Felony DUI Lawyer
Tempe, Arizona Aggravated Felony DUI Attorney
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Felony DUI:
A felony is a criminal offense that can result in a prison sentence and up to $150,000 in fines plus applicable surcharges. Basically, there are different types of Felony DUIs. Additionally, a criminal felony conviction can have a devastating effect on a person's employment, career opportunities, scholastic opportunities, and can result in increased automobile insurance rates. It is imperative that an individual seek out a skilled and aggressive criminal DUI defense attorney to fight to protect all of your constitutional rights and your future and your freedom.
A person is guilty of aggravated driving or actual physical control while under the influence of an intoxicating liquor or drugs if the person does any of the following:
Commits a violation of DUI or Extreme DUI (as explained above) while the person's driver license or privilege to drive is cancelled, suspended, revoked, or refused while a restriction is placed on the person's driver license or privilege to drive as a result of a of DUI or Extreme DUI. Aggravated DUI, a Class Four Felony: If your license was suspended, canceled, or revoked when you were arrested for DUI. This includes if you are ordered to get an ignition interlock device on your car, and you commit a violation of DUI or Extreme DUI.
This offense is a class 4 felony, and carries a minimum sentence of four months in the Department of Corrections followed by a mandatory term of probation. In a worst case scenario, an individual could be sentenced to 3.75 years in the Department of Corrections even if this is the individual's first and only felony offense. To make matters worse, prior felony convictions could result in a prison sentence for as much as fifteen years. These harsh, mandatory terms of imprisonment make it that much more important to obtain excellent legal representation to fight for your rights during this time of need.
Commits a violation of DUI or Extreme DUI while a person under 15 years of age is in the vehicle. Aggravated DUI, a Class Six Felony: If you are arrested for DUI and have a child under the age of fifteen in the car with you, regardless of whether your license was suspended, canceled, or revoked, you can be charged with Aggravated DUI, a class 6 felony. A person convicted of a class 6 felony can be sentenced to prison for up to two years. A felony DUI also carries a mandatory license revocation and may require the hundreds of hours of community service.
Within a period of eighty-four months (7 years) commits a third or subsequent violation of DUI or Extreme DUI.
ARIZONA DUI – FELONY AGGRAVATED DUI LAWS
28-1383. Aggravated driving or actual physical control while under the influence; violation; classification; definition
A. A person is guilty of aggravated driving or actual physical control while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs if the person does any of the following:
1. Commits a violation of section 28-1381, section 28-1382 or this section while the person's driver license or privilege to drive is suspended, canceled, revoked or refused or while a restriction is placed on the person's driver license or privilege to drive as a result of violating section 28-1381 or 28-1382 or under section 28-1385.
2. Within a period of eighty-four months commits a third or subsequent violation of section 28-1381, section 28-1382 or this section or is convicted of a violation of section 28-1381, section 28-1382 or this section and has previously been convicted of any combination of convictions of section 28-1381, section 28-1382 or this section or acts in another jurisdiction that if committed in this state would be a violation of section 28-1381, section 28-1382 or this section.
3. While a person under fifteen years of age is in the vehicle, commits a violation of either:
(a) Section 28-1381.
(b) Section 28-1382.
4. While the person is ordered by the court or required pursuant to section 28-3319 by the department to equip any motor vehicle the person operates with a certified ignition interlock device, does either of the following:
(a) While under arrest refuses to submit to any test chosen by a law enforcement officer pursuant to section 28-1321, subsection A.
(b) Commits a violation of section 28-1381, section 28-1382 or this section.
B. The dates of the commission of the offenses are the determining factor in applying the eighty-four month provision provided in subsection A, paragraph 2 of this section regardless of the sequence in which the offenses were committed. For the purposes of this section, a third or subsequent violation for which a conviction occurs does not include a conviction for an offense arising out of the same series of acts. The time that a probationer is found to be on absconder status or the time that a person is incarcerated in any state, federal, county or city jail or correctional facility is excluded when determining the eighty-four month period provided in subsection A, paragraph 2 and subsection E of this section.
C. The notice to a person of the suspension, cancellation, revocation or refusal of a driver license or privilege to drive is effective as provided in section 28-3318 or pursuant to the laws of the state issuing the license.
D. A person is not eligible for probation, pardon, commutation or suspension of sentence or release on any other basis until the person has served not less than four months in prison if the person is convicted under either of the following:
1. Subsection A, paragraph 1 of this section.
2. Subsection A, paragraph 2 of this section and within an eighty-four month period has been convicted of two prior violations of section 28-1381, section 28-1382 or this section, or any combination of those sections, or acts in another jurisdiction that if committed in this state would be a violation of section 28-1381, section 28-1382 or this section.
