The Impact of Prior DUI Convictions on Current Drunk Driving Charges

Here at The Law Office of James Novak, we help numerous people in the greater Phoenix area who have been charged with drunk driving. Our DUI defense strategies will note all aspects of your arrest, always striving to ensure fairness and that your Constitutional protections are not violated.

A number of people who come to the firm for legal help are facing their second or third DUI charge. Repeat drunk driving convictions can be very serious. We’d like to look at why right now.

Defining Multiple Convictions in DUI Cases

When it comes to multiple drunk driving offenses, there is a specified lookback period to consider. This lookback period is seven years. In other words, if you were convicted of a recent DUI, Arizona authorities will look back seven years at your record for any prior DUI convictions.

If there are no prior DUIs on your record, this will be listed as a first offense. If there are any prior DUIs listed within that seven-year lookback period, you will face harsher pennalties for being a repeat offender under Arizona law.

First Offense DUI

To provide some perspective on repeat drunk driving offenses, let’s cover some basics with regard to DUI penalties.

For a first offense DUI, drunk drivers can expect the following legal penalties:

• Minimum of one day of jail with a maximum of 10 days
• Base fine of $250
• License suspension of at least 90 days up to 360 days
• Installation of ignition interlock device (IID)

Second Offense DUI

For a second offense DUI, drunk drivers can expect the following legal penalties:

• Minimum of 30 days in jail with a maximum of 90 days
• Base fine of $500
• License suspension for one year
• Installation of ignition interlock device (IID)

Third Offense DUI

For a third offense DUI, drunk drivers can expect the following legal penalties:

• Minimum of four months in jail
• Base fine of $750
• License suspension for one year
• Installation of ignition interlock device (IID)

Dealing with Repeat DUI Convictions

As you can see, repeat DUI offenses result in an escalation of penalties, and they can have a major impact on your personal life and professional life. In addition to these base fine and jail time, the repeat DUI charges will have an impact on your auto insurance, and it could lead to major setbacks if you have certain career goals in mind, such as working for the city or in education.

How a DUI Defense Attorney Can Help

Everyone makes bad decisions or serious mistakes. In the case of repeat DUI charges, it’s important to have a skilled attorney who can guide you through the legal process and develop advantageous legal strategies. We will work to see if charges can be dropped or reduced, and we will examine any evidence regarding sobriety tests, impropriety by law enforcement, and potential false positives from forensic mistakes.

Working with an attorney can also provide you with insight on how to deal with life after a DUI conviction. We will be able to offer our honest opinion of your case and what to consider moving forward. This is the peace of mind that a lawyer can offer.

Learn More About Your Rights in Drunk Driving Cases

If you or a loved one has been charged with drunk driving on multiple occasions and you would like more information on your legal rights, be sure to contact an experienced DUI defense attorney about your case. We at The Law Office of James Novak will work with you an address all of your legal needs.