Multiple DUI Defense Lawyers & Attorneys In Phoenix Arizona
Multiple DUI Defense Phoenix
Under Arizona DUI law, drivers who are convicted of more than one DUI in a given time period suffer increasing penalties such as higher fines, longer license suspension and increasing amounts of jail time. Further, a second, third or subsequent DUI conviction has far-reaching effects on your ability to hold a job and find affordable car insurance.
It may seem incredible that so many people find themselves in the position of facing a second or third DUI conviction, but it is not uncommon. In fact, some experts believe that between one-third and one-half of all DUI convictions are second or subsequent offenses.
One reason that multiple DUIs are so common is that most states have a very long “look back” period for DUIs. Arizona uses a seven-year period; any DUI conviction in the past seven years is considered a DUI for purposes of determining whether this conviction is a second or subsequent charge. Practically, this means that an 18-year-old could have a DUI arrest after a college party, plead guilty or “nolo contendere,” and receive a relatively small fine and license suspension. That same individual could be leaving a bar after a few drinks with friends after work at the age of 25, be pulled over and register exactly .08 percent, and suddenly be labeled a “repeat offender.”
This is hardly the picture that most people imagine when they think of habitual DUI. However, many multiple DUI convictions occur in just this way.
If you are facing a second or subsequent DUI charge, you cannot afford to ignore the implications of a conviction. Conviction for multiple DUI in Arizona effectively means that you will lose your driver’s license for an extended period of time, face thousands of dollars in fines, spend time in jail and will likely be required to install an expensive ignition interlock device on your vehicle. It is very important that you take steps to minimize the impact of a second or greater DUI conviction on your record and on your life.
In many cases, that means securing the help of a professional DUI defense attorney. Negotiating a favorable plea agreement or fighting the questionable circumstances of a DUI stop are not things that are easily accomplished by the average person appearing in court alone. A DUI defense attorney may be able to help you mitigate the damage caused by an accusation of multiple DUI offenses.