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Tucson, AZ 85701
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Chandler Drunk Driving Laws

Arizona is not a state that takes driving under the influence lightly, and Chandler is no exception.

t doesn’t matter to the state if you were just driving a few blocks to your house or even if you only had a beer – if you are arrested and convicted of a DUI in Chandler, you are going to face some serious consequences.

That being said, nothing is definite until you are either convicted or acquitted, and if you want to have the best chance of receiving a positive outcome, you would be wise to talk to an experienced Chandler DUI attorney who can walk you through what can be a frightening and confusing process and help you to understand exactly what you’re going to be facing and what tactics to use to fight for your rights.

What are Chandler’s DUI Laws?

When most people hear “DUI,” they don’t think that it’s something that can ever happen to them. Only alcoholics and chronic drinkers get charged with driving while intoxicated. But the truth is that many people charged with a Chandler DUI are facing their first offense. They may not have any experience dealing with police or the court system, and might not completely understand the state’s DUI laws.

The first thing to know is that drunk driving in Arizona isn’t just one charge – it’s actually two charges. If the officer says he’s writing you up for a DUI, that means you will be charged both with driving with a BAC of .08 or higher and with impaired driving. And while you can – and should – refuse to take a field sobriety test, you should never attempt to refuse a breath test if the officer offers it to you. Doing so means that your driver’s license can be automatically suspended – even if you weren’t actually drinking or doing anything wrong. It’s part of Arizona’s implied consent law that basically says you’re agreeing to a BAC test the second you drive in the state.

What Are Chandler’s DUI penalties?

Penalties for a Chandler DUI vary depending upon how many drunk driving charges you’ve had in the past and the specific circumstances of this charge: Did you have a minor with you? Were you involved in a car accident? Was your BAC much higher than the legal limit? All of those things can mean that you will face stiffer than normal punishments for your Driving Under the Influence charge.

Even the most basic DUI that just barely breaks the .08 legal limit in Chandler carries with it serious punishments, though, including things like:

  • A $250 fine (plus a surcharge and an extra $250 to the Arizona DUI abatement fund)
  • Probation (usually for a year, but it can go as high as 5 years)
  • Mandatory submission to drug and alcohol evaluation and handling
  • Possible counseling and treatment
  • Jail time that starts at 10 days and can go up to 6 months
  • Having your driver’s license suspended for at least 90 days

Test over .15 when you’re pulled over (an extreme DUI) and you will be facing:

  • A $250 fine (plus a surcharge and an extra $250 to the Arizona DUI abatement fund)
  • Probation (of up to 5 years)
  • Mandatory submission to drug and alcohol evaluation and handling
  • Possible counseling and treatment
  • Jail time that starts at 30 days
  • Having your driver’s license suspended for at least 90 days
  • A requirement for an Ignition Interlock Device to be installed on your car

Of course, this isn’t the end of the story for either of these charges. Agree to counseling and the judge will often knock your jail sentence down to a single day for a regular first time DUI and 10 days for a first time extreme DUI. It’s also important to note that neither of these DUI charges are felonies, but rather misdemeanors.

However, if you are a repeat DUI offender in Chandler or your arrest for drunk driving included any kind of accident that involved property damage, injury, or death, you will be charged with a felony and those carry far more serious penalties with them.

Regardless, the important thing to remember is that Chandler DUI charges can be beaten. Cops make mistakes, and even breath tests can show incorrect results for any number of reasons. That’s why you want a Chandler DUI lawyer who understands the ins and outs of the law fighting for you.