Reader’s Question:
I’m having a difficulty coping after being charged with DUI fine. How would I deal with this?
Freddie
Mesa, AZ
It would take just one bad judgment to be charged with DUI, but that decision could completely change your life. A drunk driving charge is not easy to deal with on any level, but there’s support out there if you know where to look. First is that you can talk with friends and family members because they could help you emotionally and financially. You have to complete any court-ordered programs such as DUI school, community service and alcohol counseling to avoid further punishment by finishing these programs as instructed.
You may also want to attend an alcohol abuse support group even if the court does not order you to attend because it would always be better to speak with people who can relate to your situation. Best of all, you have to speak with a DUI lawyer because a lawyer who is experienced in DUI cases could explain the consequences and options your DUI case presents. The DUI lawyer can advise you on every aspect of your case, explain to you the legal consequences and help you deal with your car insurance after your DUI.
Reader’s Question:
I was charged with DUI and I was told that I need to attend DUI school? What is the purpose of having to attend DUI school and can I skip this part?
Marion
Glendale, AZ
The purpose of having to attend DUI School because of your DUI charge in Glendale, Arizona is to educate you on the negative effects of drunk driving in your life. The completion of DUI School may also prompt the court to reduce your penalties and/or sentence if you successfully complete DUI School. Another positive outcome is that it could reduce the number of points placed on your driver’s license because of your DUI charge. The sooner you sign up for DUI School, the sooner your driving privileges are likely to be restored. But you are also given the right to wait until the final day allowable to schedule your DUI class.
If the court will provide you a list of DUI class options in your area, you have to choose one from the list. You have to avoid arguing for the validity of an alternative school, even if you think it is a completely legitimate option. Alcohol treatment could also be required as part of your sentence for a DUI. Even a first DUI offense can land you to jail, threaten your employment and cause your insurance to sky-rocket so it’s very important not to resist attending DUI School. And if you’re looking for the perfect car insurance for you, enter your zip code on the top portion of the homepage of this website and get a free online rate quote.
Reader’s Question:
My auto insurance policy has been cancelled because of my drunk driving charge. Can I get my insurance reinstated within the same company or shall I go ahead and find a new one?
Victor
Scottsdale, AZ
After an auto insurance company has cancelled your policy because of your drunk driving charge in Scottsdale, Arizona, you could find it difficult to purchase auto insurance from another company. In cases like cancellation of auto insurance policy due to not paying the premium on time, you might be able to get your auto insurance reinstated with the same company if you otherwise have a good record. In such cases, a lot of insurance companies would require you to pay the full annual premium upfront if you have a history of missing premium payments.
But your case is different because your auto insurance policy has been cancelled because they considered you high risk due to your drunk driving charge. Your auto insurance company may not be willing to reinstate your policy so it’s time for you to look elsewhere for coverage. There are a lot of auto insurance companies that are willing to sell policies to high-risk policyholders. It may be a higher price, but it will be a better deal so it will be worth it. Try to get an online rate quote now to check out what’s waiting for you for your auto insurance.
Reader’s Question:
Is it true that my brother’s car insurance premiums could triple after his DUI conviction?
Mara
Arivaca, AZ
It would be possible that because your brother is convicted for DUI in Arivaca, Arizona, his auto insurance premiums could double, and in some instances, even triple. If he goes to his auto insurance company to get an SR22 form, his auto insurance provider would consider him as a “high-risk” driver and increase his insurance premiums. This is especially true if he was previously in a “preferred class” or received safe-driver discounts.
You probably know that your brother’s driving privileges are suspended for at least 30 days to one year because of his DUI conviction. Once he gets his driver’s license and privileges back, he would have to provide the licensing agency with an SR22 form, which proves that he has motor vehicle liability insurance. Under the SR22 laws, the insurance company is required to notify the licensing agency, which is the Department of Motor Vehicles, if the policy is canceled, terminated or lapses for any reason. He might be looking for an SR22 auto insurance provider right now and he can definitely get an online rate quote available from this website.
Reader’s Question:
I received a DUI but I do not want to lose my drivers license, so I just need to know if there is a US state where I can obtain a drivers license?
Larry
Phoenix, AZ
All states have laws with regards to driving while intoxicated or driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs and other serious violation. In all states a DUI is a serious violation with associated penalties such as fines, jail time, suspension or revocation of driver’s license, etc. Most of these states are also part of the Driver’s License Agreement- meaning that they forward their DMV records with each other so the driving under the influence charge would follow you if you move to a different state.
