Zero Tolerance DUIs in Arizona

According to DUI.org, Arizona ranks 6th in the nation for most dangerous states for drunk driving, with thousands of easily preventable accidents each year. Many states, like Arizona, have harsh penalties for drivers who take the risk of driving with a BAC of .08% or higher or show visible signs of impairment . Phoenix car crash attorneys, like Gage Mathers Law Group, see these cases all the time.

What ‘Zero Tolerance’ Really Means

In Arizona, you don’t even have to be driving while under the influence of drugs and alcohol. An officer can determine if a driver was going to take the risk behind the wheel based on the location of the car keys, the manner of parking, and more.

Drivers could also face a DUI charge if they are:

• Under twenty-one years old and intoxicated, no matter the limit
• Show signs of impaired driving 
• Are visibly under the influence

This means that even someone with a BAC lower than the legal limit could face the same charges if they’re believed to be inebriated. These zero tolerance policies exist for good reason, though, and are a means to protect all drivers on the road.

Types of Arizona DUI Charges and Penalties

Types of DUIs and Penalties

Staying safe and sober on the road is just as important as following the Move Over law in Arizona to protect first responders and others on the side of the road. When being hit with a DUI charge, drivers can face a myriad of different levels of severity, based on factors like:

• Their BAC
• If this is a first-time or repeat offense
• Level of impairment 

Let’s break down the different types of charges an individual could face:

• Standard DUI: These offenses are for those who have a BAC above .08% or show signs of drug impairment. Anyone with a higher BAC than the limit could face the revocation of their driving rights and privileges. 
• Extreme DUI: These drivers have BACs of .15% or higher. They face not only fines and marks against their record, but also jail time, treatment, and community service.
• Super Extreme DUI: Drivers with a Super Extreme DUI charge often had BACs at .20% or higher. They’ll likely face a couple months of jail time minimum, with thousands in fines.
• Aggravated DUI: This is the most serious DUI charge a driver can face. This charge is reserved for the most severe cases, such as driving under the influence with a minor under fifteen years old in the car, driving with a suspended license, or having multiple offenses already. These drivers could face years in jail, mandatory treatment and screenings, and must serve their community. Their driving privileges can also be revoked at this time.

Why Get Help?

Many innocent people are caught in the crossfire of someone’s poor decisions all the time, leading to serious injuries, and in the most unfortunate cases, even death. In the United States, nearly forty people die in a DUI-related crash. To put that in perspective, that’s roughly one person every thirty minutes. 

If you or your loved one were victims of a DUI-related accident, it’s important to know you don’t have to face the grueling legal process alone. These are traumatic, life-altering experiences.

The team at Gage Mathers Law Group has experience supporting victims through these exact situations, from explaining a driver’s rights to understanding liability in rental car accidents and negotiating with insurance companies to ensure those involved get the compensation they deserve. At the end of the day, our mission is simple. We’re here to help you and your family through the difficult process, while you focus on what matters most: healing.

About the Author

Joseph D'Aguanno

Guided by the belief that being a highly skilled specialist in a narrow field is better than being ordinary in everything, Joseph “JD” D’Aguanno leads Arizona’s best personal injury law firm in Phoenix, AZ. Having extensive cross-training in pre-litigation negotiations and trial lawyer skills, with decades of experience, JD strives to provide clients with the most valuable legal services a personal injury lawyer can provide. Under his direction, Gage Mathers Law Group is an award-winning personal injury law firm providing aggressive representation to victims of a car accident, medical malpractice, dog bite, motorcycle accident, and other injurious events. Gage Mathers is trusted by thousands of lawyers and clients throughout the country because of their reputation for getting clients the maximum compensation they deserve.

Years of experience: Over 24 years
Bar number: 020421
Location: Phoenix, AZ
JD’s Profile