DUI Charges & Cases Defense in Tempe AZ

Being charged with DUI or DWI is very serious. Even if you are a first-time offender, you face the risk of jail time, a driver's license suspension, fines and the requirement to attend alcohol or drug-related screening and classes.

In addition to the legal issues that come with being convicted of driving under the influence, you will also face many personal challenges. Your car insurance premiums may significantly increase, and you may need to purchase a special policy known as an SR-22 for extra coverage. You may also find it more difficult to obtain a job or a promotion.

When you are facing a serious charge like DUI, it’s important to have a qualified attorney representing your case. Having a DUI attorney in Tempe AZ manage your case can help you get a fair trial and potentially have the charges dropped or the punishment significantly reduced.

What is the Difference Between a DUI vs. DWI?

Driving under the Influence (DUI) or Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) are the technical terms used to describe operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. DUI and DWI are often used interchangeably by the police and the court system.

Regardless, you should take the charges very seriously. Arizona has some of the strictest DUI/DWI laws in the country, and the prosecutors are very adamant about pushing the punishment to the full extent of the law.

Penalties and Punishment

There is a very broad range of penalties and punishments that are associated with a DUI conviction. Because there are so many different levels of DUI, ranging from a misdemeanor to a felony, it is hard to say exactly what the penalties will be for the charges against you. However, anyone convicted of a DUI at any level has the potential for the following punishments:

• Jail or prison sentence
• License suspension or revocation
• Requirements for an ignition interlock device
• Drug or alcohol counseling mandated by the court
• Community service
• Fines

It should be understood that every conviction of a DUI will include a jail sentence, even if it is for a misdemeanor. The minimum jail sentence required is ten days, with the possibility of having nine days suspended if the drug and alcohol therapy classes are attended by the person convicted.

What is the Difference Between a Misdemeanor and Felony in Tempe Courts

Generally, a first-time arrest for this offense is a misdemeanor DUI, and possibly the second arrest if the crime did not involve an accident or injuries and there were no minors under the age of 15 present in the vehicle.

Misdemeanors can be categorized into three distinctions: regular DUI, which applies to anyone with a blood alcohol concentration reading of up to .15%, extreme DUI for those with blood alcohol readings greater than 0.15% but less than 0.20%, and super extreme with alcohol readings of .0.20% or greater.  Each of these categories has its own penalties and requirements.

A DUI is charged as a felony if it is the third conviction for a person within a seven year period or if the person was driving on a suspended license, operating a vehicle under the influence with an ignition interlock device in their vehicle, or if a minor under the age of 15 was in the vehicle.

The penalties for a felony conviction are more serious than those associated with a misdemeanor. Anyone convicted of a felony will face a prison sentence, a revocation of their license, a requirement for an ignition interlock device when their driving privileges are returned, and much higher fines. Everyone convicted of a felony will be required to attend a screening and  counseling for alcohol or drug abuse.

Why You Need The Legal Services of Attorney Robert A Dodell

Robert A. Dodell, Attorney at Law in Tempe, has successfully represented many clients facing serious charges of DUI/DWI. I understand how much a DUI conviction could change your life. I know that I must be very aggressive in representing my clients so that they can receive a fair result and obtain the best possible outcome for their criminal case.

There are many reasons that a blood alcohol test could provide skewed results. An inexperienced officer, a testing kit that was not well maintained, improper testing of the sample, even some medical conditions can cause these devices to register a much higher number than what was actually present in the body.

I look at every aspect of your case, from the arresting paperwork to the machine used for testing.  I interview the officers to determine if they did or not do their job properly and I will make sure that I build the best defense case on your behalf. Although I cannot make promises for an acquittal, I can promise that I will use all my skills and resources to get the best outcome for your case.

Many people feel as if they should just appear before the judge and explain their case and hope for the best. If this was a perfect world, that may work. Sadly, the world is not perfect, and many people who self-represent in a DUI case find themselves facing the full extent of penalties and punishment.

You do not have to face these serious charges on your own. Robert A. Dodell, Attorney at Law, has successfully represented many people who have been charged with DUI. Don't risk high fines and jail time; speak with an attorney today.