DUI, Extreme DUI & Super Extreme DUI in Arizona: What’s the Difference?

If you are arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol in Arizona, you might not be charged with just a DUI. Depending on the circumstances of your arrest, you could be charged with an ‘extreme DUI’ or even a ‘super extreme DUI.’ While each type of DUI is different, all three can be devastating to your rights, freedoms, and finances. It’s important to understand each, so you can be better prepared to defend yourself against the charges.

Three Levels of DUI Charges in Arizona

In Arizona, you can be charged with DUI if you are arrested for operating a motor vehicle:

• With a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level between 0.08 and 0.149; or,
• While your BAC level is above 0.00 and your driving is impaired in any way.

In Arizona, you can be charged with extreme DUI if you are arrested for operating a motor vehicle:

• With a BAC level between 0.15 and 0.199

In Arizona, you can be charged with super extreme DUI if you are arrested for operating a motor vehicle:

• With a BAC level of at least 0.20

Using these definitions of DUI, extreme DUI, and super extreme DUI, it becomes clear that each type of DUI level is an escalation of the last based on the recorded BAC at the time of the arrest. The higher the BAC, the more “extreme” the DUI charge, and the more serious the penalties upon conviction.

First-Time Penalties for Different DUI Levels in Arizona

If you are convicted of a first-time DUI in Arizona, you can be penalized with:

• At least 10 days in jail
• At least $1,250 in fines
• At least 90-day license suspension
• Between 6 and 12 months of ignition interlock device (IID) use

If you are convicted of a first-time extreme DUI in Arizona, you can be penalized with:

• At least 30 days in jail
• At least $3,000 in fines
• At least 90-day license suspension
• At least 12 months of IID use

If you are convicted of a first-time super extreme DUI in Arizona, you can be penalized with:

• At least 45 days in jail
• At least $3,250 in fines
• At least 90-day license suspension
• At least 12 months of IID use

Defending Yourself from a DUI Charge of Any Level

Although all DUI levels in Arizona (DUI, extreme DUI, and super extreme DUI) have unique details, the importance of defending your rights and driving privileges remains the same. Furthermore, the foundation of preparing your defense case against any level of DUI is also the same: hiring a trustworthy DUI defense attorney.

In Phoenix, Arizona, locals trust MayesTelles PLLC and our DUI defense lawyers to take on a DUI, extreme DUI, or super extreme DUI charge. With more than 200 years of combined DUI defense experience and former prosecutors and law enforcement officials on our team, we stand ready to help you if you’ve been charged with a DUI of any kind. We can consider challenging the traffic stop, use of field sobriety tests, blood and breath test results, and much more, depending on the circumstances of your case. No matter what, we’ll fight to save your driver’s license and protect you from the harsh penalties of the criminal justice system.