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The Arizona DUI Guide: Understanding “Impaired to the Slightest Degree”
You know that you can be arrested if you are caught driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. But you have likely gone to dinner or drinks with friends, had a glass of wine, and then gotten behind the wheel of your car without a second thought. And why not? The law says that you are guilty of driving under the influence if your blood-alcohol content is 0.08 percent or higher. Most people know this number, and most people know that it takes a couple of drinks to be considered impaired.
However, what you may not know is that Arizona has a law that makes it illegal for you to drive while “impaired to the slightest degree.” That means that you could be arrested after driving with just one drink in your system, and you could be calling a DUI law office to help you.
Arizona Law
Under Arizona law 28-1381(a)(1), you can be arrested if you drive or are in control of a vehicle while “impaired to the slightest degree.” There is no information about blood-alcohol levels or other standards to judge impairment. That means that if you show any levels of alcohol in your blood test, or if you show other signs of impairment, you could be arrested and charged with DUI.
Arizona is also a zero tolerance state when it comes to driving under the influence. That means that some police officers might feel emboldened to levy charges quickly if they suspect DUI.
However, a charge is just a charge, and it must be proven to become a conviction. This is both good and bad. Since there is no clear criteria for “the slightest degree,” it could be easier for a court to convict you of DUI. However, since there is no criteria, it could also be easier for one of your Glendale DUI attorneys to challenge the charge.
Working with a DUI Defense Lawyer
The best thing you can do when you are charged with DUI, whether you have measured a BAC that’s beyond the legal limit or you are facing a charge based on the “slightest degree” principle, is to call one of the best Avondale DUI lawyers you can find. There are so many moving parts to most DUI cases that you need an experienced and dedicated DUI defense attorney to look closely at all the points of law and create the best defense possible for you.
A good DUI attorney near Tucson is going to look at not only your BAC, but also the behaviors noted by police leading up and including the traffic stop. Your attorney will look at your driving history. If you have any other DUI charges, you will face more serious consequences if you are convicted again. Previous DUI charges may make it harder to dismiss a charge of impairment in the “slightest degree.” You need to look at all the issues to discuss potential legal strategies with your attorney.
If you are convicted of driving under the influence, know that you will face consequences that can include losing your license, having an ignition interlock device installed on your vehicle, spending time in jail, paying hefty fines, and paying increased insurance rates. And a DUI charge can stick with you a long time, causing you trouble along the way. You need to work with the best Mesa DUI attorney you can find to avoid conviction or to get your charges and consequences minimized.
The DUI defense attorneys at My AZ Lawyers are ready to help you if you are facing any kind of DUI charge. Our DUI lawyers will closely review the details of your case and present you with the best legal options to free you of the charges against you. We are experienced with charges involving the “slightest degree” law, and we can help you understand how best to defend against these charges so they don’t end up on a lasting record. We work with clients in Mesa, Glendale, Tucson, and the Phoenix area, and we have earned a reputation for dedicated service and results. Call us today to schedule a consultation with one of our DUI defense lawyers and to learn more about your rights and your legal options.
Mesa Location:
1731 West Baseline Rd., Suite #100
Mesa, AZ 85202
Office: (480) 448-9800
Email: info@myazlawyers.com
Website: https://myazlawyers.com/
Glendale Location:
20325 N 51st Avenue Suite #134, Building 5
Glendale, AZ 85308
Office: (602) 509-0955
Tucson Location:
2 East Congress St., Suite #900-6A
Tucson, AZ 85701
Office: (520) 441-1450
Avondale Location:
12725 W. Indian School Rd., Ste E, #101
Avondale, AZ 85392
