made might be suppressed.
- Improper Breath or Blood Test: Breath and blood tests have strict requirements. If they weren’t met, we can challenge the results.
Arizona DUI Statistics
Each year, thousands of people in Arizona are arrested for DUI. In 2019, Arizona had 27,880 DUI arrests. Although lower than in previous years, this statistic shows how strict DUI enforcement is across the state. Having legal representation by an experienced DUI defense attorney in Buckeye, AZ is essential if you’re facing an impaired driving charge.
How Arizona Law Group’s Buckeye DUI Defense Attorneys Can Help You
At Arizona Law Group, our DUI lawyers near you in Buckeye, AZ, provide dedicated and strategic representation to defend you against DUI charges. We look into every aspect of your case, from the initial stop to testing methods, to identify weaknesses in the prosecution’s evidence. Our goal is to reduce or eliminate penalties, protect your driving privileges, and preserve your future.
Contact Our DUI Lawyers Near You In Buckeye, AZ
A DUI charge can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to go through it alone. If you’ve been charged with DUI in Buckeye, Arizona, reach out to the experienced attorneys at Arizona Law Group. We are prepared to stand by your side, fight for your rights, and work for the best possible outcome in your case.
Call Arizona Law Group today at 602-562-2222 or us the form below to schedule a consultation with a dedicated Buckeye DUI lawyer who will guide you through the process and stand by you every step of the way.