available 24/7
(480) 248-7666
Arizona is a popular destination for people from all over the Southwest United States. For example, many visitors to Arizona will head up to Payson for a day trip to enjoy the cooler weather in the White Mountains. Others travel to central Arizona from parts of New Mexico, passing through Payson on their way.
A visit to Arizona can quickly turn into a nightmare, though, if you are stopped and arrested for a DUI. Most people visiting from states are shocked by the harsh penalties that come with a DUI arrest or conviction in Arizona.
Trying to figure out how you will be able to navigate criminal charges while living in another state can be daunting. That is why we at the Rosenstein Law Group are available 24/7 to help you with your Arizona DUI case. Whether you want to meet with us before you leave town, or if you have already left town and need guidance on what to do, we are here for you.
Understand that you may be facing a 90-day or 1-year driver’s license suspension 15 days after your arrest, so it is best to contact an Arizona DUI attorney as soon as possible to discuss your options.
Below are answers to some commonly asked questions from our out-of-state DUI clients. Every case is different, though, so we recommend that you call us at 480-248-7666 or contact us online to set up a free consultation.
A typical Arizona DUI case will take at least a few months to resolve, with multiple court appearances during that time. For most misdemeanor DUI cases, our attorneys can handle court appearances for you, so you do not have to worry about the added time and expenses involved in traveling back and forth to Arizona.
The punishments for a DUI arrest or conviction in Arizona can reach beyond state lines. When it comes to a driver’s license suspension, many people question whether their home state driver’s license will be suspended when they see language stating that their Arizona driving privilege will be suspended or revoked. If your driver’s license is from a state other than Arizona, you may still face a lengthy suspension or revocation.
If you commit a traffic violation like DUI in Arizona, the Arizona Motor Vehicles Division shares that information with other states through the Interstate Driver’s License Compact. This compact is an agreement between states that allows them to input data about a person’s motor vehicle record into a national database.
State laws can vary when it comes to driver’s license suspensions because of a DUI arrest or conviction. The American Association of Motor Vehicle Administration (AAMVA) publishes the AAMVA Code Dictionary (ACD). The ACD is a set of codes that set a nationwide standard to identify types of traffic related convictions, suspensions, and revocations.
If you have a conviction or suspension related to an alcohol offense, your driving record will show an ACD code that will notify your home state that in Arizona you have been convicted of a DUI offense and if you have received a driver’s license suspension or revocation because of an alcohol related offense. The state in which you hold your driver’s license can then take action to suspend, revoke, or place restrictions on your driver’s license.
Each state treats DUI license suspensions and revocations differently. Having an experienced DUI attorney in Arizona can help to reduce or prevent any negative driver’s license impacts in your home state.
A misdemeanor DUI conviction may result in jail time ranging from 10 to 180 days. However, just because you were charged with a DUI does not mean that you will ultimately be convicted. We aggressively defend our clients who find themselves charged with a DUI offense. If we can have the charges dismissed or if we win at trial, then you will not be looking at any jail time. In other cases, we will work to reduce the charges against you to lower-level offenses. This may eliminate not only jail time, but also ignition interlock requirements, fees, and substance abuse classes.
If an Arizona court imposes a jail sentence on you, then we will work with you to reduce the consequences of incarceration. In some cases, we may be able to reduce jail time with alternatives like home detention or work release. Also, if you do not live in Arizona, then we can work with you to arrange for your incarceration at a facility in your home state.
At the Rosenstein Law Group we work with many clients who live outside of Arizona. Our law offices are available to you at all hours, every day. No matter what your travel plans look like, we are available to schedule a free consultation with you.
The Rosenstein Law Group can help you, as an out-of-state driver in Arizona, to avoid at least some of the complications that come with being charged with an Arizona DUI charge. Contact us at 480-248-7666 or reach out to us online to schedule a free consultation today.