A Scottsdale DUI charge is a serious matter. Even if it is your first offense, you will have to serve jail time, pay fees, and have your license suspended. Higher blood alcohol levels and additional convictions result in stricter punishment. If you are facing a DUI charge, your best course of action is to find a Scottsdale DUI attorney who understands the ins and outs of the system. With your Scottsdale DUI lawyer’s knowledge and expertise, you can work to reduce the charges or fight to get them dropped.
If you have failed a breathalyzer test, you may think that your case is open and shut, but that’s not true. There are many reasons why the test may have been inaccurate. Your real blood alcohol level may have been much lower, possibly even within the legal limit. Issues such as incorrect machine calibration, user error, and differences in your body physiology can result in a higher reading. Did you know that vomiting or using breath spray or mouth wash can also lead to an increase in mouth alcohol which can give a false high reading? These are just a few of the factors that have to be considered when you are looking at the science behind breath tests. And of course, the field test is high subjective, being mostly based on the officer’s opinion of your performance. That’s why you need a Scottsdale DUI attorney on your side who understands these details.
So what possible penalties do you face? Here is a list to help you better understand your situation. The best way to learn all the ins and outs is to call a Scottsdale DUI lawyer.
First Scottsdale DUI Offense, BAC .080 – .14
10 to 180 days in jail
About $1,800.00, plus jail costs
Driver’s license suspension for 90 days
Counseling
Probation for up to five years.
Community Service
MADD Victims’ Impact Panel
Ignition Interlock Device for 12 months.
Second Scottsdale DUI Offense, BAC .080 – .14
90 to 180 days in jail
About $3,500.00 in fines and costs, plus jail costs
Driver’s license revoked for one year
Counseling
Probation for up to five years
Community Service
MADD Victims’ Impact Panel
Ignition Interlock Device for 12 months after license reinstatement.
First Offense Extreme DUI in Scottsdale, BAC .150 – .199
30 to 180 days in jail
About $3,000.00 in fines and costs, plus jail costs
Driver’s license suspension for 90 days
Counseling
Probation for up to five years
Community Service
MADD Victims’ Impact Panel
Ignition Interlock Device for 12 months
Second Offense Extreme DUI in Scottsdale, BAC .150 – .199
120 to 180 days in jail
About $3.750.00 in fines and costs, plus jail costs
Driver’s license revoked for one year
Counseling
Probation for up to five years
Community Service
MADD Victims’ Impact Panel
Ignition Interlock Device for 12 months
First Offense Super Extreme DUI in Scottsdale, BAC .200 or higher
45 to 180 days in jail
About $3,250.00 in fines and costs, plus jail costs
Driver’s license suspension for 90 days
Counseling
Probation for up to five years
Community Service
MADD Victims’ Impact Panel
Ignition Interlock Device for 18 months after license reinstatement.
Second Offense Super Extreme DUI in Scottsdale, BAC .200 or higher
180 days mandatory sentence mandatory
About $4,000.00 in fines and costs, plus jail costs
Driver’s license will be revoked for one year
Counseling
Probation for up to five years
Community Service
MADD Victims’ Impact Panel
Ignition Interlock Device for 24 months
Class 4 Felony Aggravated DUI in Scottsdale
(If you have 3 DUIs within 7 years, or if your license was also suspended or restricted at the time)
4 months in prison, minimum
Up to $150,000.00 in fines
Driver’s license revoked for three years
Counseling
Probation for up to five years
Ignition Interlock Device
Class 6 Felony Aggravated DUI in Scottsdale
(If your DUI occurred when a child under 15 years old was in the vehicle)
Jail Time
Up to $150,000.00 in fines
Driver’s license will be revoked for three years
Counseling
Probation for up to five years
Ignition Interlock Device
If you want to avoid stiffer punishments, your best bet is to hire a qualified Scottsdale DUI attorney. They can help you formulate a strategy for your defense.