Tempe DUI Lawyer Explains Out-of-State DUIs in Arizona

If you have been pulled over for a DUI in Tempe as an Arizona driver, you could be facing some serious penalties, including mandatory treatment classes, an ignition interlock device, and stiff mandatory sentencing laws. There is no doubt that Arizona’s DUI laws are some of the harshest in the nation, but what happens when you’re from outside the state of Arizona?

Stiff Penalties

Although Arizona DUIs come with stiff criminal penalties, the Department of Motor Vehicle’s punishments are comparatively light. However, when you are from out of state, you not only face Arizona’s penalties, but also the penalties from your home state’s DMV. Since Arizona notifies your home state of your DUI conviction, you will potentially face penalties from an Arizona court, the Arizona Department of Motor Vehicles, AND your own state’s DMV.

Tough Enforcement

DUI enforcement is also much stronger in Arizona than it usually is in other states. Many visitors may be unaware of the zeal with which DUI arrests are pursued, especially near the ASU campus and other busy hubs. As a consequence, we see many of non-Arizonans convicted of drunk driving in Tempe.

Mandatory Sentencing

Because Arizona has mandatory sentencing laws for DUIs, someone visiting from a different state faces some unique challenges. Even a first-time offender could face anywhere from 1 to 45 days in jail depending on the blood alcohol content at the time of arrest. Although local residents are usually able to keep their jobs through work release, an out-of-state visitor convicted of a DUI in Tempe will need to jump through some complex hoops in order to serve the mandatory time. A Tempe DUI lawyer can help you navigate these complexities and may even be able to help you avoid conviction altogether.

If you have been pulled over for an out-of-state DUI in Tempe, a skilled Tempe DUI lawyer can help. Take a look at our FREE book, DUIs in Arizona – What You Must Know, and give us a call at 1-888-929-5292 to meet with us in a completely free legal consultation to talk about your rights and options. The Tempe criminal defense lawyers with Curry, Pearson & Wooten look forward to speaking with you.