
Arizona classifies DUIs according to how much your BAC was elevated. If you had a high BAC, you could be charged with an extreme DUI, which carries more substantial penalties than a standard DUI. You can work with an Arizona extreme DUI lawyer to get your charges dropped, negotiate a charge reduction in return for a guilty plea, or defend yourself in court.
The team here at Grand Canyon Law Group builds relationships with our clients through open, transparent communication, making sure that they feel empowered and informed throughout the legal journey. We approach all of our cases with empathy, advocating for our clients as allies and tirelessly pursuing positive outcomes. Whether you plan to plead guilty or want to defend yourself in court, we can provide you with all the legal assistance you need.
State troopers in Arizona made 4,749 DUI arrests in 2024, many of which were for extreme DUIs. Those facing extreme DUI charges face elevated sentencing over standard DUIs, leading to more jail time and potentially significant fines. If you’re among those charged, you can hire an extreme DUI lawyer to help you defend yourself. Your lawyer can:
Working with an Arizona extreme DUI attorney is the most effective way to protect your rights and reduce the chances that your case could end in an extreme DUI conviction. Even if the case against you is strong, your lawyer may be able to negotiate a reduction in your charges or a lesser sentence in return for a guilty plea. You should speak with your defense attorney if you think that might be a good solution to your legal troubles.
ARS § 28-1382 defines an extreme DUI as one in which the driver’s blood alcohol content (BAC) was above 0.15. It further distinguishes between extreme DUIs with a BAC of 0.15 to 0.20 and those with a BAC above 0.20. Under ARS § 28-1382, extreme DUIs carry more significant penalties than standard DUIs. You could face a mandatory minimum of 30 to 45 days in jail for a first offense.
Extreme DUIs are a Class 1 misdemeanor in the absence of aggravating factors. In addition to jail time, you could also face:
Your lawyer may be able to help you get a special ignition interlock restricted driver’s license following your initial 45-day revocation period. If you need a license to get to school or work, you should ask your attorney about how to take advantage of this exception to driver’s license suspension periods.
If there were two or more aggravating factors present, you could face felony charges instead of a misdemeanor. Your charges could be elevated to a Class 4 felony, which is punishable by one to 3.75 years in jail under ARS § 13-702. Aggravating factors can include:
How much an extreme DUI lawyer costs in AZ varies on a case-by-case basis. If your case is relatively straightforward, it may cost less to defend against your charges than it would if your case were complex and required the testimony of expert witnesses, for example. It also costs less to resolve a case via plea negotiations prior to trial than it does to take an extreme DUI case to court.
If you get an extreme DUI in AZ, you’ll be arrested and taken to jail for booking. Unless there are aggravating factors in your case, you’ll be arrested for a Class 1 misdemeanor. You’ll need to hire an extreme DUI lawyer to help you come up with an effective defense against the charges you are facing.
You go to jail for a minimum of 30 days for an Extreme DUI in Arizona. This is the jail term that applies if your BAC was between 0.15 and 0.199. If you get a Super Extreme DUI, meaning your BAC was 0.20 or higher, you face a more significant mandatory minimum jail sentence of 45 days.
If you get three DUIs in AZ, your third DUI is classified as an Aggravated DUI, even in the absence of other aggravating factors. This increases the charges you are facing to a Class 4 felony. You’ll face a mandatory minimum prison sentence of four months, more significant fines, and vehicle forfeiture. You’ll also have a felony record, which results in the loss of certain civil rights.
If you’re facing extreme DUI charges, you need to work with an Arizona extreme DUI lawyer who has experience handling these kinds of cases. The team here at Grand Canyon Law Group has years of experience in criminal defense, and in that time, we’ve handled countless extreme DUI cases. We have what it takes to provide you with compassionate legal services and aggressive advocacy. Contact us to schedule an initial consultation today.