Driving drunk is already considered a very serious offense in Arizona, as is the case throughout the United States. However, in certain situations, charges may be elevated to the level of felonies, which can mean harsher penalties and longer sentences. It is even possible to receive felony charges for what might otherwise have been considered a misdemeanor,if the offense follows multiple others within a set period of time.
In Arizona, as an article on DUI charges by the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety explains, three or more DUI incidents within a space of 84 months can result in felony charges. Similarly, any drunk driving offense committed while your license is suspended is also considered a felony. Another condition that can lead to this is having a passenger aged 15 or under at the time of the offense.
In certain cases, a driver may even be charged with what is termed Super Extreme DUI. This occurs if they are found to have a blood alcohol concentration of 0.2 percent or above while operating a vehicle. The legal limit for a regular DUI is less than half that at 0.08 percent.
Charges of this nature can impact your life severely. Not only may you face fines or the loss of your license. If you are unable to drive as a result of your conviction, this could affect your ability to carry out day-to-day tasks such as shopping or getting to work. Worse still, if you rely on your vehicle for your employment, a DUI conviction could cost you your job.
It can be difficult to know what to do if you find yourself in this situation, but you may find the support of an attorney helpful. He or she can evaluate your case and may be able to assist you with building your defense.
