Suppose your blood alcohol test shows a concentration of 0.08% or more (0.04% for a commercial vehicle requiring a commercial driver's license) or no test results are available. In that case, your driving privileges will be immediately revoked.
You may be eligible for a restricted permit or have your driving privileges reinstated after completing an alcohol or drug screening, which is required before reinstatement.
The penalties and consequences you may face for a DUI conviction depend on various factors, such as the circumstances in which you were cited and the number of prior DUI offenses on your record.
Regular DUI Penalties: Under Arizona law, a first-time DUI offense is considered a Class 1 misdemeanor and carries penalties that include:
- A minimum of 10 consecutive days in jail.
- A fine of no less than $1,250.
- Mandatory alcohol screening, education, and treatment.
- Installing a certified ignition interlock device on any vehicle you operate requires.
- Completion of community service hours.
Extreme DUI Penalties: If your blood-alcohol content was .15% or higher, you would be charged with an "extreme DUI." The penalties for a first-offense extreme DUI include the following:
- At least 30 consecutive days in jail, without the possibility of probation or a suspended sentence.
- A fine of no less than $2,500.
- Mandatory alcohol screening, education, and treatment.
- Installing a certified ignition interlock device on any vehicle you operate requires.
- Completion of community service hours.
Aggravated DUI Penalties: Aggravated DUI charges may be filed by prosecutors in certain situations for a first-time DUI offense. One of those circumstances includes driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol with a minor under 15 in the car. If convicted of an aggravated DUI offense, you will face severe penalties, which may include:
- Imprisonment for up to two years.
- Mandatory alcohol screening, education, and treatment.
- Installing a certified ignition interlock device on any vehicle you operate requires.
- Completion of community service hours.
Apart from the criminal penalties associated with a DUI conviction, there are administrative consequences for a DUI arrest. For instance, an individual arrested for a first-time DUI offense in Arizona will have their driver's license automatically suspended for 90 days, regardless of whether they are found guilty by a judge or jury.
However, you can challenge the administrative license suspension through a separate legal proceeding.