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DUI is illegal in Arizona no matter where a person is from, or what state issued his or her driver’s license. If someone is arrested for DUI in Arizona, for the most part they will face the same potential legal penalties that an Arizona resident would face. A vacation can quickly turn into a nightmare if you are stopped and arrested for a DUI in Arizona. Most people visiting from another state are shocked by the harsh penalties that come with a DUI arrest or conviction in Arizona.
A DUI in Arizona can mean serious consequences, no matter what state issued your license to drive. The Lawyers at Rosenstein Law Group understand what a DUI conviction can mean to your future, including your right to drive, your livelihood, and your freedom. Just because you live out of state does not mean you have to accept a guilty plea. Let an experienced Arizona DUI lawyer fight for you. An Arizona DUI Defense attorney at Rosenstein Law Group may be able to take care of some of your court dates for you, potentially avoiding some travel time and inconvenience. You need a lawyer who will fight for you. Call our office anytime day or night, to set up your free Arizona DUI case evaluation – (480) 248-7666.
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 live out of state. Unfortunately, a typical DUI case will take more than a few months to resolve, with multiple court appearances during that span. However, for most misdemeanor DUI cases, the attorneys at the Rosenstein Law Group can handle court appearances for you, so 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 national standard to identify traffic-related convictions and suspensions or revocations.
For example, if you have a conviction or suspension related to an alcohol offense, 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, just because you were charged with a DUI don’t mean that you will ultimately be convicted. We aggressively defend our clients who find themselves charged with a DUI offense. 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 charges to lower-level offenses. This may eliminate jail time, ignition interlock requirements, fees, and substance abuse classes.
If you ultimately end up with a jail sentence, we will work with you to reduce the consequences of incarceration. In some cases, we may minimize jail time with alternatives like home detention or work release. Additionally, if you do not live in Arizona, we can work with you to arrange your incarceration at a facility in your home state.
Trying to figure out how you will navigate criminal charges while living in another state can be a daunting task. We are available 24/7 to help you with your Arizona DUI case. Whether you want to meet with us before you leave town or have already left town and need guidance on what to do, we are ready to help.
Understand that you may be facing a 90-day or 1-year driver’s license suspension 15 days after your arrest, so it is best to contact an Arizona DUI attorney as soon as possible to discuss your options.
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.