E. A person who is convicted under subsection A, paragraph 2 of this section and who within an eighty-four month period has been convicted of three or more prior violations of section 28-1381, section 28-1382 or this section, or any combination of those sections, or acts in another jurisdiction that if committed in this state would be a violation of section 28-1381, section 28-1382 or this section is not eligible for probation, pardon, commutation or suspension of sentence or release on any other basis until the person has served not less than eight months in prison.
F. A person who is convicted under subsection A, paragraph 3, subdivision (a) of this section shall serve at least the minimum term of incarceration required pursuant to section 28-1381.
G. A person who is convicted under subsection A, paragraph 3, subdivision (b) of this section shall serve at least the minimum term of incarceration required pursuant to section 28-1382.
H. A person who is convicted of a violation of this section shall attend and complete alcohol or other drug screening, education or treatment from an approved facility. If the person fails to comply with this subsection and is placed on probation, in addition to the provisions of section 13-901 the court may order that the person be incarcerated as a term of probation as follows:
1. For a person sentenced pursuant to subsection D of this section, for an individual period of not more than four months and a total period of not more than one year.
2. For a person sentenced pursuant to subsection E of this section, for an individual period of not more than eight months and a total period of not more than two years.
I. The time that a person spends in custody pursuant to subsection H of this section shall not be counted towards the sentence imposed if the person's probation is revoked and the person is sentenced to prison after revocation of probation.
J. On a conviction for a violation of this section, the court:
1. Shall report the conviction to the department. On receipt of the report, the department shall revoke the driving privilege of the person. The department shall not issue the person a new driver license within three years of the date of the conviction and, for a conviction of a violation of subsection A, paragraph 1, 2 or 4 or paragraph 3, subdivision (b) of this section, shall require the person to equip any motor vehicle the person operates with a certified ignition interlock device pursuant to section 28-3319. In addition, the court may order the person to equip any motor vehicle the person operates with a certified ignition interlock device for more than twelve months beginning on the date of reinstatement of the person's driving privilege following a suspension or revocation or on the date of the department's receipt of the report of conviction, whichever occurs later. The person who operates a motor vehicle with a certified ignition interlock device under this paragraph shall comply with article 5 of this chapter.
2. In addition to any other penalty prescribed by law, shall order the person to pay an additional assessment of two hundred fifty dollars. If the conviction occurred in the superior court or a justice court, the court shall transmit the monies received pursuant to this paragraph to the county treasurer. If the conviction occurred in a municipal court, the court shall transmit the monies received pursuant to this paragraph to the city treasurer. The city or county treasurer shall transmit the monies received to the state treasurer. The state treasurer shall deposit the monies received in the driving under the influence abatement fund established by section 28-1304. Any fine imposed for a violation of this section and any assessments, restitution and incarceration costs shall be paid before the assessment prescribed in this paragraph.
3. Shall order the person to pay a fine of not less than seven hundred fifty dollars.
4. In addition to any other penalty prescribed by law, shall order the person to pay an additional assessment of one thousand five hundred dollars to be deposited by the state treasurer in the prison construction and operations fund established by section 41-1651. This assessment is not subject to any surcharge. If the conviction occurred in the superior court or a justice court, the court shall transmit the assessed monies to the county treasurer. If the conviction occurred in a municipal court, the court shall transmit the assessed monies to the city treasurer. The city or county treasurer shall transmit the monies received to the state treasurer.
5. In addition to any other penalty prescribed by law, shall order the person to pay an additional assessment of one thousand five hundred dollars to be deposited by the state treasurer in the public safety equipment fund established by section 41-1723. This assessment is not subject to any surcharge. If the conviction occurred in the superior court or a justice court, the court shall transmit the assessed monies to the county treasurer. If the conviction occurred in a municipal court, the court shall transmit the assessed monies to the city treasurer. The city or county treasurer shall transmit the monies received to the state treasurer.
K. After completing the period of suspension required by section 28-1385, a person whose driving privilege is revoked for a violation of subsection A, paragraph 3 of this section may apply to the department for a special ignition interlock restricted driver license pursuant to section 28-1401.
L. Aggravated driving or actual physical control while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs committed under:
1. Subsection A, paragraph 1 or 2 or paragraph 4, subdivision (b) of this section is a class 4 felony.
2. Subsection A, paragraph 3 or paragraph 4, subdivision (a) of this section is a class 6 felony.
M. For the purposes of this section, "suspension, cancellation, revocation or refusal" means any suspension, cancellation, revocation or refusal.