Willcox, AZ DUI Lawyers

Experienced Criminal Defense Attorneys Helping With DUI Cases in Willcox, Arizona

DUI charges can range in seriousness from a class 1 misdemeanor carrying no more than six months of jail time to a major felony involving the death of another person that could result in up to 25 years in prison. Even a first-time DUI can be a felony if there were certain aggravating circumstances.

While misdemeanor DUIs are less serious, they still come with harsh penalties. Your driver's license may be suspended immediately after a DUI arrest because of a breath or blood test showing that you were over the legal blood alcohol limit. You will be required to serve at least one day in jail if you complete drug and alcohol education, or 10 day if you do not. There is also a stigma attached to drunk driving. A DUI arrest can have career implications for some people.

The Behan Law Group, P.L.L.C. will help to address every aspect of your case. Our dedicated Willcox, AZ DUI attorneys assess each case individually to determine the best possible defense strategies. Many clients are pleasantly surprised to learn that they have a strong legal defense that they were unaware of before coming to us. We take defending our clients' rights seriously, and we will put your interests first at every stage of your case.

First and Second DUIs

In most cases, first and second DUI charges are misdemeanors. If this is your first DUI, you may have the opportunity to negotiate a plea bargain to reduce your charges. After a second drunk driving arrest, the court is less likely to show leniency. If convicted, you will be required to serve at least 30 days in jail if you complete a drug and alcohol screening, or 90 days if you fail to cooperate with the screening.

Extreme and Super Extreme DUI Charges

You can be charged with extreme DUI if your BAC was over 0.15 percent, or a super extreme DUI if your BAC was over 0.20 percent. Driving with a BAC this high is considered exceptionally dangerous. Unless there is another reason that your DUI charge would be a felony, extreme and super extreme DUI offenses are still misdemeanors. However, they carry harsher potential sentences than ordinary DUI charges. Our attorneys may be able to attack these elevated DUI charges by questioning the accuracy of blood or breath test results.

Third and Subsequent DUIs

Repeat DUI offenses are very serious. Your third or subsequent DUI within a seven-year period is an automatic felony DUI. The court may treat you as a habitual drunk driver who poses a genuine risk of harm to the public. After a third DUI conviction, there is a mandatory minimum of four months in prison. Your driver's license will be revoked, and you will have to apply to have it reinstated after several years. After a fourth or subsequent DUI, the court is more likely to send you to prison as a means of stopping you from continuing to drive drunk.

Aggravated DUI

An aggravated DUI charge is a felony. DUI might be considered aggravated if any of the following circumstances were present:

• Child Passenger: If you had a child under 15 years old in your car, you will be charged with aggravated DUI for putting a minor in danger. If you were with your own children, you could also face a DCS investigation or trouble in family court.
• No Valid Driver's License: If your license was suspended or revoked, or if you were driving on a restricted license, you are likely to face felony DUI charges. This rule is intended to discourage repeat DUIs.
• Absent ignition interlock device: If you are required to use an IID and were driving a vehicle that did not have one installed while intoxicated, you will be charged with felony DUI.

Contact Our Willcox DUI Defense Attorneys

The Behan Law Group, P.L.L.C. is committed to providing the best possible representation in DUI cases. Our experienced Willcox, AZ DUI defense lawyers will do all we can to secure an outcome you will be satisfied with. Contact us at 520-220-5047 for a complimentary consultation.