Many people travel to Arizona to enjoy the weather, outdoor activities, and sporting events. People traveling from parts of California and Nevada frequently pass-through Kingman on their way to the Phoenix Area. However, a relaxing visit can quickly turn into a nightmare if you are stopped and arrested for a DUI. Most people visiting from another state are shocked by the harsh penalties of a DUI arrest or conviction in Arizona.
Trying to figure out how you will navigate criminal charges while living in another state can be a daunting task. We can be reached 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to help you with your Arizona DUI case. Below are answers to some commonly asked questions from our out-of-state DUI clients. Every DUI case is different, but there are some things like license suspensions and discovery requests that are highly time sensitive. So, call us at 480-248-7666 or contact us online here to set up a free consultation. Consultations are available by phone or by video, in addition to in-person appointments at our office.
Aside from asking what the consequences are for a DUI conviction in Arizona (see our DUI Consequences page for an answer to that question), one of the most common questions we receive from people is – whether they will have to come back to Arizona for court if they were charged with a DUI while visiting the state. A typical DUI case will take months to resolve, with multiple court appearances during that span. For most misdemeanor DUI cases, the attorneys at the Rosenstein Law Group can handle court appearances for you. Therefore, 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, such as a DUI, in Arizona, that information is shared with other states by the Arizona MVD 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. Many states have different laws and regulations regarding driver’s license suspensions as a result of a DUI arrest or conviction, so the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administration (AAMVA) publishes the AAMVA Code Dictionary (ACD).
The ACD is a set of codes used to set a nationwide standard to identify types of traffic-related convictions and suspensions or revocations. Suppose you have a conviction or suspension related to an alcohol offense. In that case, your driving record will show an ACD code beginning with an “A” and followed by two numbers. This ACD code will give notice to your home state that you were convicted of or received a suspension or revocation due to an alcohol-related offense, such as a DUI in Arizona. 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 but having an experienced DUI attorney in Arizona can help 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, a DUI charge does not necessarily mean that you will be convicted. We aggressively defend our clients who find themselves charged with a DUI defense. If we can have the charges dismissed or win at trial, you will not be looking at any jail time. In other cases, we will work to reduce or eliminate jail time. If you ultimately end up with a jail sentence, we will work with you to minimize the consequences of incarceration.
In some cases, we may reduce jail time with alternatives like home detention or work release. Additionally, suppose you do not live in Arizona. In that case, we can work with you to arrange your incarceration at a facility in your home state.
At the Rosenstein Law Group, we work with many clients who live outside of Arizona. We can be reached 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Hence, no matter what your travel plans look like, we are available to schedule a free consultation by phone or video, in addition to in-person appointments. The Rosenstein Law Group can help you avoid complications that come with being charged with a DUI in Arizona as an out-of-state driver. Contact us at 480-248-7666 or online to schedule a free consultation today.