Arizona’s Drunk Driving Laws – Some of the Toughest
Arizona has really been cracking down on drunk driving in the past several years. The introduction several years ago of tough new laws to punish DUI offenders in the State are regarded as some of the toughest in the nation.
What makes them so tough? Mandatory Jail time and fines, and a willingness to convict. If you are charged and convicted with even the lesser DUI count, you will spend time in jail and pay some hefty fines, all on top of your legal fees.
A first time offender can find themselves with 20 days in the Maricopa county jail, while repeat offenders and those convicted of an extreme DUI may be facing 30 days or more. You may have a chance to plea your case down and receive less time, but no matter what, you will be staying at Tent-City for at least a little while.
One of the ways they are able to do this for every offender is by making a work release program, or work furlough available. Offenders must pay the courts in order to have this privilege once granted by the judge.
The work release program allows the person the ability to leave the jail for work on a daily or weekly basis. Depending on the severity of your conviction, you may have to check yourself into the jail every Friday night, spend the weekend in Tent-City, then be released Monday morning for another week of work. Those you need to serve more time, or have an aggravated offense may find that they also must spend their weeknights behind bars as well.
To accommodate getting to and from work, the law provides for a work-only drivers license as most likely your permanent one has been revoked. You will be assigned times of the day you are allowed to drive yourself to and from work, and also to the jail to check yourself in. If you are caught driving outside of the prescribed hours you may risk losing this license also.
Getting caught for a DUI in Arizona is not laughing matter. It is a serious situation with serious penalties. Arizona is quite proud to be known for having some of the toughest drunk driving laws in the U.S.
Tyler Newkirk authors a blog where he provides information about what happens when you get a Phoenix DUI. Read his article on why hiring a Phoenix DUI Lawyer is the right move.
