Arizona DUI Defense Lawyers and the Nature of Aggravated DUI
Arizona is notorious for its tough DUI laws and stiff penalties that can be handed down to someone who is convicted of this charge even for the first time. The reason for this toughness is clear, as the legislature wants to not only deter people from making this mistake but it’s also advisable in a political sense to pass these types of laws regardless of which person or people may ultimately face the brunt of them in a courtroom. Many of these laws come with mandatory jail times if someone is convicted, and anyone who is facing a DUI-related charge needs to take immediate action to protect his or her legal rights.
Below you will find a brief overview of one of the most serious DUI-related charges that someone can face in Arizona. This charge is known as aggravated DUI. You will find information below regarding the three different ways in which someone can face this charge, the types of penalties and sanctions faced by someone charged with aggravated DUI and what you should do if this happens to you or to someone you love. Anyone facing this situation should obtain the help of Arizona DUI defense lawyers as soon as possible.
Aggravated DUI vs. ‘Regular’ DUI
It is always bad news for a defendant to see the word ‘aggravated’ added to a criminal charge. That’s because this is a word that only raises the seriousness of the charge and as such the severity of the potential punishments faced. This is no different when it comes to a DUI-related charge, as aggravated DUI is prosecuted as a felony in Arizona.
Three Types of Aggravated DUI
As stated above, there are three specific types of aggravated DUI charges in Arizona. Below is a brief description of each:
- Prior DUI’s – One way that a DUI can be prosecuted as an aggravated offense is if the defendant has two or more prior DUI convictions within the previous seven years.
- License restrictions – People will generally have their driving privileges revoked after a DUI conviction, and a subsequent DUI that occurs while those privileges are suspended can lead to an aggravated DUI charge.
- Minors – If someone is caught driving under the influence of alcohol or some other intoxicant with a minor who is under 15 years old in the car at the time, that defendant can face an aggravated charge.
How Arizona DUI Defense Lawyers Can Help
Facing a charge of aggravated DUI in Arizona means facing a felony. That means that if someone is convicted of this charge he or she could face substantial fines and prison time. If you or someone you love has been charged with this crime, you need to seek the help of Arizona DUI defense lawyers who have been fighting for the rights of the accused for more than 15 years. Contact the Law Offices of Douglas A. Schwab today to schedule an initial consultation.
