2012 Changes in Arizona DUI Laws

Arizona maintains some of the toughest laws in the country concerning drunk driving. Surprisingly, these laws were changed as of January 1, 2012, making them a bit less restrictive in some aspects and more restrictive in others. For instance, the DUI sentencing changes make jail time less severe than it was for those convicted prior to 2012. As of the date when the changes were enacted, however, those facing first time DUI charges involving alcohol test results of less than .15 percent are no longer entitled to jury trials.

The mandatory minimum jail sentence for a regular DUI has been changed from 24 hours to one day. This is helpful in cases where an offender has served almost 24 hours in jail waiting to be booked and released by a judge. Previously to this, if he or she had not served the full 24 hours, another 24 hours of jail time would be required.

Under the change, “a day” is a much vaguer concept which may allow a defendant to be released after less than 24 hours served. Furthermore, someone convicted of an extreme DUI only has to serve 9 days in jail instead of 30 if he or she equips his vehicle with an ignition interlock device (at the offender’s expense). An individual sentenced to 45 days in jail for a super extreme DUI only has to serve 14 if he or she installs an ignition interlock device.

Get Experienced Legal Help from a Phoenix DUI Attorney

When facing a DUI charge of any kind, from a first time offense to a subsequent one, it is not recommended that you try to handle the situation without the help of an experienced attorney. Many factors can impact your case which only an attorney familiar with and skilled in DUI defense will fully understand and be able to ascertain and use. At the Knowles Law Firm, PLC, you will find an experienced legal team that has routinely handled DUI cases of all kinds, from the simplest to the most complex. A Phoenix DUI lawyer at the firm should be consulted immediately following any kind of DUI arrest. The firm has a solid track record of effective case results in this complicated legal area.