University of Arizona DUI Defense Attorney

Lawyer Handling DUI and Underage DUI Cases Near the University of Arizona

Going off to college is usually one of the first times students are on their own and away from their parents' "rules." It is only natural for students to sometimes push the limits of their behaviors and engage in activities that may get them in legal trouble. One of the most common legal issues that the lawyers at The Behan Law Group, P.L.L.C. handle for college students is driving under the influence (DUI), including underage DUI.

Under Arizona law, the legal drinking age is 21 years old. Any driver 21 or older who has a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent or higher can be charged with DUI. If a driver is under 21, and their BAC is more than 0.00 percent, they can be arrested and charged with DUI as an underage driver. Other types of DUI charges that our University of Arizona DUI defense lawyers can help with include:

• Repeat offender DUI
• Extreme DUI
• Super extreme DUI
• Aggravated DUI
• Marijuana DUI
• Drugs DUI
• DUI accidents

Penalties for DUI Convictions

If you are convicted of a DUI in Arizona, you are facing mandatory jail time, mandatory license suspension, mandatory fines, mandatory screening and treatment for substance abuse, mandatory ignition interlock device (IID), and community service.

The type of DUI you are charged with will determine the length of time you may spend in jail, the length of time you will be without a license, and the fine you will pay. Even a first-time offense results in a minimum of 10 days in jail and a 90-day license loss. The fine you pay will be a minimum of $1,250.

Because of Arizona's zero-tolerance policy for underage drinking, if you have been charged with underage DUI, you may face harsh penalties. Under the law, you do not have to have been impaired to be found guilty. The prosecutor only needs to prove you had alcohol in your system.

If you are convicted, and it is your first offense, your driver's license will be suspended for two years. You will be responsible for paying a fine of $500 and court fees. You will be required to undergo substance abuse screening, counseling, and education. The court will also order participation in community service. If you are convicted of underage DUI for a second time, you will receive a 30-day jail sentence in addition to the above penalties.

Collateral Damage of a DUI Conviction

A University of Arizona DUI defense lawyer knows that a DUI conviction for a college student not only impacts the right to drive but can also have disastrous consequences in other areas of your life. If you attend the university under a scholarship program, you could lose that funding if convicted. A DUI conviction can also result in losing housing if you live on campus. In some cases, depending on the circumstances of your case, the school may even decide to expel you.

There can also be damage to your future professional plans because of the conviction. If you are pursuing a profession requiring a license, such as a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, attorney, etc., the licensure board could reject your application because of the DUI conviction. Even if you do not need a license to practice, future career opportunities could be impacted if a potential employer sees you have a criminal record.

Another area that people rarely consider when facing these charges is that a conviction can bar them from entering certain countries. Canada, Mexico, Australia, Australia, Japan, and China are just some of the countries that deny entry to anyone who has been convicted of DUI. This may not only interfere with future vacation plans, but if you are working for a company that requires you to attend business meetings or conferences in one of these countries, you will need to explain to your boss why you cannot attend, which could jeopardize your job.

Contact Our University of Arizona DUI Defense Attorneys

At The Behan Law Group, P.L.L.C., we understand that mistakes can happen to anyone and that a mistake should not destroy your future plans. Our University of Arizona DUI defense lawyers have decades of experience successfully defending college students just like you. Contact our office by calling 520-220-5047 today to arrange a free, confidential consultation, and let us explain what legal options there may be to protect your future.