ASU Students and Out of Town Alums: Drinking Responsibly?

For many college campuses throughout the country, including Arizona State University Sun Devils, Saturday afternoons during the fall and early winter mean one thing for ASU students and alums: football.

Students make plans to meet up, and alums, parents, and fans drive in from various out of town destinations to tailgate before the big game.

Unfortunately, tailgating festivities too often involve binge drinking, drunkenness and people getting behind the wheel. Many people who receive a DUI are unsure of the penalties they face and not sure where to turn, especially if they are visiting from out of town.

Startling Arizona DUI Penalties

In Arizona, the penalties for a first offense driving under the influence (DUI) are severe. If a driver is convicted of DUI in Arizona, there are five penalties that the driver WILL get:

• Automatic Jail time on a first offense of at least 1 day and up to 45 or more;
• Fines that range in the thousands of dollars
• Mandatory Alcohol screening and classes; and
• Installation of an ignition interlock device
• Loss of Driver’s License for some period of time

Drivers can and often do get:

• Community service
• Mandatory MADD impact panels

Arizona DUI’s for Out of State Travelers

College campuses all across the country see a fair share of fans visiting from out of state, especially during homecoming and BCS bowl season. Unfortunately, many of these travelers receive DUI’s. Upon realizing the situation at hand, many are unsure where to turn for trusted legal assistance in the area.

The importance of hiring an experienced DUI attorney cannot be stressed enough. College students and recent graduates, in particular, are just starting to build a future.

If you received a DUI in the state of Arizona, you could face harsh consequences – long term and short term. It’s important to hire an experienced Phoenix DUI attorney in these matters to protect your rights and mitigate any ramifications, especially if you are a college student.