Extreme DUI in Arizona
Arizona legislators have passed some unique DUI regulations, creating explicit guidelines for more severe cases of intoxicated driving. Just as in other parts of the country an Arizona driver is legally intoxicated if they are operating a motor vehicle with blood alcohol content (BAC) of over .08%. Unlike other states however, a BAC of .15% or higher can result in an elevated charge of Extreme DUI.
DUI charges of any magnitude should be taken extremely seriously, and it is important to seek skilled legal representation in order to protect your rights and interests. The consequences of a DUI conviction can affect many parts of your life, such as limiting your future employment options.
Penalties for Extreme DUI
Even as a first-time offense, Extreme DUI is considered a Class 1 misdemeanor and definitely a reason to retain the services of an Arizona DUI lawyer. You will also face a suspension of driving privileges for 90 days, and may be required to have an ignition interlock device installed in your vehicle.
Penalties following a conviction frequently include the following:
- At least $250 in fines
- 30 days in jail, and up to six months.
- A maximum of 5 years probation
- Mandatory drug & alcohol counseling
Factors that Contribute To Extreme Intoxication:
Various charts and rules of thumb are available online that purport to be able to accurately predict how many drinks someone can safely consume while staying under the legal limit of .08% blood alcohol content (BAC). While these guides can be useful guidelines, there is no hard rule that can accurately and consistently predict your BAC, as there are far too many variables involved.
When attempting to judge how many alcoholic beverages you can safely consume, it is important to make conservative estimates, and take into account that they same number of beverages may cause you to become more or less intoxicated than they have in the past.
BAC Modifiers
Dozens of minor factors can affect how efficiently your body can process alcohol, but there are a few of the more prominent ones:
- The type of beverage. Beers, liquors, and wines do not have consistent alcohol content, and bartenders may pour their mixed drinks inconsistently.
- Your lean body mass. Fatty mass contribute nearly as much to alcohol processing as lean mass does, so individuals of identical weight but different builds will have different levels of intoxication after consuming the same quantity.
- How long you have been drinking. Your body constantly processes alcohol, so drinking two beverages in one hour will make you less intoxicated than consuming the same amount in 45 minutes.
- Your gender. Women process alcohol less efficiently than men do.
Whenever you drink, be sure to err on the side of safety when determining your blood alcohol content and ability to drive safely.
