In this short video, David Cantor explains 2nd Offense Super Extreme DUI Penalties in Arizona:
What is a Super Extreme DUI? Technically, in Arizona, we have an Extreme DUI, which is Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of .15 up to .199, but there’s an enhancement provision in the statute: if you have a .20 BAC or above, according to A.R.S. §28-1382(D)(1) that’s called a Super Extreme DUI. Additionally, if you have a DUI with .20 BAC or higher, and you have one prior DUI in the last seven years, then you are subject to these following consequences and mandatory minimum penalties:
- You’ll be facing 6 months in jail. That’s 180 days in jail with none of them suspended, meaning you have to serve every one of those days. The jail costs will be $18,500, and the fine and surcharge on top of that will be approximately $3,300.
- You will be required to do a substance abuse screening, and whatever classes they recommend. It is $100 for the screening. The 36 classes are the minimum, and they cost $1,000.
- As far as the license suspension, you’ll get a one year license suspension, and then for the next two years after you get your license back, you’ll be required to have an ignition interlock device on your steering wheel, which will run approximately $3,000 over that 2 years. Now, what is this device? It’s a breath testing device that you have to blow into on your steering wheel to start your car, and every 15 minutes after it’s running, you have to blow into it again to keep it running. Then, every 90 days, you’ll have to take it down and get it tested. They will download the chip to make sure that you haven’t been driving with alcohol in your system.
- On top of all of that, your increased insurance costs will be $3,000 a year higher than it is now for the next 3 years, so that’s $9,000 in increased insurance costs. And the SR22 requirement, which is a reporting provision, where the insurance company will tell the DMV if you don’t maintain insurance. This will run you $500 a year, or $1,500 over your next 3 years.
- Lastly, they will require you do 30 hours of community service.
So, if you are stopped and convicted of your Second Offense Super Extreme DUI A.R.S. §28-1382(D)(1), then served your 6 months jail time, paid your $18,500 in jail costs and another $3,300 or more in fines, and said “I will just take the bus,” it will still cost you $21,800 over the next 3 years. And if you do want to drive and decide to get insurance, add $9,000 on top of that. Now you’re past $30,000, this is very serious stuff! Other repercussions: if you have a CDL, it will be gone, if you’re a doctor, nurse, pilot, lawyer, if you have a real estate license, if you’re a government or military, you will probably lose your job, lose your clearance, and lose your professional status.
Please visit our Case Victories section and you’ll see that we’ve handled thousands of these and many times we can prevent admission of the prior conviction, which means 180 days drops down to 45 days. Not only blow up the prior, but potentially reduce a super extreme or an extreme DUI to a regular DUI. Now jail time drops all the way down to 1 day in jail. Our firm has done this numerous times. So, if this applies to you, or a loved one, go to our site, fill out a contact form or give us a call at (602) 307-0808 and we will set-up a free initial consultation with you. Give us a call and we’ll take good care of you.