It’s important to understand the Arizona DUI laws and repeat offenders penalties. A motorist who is in an accident because of the careless actions of a reckless driver may believe the worst is behind them. They have received care for their injuries and heard that the driver got convicted of a DUI. The injured person might think that the driver will no longer be a danger to any other unsuspecting motorists but unfortunately, that is not often the case, especially if the DUI charge for that accident was that of a repeat offender.
According to statistics gathered by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), 50–75% of convicted drunk drivers continue to drive on a suspended license and about one-third of all drivers arrested for drunk driving are repeat offenders. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration amended the latter statistic in March 2014, pursuant to their study showing that the number is now closer to 25%. It still means that the chances are good that a drunk driver—even after conviction for a DUI—will continue to drive.
The injury attorneys at Phoenix Accident and Injury Law Firm in Phoenix have significant experience in helping clients who have been victims of DUI accidents, including those who have been hit by repeat offenders. If you need help filing a claim for one of these awful, life changing accidents, we are here to help you get the compensation you deserve. Our offices are conveniently located in Chandler, Peoria, and North Phoenix, and we can meet in-person or over the phone or video call. You can contact us for a free consultation, or read on to find out more.
By the way, we will also help with other problems that have cost you sleep, like getting a rental car very soon and finding a nearby doctor or psychiatrist who can help get your life back on track. Even the best legal team isn’t good enough if your quality of life isn’t sustainable while justice and compensation are on the way. The whole point of legal action is to regain quality of life, so we help you long-term as attorneys and short-term as your go-to people. Our familiarity with the local Phoenix courts makes us confident that we can help you get the best settlement possible.
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Arizona DUI Law & Repeat Offenders
Arizona arguably has some of the most stringent Arizona DUI laws in the country and has three levels of DUI. Depending on the facts of the situation, a driver may be charged with a standard, aggravated, or extreme DUI, each carrying with it stricter penalties because of the more egregious nature of the charge. If a driver is convicted of a standard DUI and it is their first offense, they will face up to 10 days in jail, a fine of $1,250, potential mandatory treatment and education courses, an ignition interlock requirement on all vehicles, and possible community service.
Arizona is one of 21 states that requires ignition interlock devices for all offenses and not solely for repeat offenders. Interlock devices are becoming more widely used as they have been linked to a significant decrease repeat offenders for drunk driving. Interlock devices are small devices that are directly wired to a vehicle’s ignition system. Before allowing a vehicle to start, the driver must essentially pass a breathalyzer test by blowing into the interlock device. The device will randomly require another sample after the engine has started and sound an alarm if a breath sample fails or is not provided.
Other means available under Arizona laws to decrease recidivism in DUI cases include intensive supervised probation, electronically monitored house arrest, and the authority to impound vehicles. According to the Arizona Department of Public Safety, the last one alone has helped decrease repeat drunk driving incidents approximately 38% and DUI crashes 4%. Laws such as those in Arizona are making nationwide headlines as the federal government joins the fight to decrease occurrences of repeat offenders of DUI.
Conclusion
In conclusion, even with the potential of facing the strict penalties pursuant to Arizona law, many drivers who have been convicted of a DUI will choose to continue to drink and drive. If a drunk driver injures you, there are many aspects of the law that you may not know. Hence, by calling the professionals at Phoenix Accident and Injury Law Firm, you can receive the answers you need to make sure your rights are protected.
At Phoenix Accident and Injury Law Firm near you, we have more than 15 years of experience helping clients obtain compensation for their personal injuries from DUI accidents with repeat offenders in the Phoenix area. When you’re ready to talk, please contact our office to arrange a free initial consultation by phone or at our Chandler office, conveniently located near you.
If you have been in a DUI accident with a repeat offender, contact Phoenix Accident and Injury Law Firm in nearby Chandler, AZ to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney. We provide personal injury legal services to clients in your area including Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Scottsdale, Tempe, and Peoria.
