How Much Does a DUI Cost in Arizona?

Arizona DUI Costs

If you ever drive drunk or under the influence of drugs, you will eventually have to face the consequences. In Arizona, these consequences tend to be much more serious than in the rest of the country. You will face license suspension, potential jail time, the installation of an ignition interlock device in your car, and a fine.

The size of the fine will depend on several things. You should, however, be prepared for the financial impact of committing the crime.

Arizona Drunk Driving Fines

The DUI fine will be determined by examining the type of offense and whether it’s a first one or a repeat DUI.

A first-time DUI offender charged with a misdemeanor will have to pay a fine of 250 dollars (this is a base fine and additional charges may apply). The sum will increase to 500 dollars for a second-time offender and 750 dollars for a third-time offense.

The fines become steeper for people charged with extreme DUI (whenever the blood alcohol content of the driver exceeds 0.15 percent). A person who commits an extreme DUI for the first time will have to pay a base fine of 900 dollars. Additional charges that will apply in the case include a 250-dollar payment for a DUI assessment and a 1,250-dollar charge for an extreme DUI assessment. As you can see, the amounts add up to a hefty sum.

A person who commits an extreme DUI for the second time will have to pay 450 dollars in a base fine, 250 dollars for a DUI assessment, and 1,000 dollars for an extreme DUI assessment.

DUI assessment fees will apply to all kinds of charges, adding a significant amount to the base fine. An aggravated DUI assessment is the costliest one, coming at 1,500 dollars.

The Financial Implications of Committing a DUI in Arizona

Driving under the influence carries serious financial implications. Not only will you have to pay a fine, but there are also additional fees and charges, as well as long-term insurance implications.

If you have to get alcohol screening or treatment on the basis of a court ruling, you should be prepared to spend anywhere between 150 and 600 dollars on such a program. Often, such treatment is required to reduce a potential sentence, which is why you should be prepared to take on the possibility.

The installation of an ignition interlock device is something else you will be financially responsible for. There is a monthly fee and an installation charge, thus you will have to spend about 1,080 dollars on the device over the course of one year.

Additional costs and charges may come in the form of paying after vehicle towing and impoundment, a license reinstatement fee, and the mandatory license suspension cost. In addition, drivers in Arizona have to get SR-22 insurance policies after DUI. These are rather expensive (costing about 600 dollars per year) and they’re mandated for a period of three years. Once the requirement for having SR-22 insurance is lifted, you should be prepared for having to spend more on your regular auto insurance because of the conviction.

Depending on the different sources of information, the overall cost of a DUI conviction in Arizona will come in the range of 9,000 to 27,000 dollars. if you have damaged property or hurt someone in the accident and if you are a repeat offender, you should be prepared for the most serious financial implications.

The fact that having a DUI conviction on record could affect your ability to get a job in the future is also going to affect your fiscal well-being. Don’t underestimate the seriousness of DUI charges and talk to an attorney about your situation as soon as possible.

Arizona DUI and Drug and Alcohol Treatment Programs

DUI cases come with their specifics. Whenever the transgression related to drug or alcohol abuse is more serious, the vehicle operator could be ordered by the court to join a treatment or education program. In some instances, cooperation and enrolment in such a program could contribute to court leniency and sentence reduction. Let us see what are the DUI and drug and alcohol treatment programs.

Several types of programs and courses are available and a person could be referred by an Arizona court to any of them. Some of the most common options include:

  • DUI education programs
  • DUI treatment, including alcohol or drug screening
  • Substance abuse treatment programs
  • Counseling
  • Follow-up drug and alcohol evaluations

Depending on the specifics, some of the programs can be completed online (whenever there’s solely an educational component). The cost of joining such courses will depend on the number of hours required for the completion and the specifics that the program will focus on.

DUI and drug and alcohol treatment programs could either take place in group settings or on a one-on-one basis. The curriculum will be diversified but a few of the important topics that will be covered include understanding addiction, triggers, how to recover from addiction, understanding Arizona DUI laws, how alcohol affects the body, and cultural beliefs pertaining to alcohol consumption.

If the court wishes to, it can make a special request pertaining to the DUI education program, its curriculum, and the activities that the guilty party will have to partake in. A few possible specialized requests may include MVD screenings, breathalyzers, drug testing, and completion of the program via virtual classes (that a person may complete from the comfort of their home).

Benefits of Attending DUI and Drug and Alcohol Treatment Programs

Should you attend a drug and alcohol treatment program after your DUI sentencing? The best thing to do is to comply with the court order because you will enjoy an array of benefits.

As already mentioned, joining such a program can reduce or eliminate criminal convictions altogether. While you will have to pay for the courses, getting rid of your criminal record will definitely justify the expenditure.

Such programs are typically created by experienced therapists and instructors. If you have a problem with drug or alcohol abuse, chances are that a professional counselor or behavioral health professional may help you change destructive patterns and transform your life in the future.

What Happens if You Fail to Attend DUI Classes?

Keep in mind that drug and alcohol courses that are mandated by the court are obligatory. Thus, apart from potentially reducing your sentence, these programs are non-negotiable in the aftermath of being found guilty of a DUI.

If you’re on probation, going to the program will be a part of your requirement. Skipping classes or avoiding course participation altogether will mean that you have violated the terms and conditions of the probation. Needless to say, this is a serious offense. You will probably have to attend a court session once again and the repercussions could include the imposition of the original DUI sentence.

On occasions, it may be impossible to attend a DUI program due to personal hardships or financial issues. In such instances, you should definitely speak to your DUI attorney. A good lawyer could potentially negotiate your reinstatement in the program. If the court makes such a decision, there will be no imposition of harsher penalties.

Keep in mind that online DUI classes are available in Arizona. Some of these are quite affordable and easy to complete. There’s really no excuse to bail out on such programs, especially when you know what’s at stake.