Arizona’s complicated tiered DUI system

Posted on September 11, 2018 in DUI Charges

Arizona has some of the toughest DUI penalties in the country. The state uses a four-tier system for classifying DUI penalties.

Tier one: Standard DUI

In Arizona, you are considered legally impaired if your BAC is .08. However, if you are underage, the BAC limit is zero. You are charged with a standard DUI if your BAC is .08, or if you are a minor, and your BAC is .08 or lower. If convicted, you face not less than 10 days in jail and fines of no less than $1,250. You also will be required to completealcohol education classes, do community service and install an ignition interlock device in your vehicle.

Tier two: Extreme DUI

If your BAC is .15 or slightly higher, you are charged with extreme DUI. If convicted, you are sentenced to at least 30 days in jail and are fined no less than $2,500. You will also have to complete alcohol education, perform community service and have an ignitioninterlock device added to your vehicle.

Tier three: Super extreme DUI

Anyone pulled over with a BAC of .20 or higher is charged with super extreme DUI. This is the charge player Lee is facing. A conviction means 45 days in jail and increased fines. You will be required to have ignition interlock device for at least 18 months. If you are from out-of-state, a super extreme DUI charge also means you may have a harder time gettinga plea deal and could end up going to trial.

Priors- It is important to note that if you have a DUI conviction within 84 months the penalties of Tiers 1-3 go up considerably.

Tier four: Aggravated DUI

There are several ways to get charged with an aggravated DUI. You may face aggravated DUI charges, if:

• You receive a DUI while your license is suspended or revoked

• It is your third DUI in 84 months

• There is someone under the age of 15 in the vehicle with you

• There is an ignition interlock device in your vehicle or you were supposed to have one

Get the right DUI attorney, right now

An aggravated DUI conviction means a presumptive two and a half years in prison, fines of at least $4,000 and loss of your license for a long time. You also must complete alcohol education, community service and will have to add an ignition interlock device to your vehicle.