There are some states which permit violators to drive their automobiles that are equipped with ignition interlocks. This device checks the driver’s breath and the ignition will be disabled if it determines the driver has been drinking. I would recommend that you seek legal advice with regards to this to verify if there is anyway in which you could not lose your drivers license.
Reader’s Question:
I was arrested for DUI and I was told that I need to get an attorney, but can I represent myself? What can a lawyer actually do for me if I go and hire one?
Joaquin
Tucson, AZ
Anyone can actually represent himself/herself in court, but the State of Arizona’s DUI law is very complicated and the punishments are quite severe. Also, the DUI statutes do take up a lot of pages of the Arizona Code. Additionally, the statue that makes it illegal to murder someone is conversely only one sentence long. That’s how serious your DUI charge is, so it would be very risky to represent yourself. You need an aggressive DUI attorney to combat all the challenges of your DUI case.
The DUI attorney would research your DUI case so that you could win at your trial. Alternatively, if your DUI case could not be won, he could fight to at least have minimum punishments. The DUI attorney could also negotiate to at least have a reduced charge. He/she would also make sure that everything will go through courts and the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) smoothly. If you have a DUI attorney on your side, you definitely have a fighting chance to battle your DUI case.
Reader’s Question:
Hi, my name is Lance, I live in Phoenix, Arizona and I have been driving for a long time. I didn’t know that speed and braking properly can even be a difficult task for an impaired driving. How can this happen and could you give me an example?
Lance
Phoenix, AZ
There are numerous driving cues that we can observe and basically judge that a motorist is driving under the influence. Two of the problems that an impaired driver can exhibit are speeding and braking problems. A research has shown that braking properly could be a difficult task for an impaired driver. For example, there is a good chance that a driver is under the influence if you notice any type of stopping problem. These stopping problems include jerky or abrupt stops, stopping too far from a curb or at an inappropriate angle and stopping too short or beyond a limit line.
Impaired drivers could also experience difficulty maintaining an appropriate speed. There is also a good chance that the motorist is driving under the influence if you notice the vehicle to vary its speed, alternating between speeding up and slowing down; accelerate or decelerate rapidly for no apparent reason; or driven at a speed that is ten miles per hour or more under the limit.
Reader’s Question:
When I was arrested for DUI in Arizona, I really got curious when the officer did a so-called nystagmus test. I heard that nystagmus can be caused by other factors. What are these factors that may be able to help me in my defense?
Rae
Catalina Foothills, AZ
As police officers and certain studies claim, the horizontal gaze nystagmus (HGN) helps police officers correctly determine motorists who are under the influence of alcohol. The HGN is based on a theory that that alcohol affects the automatic tracking mechanisms of the eyes and nystagmus is defined as “an involuntary rapid movement of the eyeball, which may be horizontal, vertical, rotatory, or mixed.” Alcohol would slow down the eyes’ ability to rapidly track objects and causes to eyes to jerk or oscillate before they normally would in a sober person.
Nystagmus could be caused by many other factors such as problems in an individual’s inner ear labyrinth. As a matter of fact, irrigating the ears with warm water or cold water would be a source of error. There are also other physiological problems such as certain kinds of diseases that could result in gaze nystagmus. Streptococcus, influenza, vertigo, infections, syphilis, measles, muscular dystrophy, arteriosclerosis, Korsakoff’s Syndrome, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, brain hemorrhage and other psychogenic disorders all have been shown to cause nystagmus. All of these and other conditions may result in gaze nystagmus that you could be able to use as a defense in your DUI case in Catalina Foothills, Arizona.
Reader’s Question:
I got arrested just recently for DUI and my driver’s license got suspended. How can I get back and forth to work if I don’t have my driver’s license?
Hudson
Yuma, AZ
Arizona occupational driver’s licenses could be available under many different circumstances. The judge should find that an “essential need” exists such as job and school commuting. This kind of license would be restricted as to areas, routes and certain times. If you get an occupational driver’s license, you could be able to get back and forth to work after your DUI charge in Yuma, Arizona.
The occupational driver’s license could be granted only after an appropriate lawsuit is filed to obtain the driver’s license. A qualified DUI lawyer could definitely help you with the process of obtaining the occupational driver’s license. The costs usually vary but the fees of $120-$200 are common. Arizona Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) requires another $10 and an SR22 auto insurance would also be necessary. The SR22 auto insurance is a document sent to MVD to make sure that you are continuously insured as required by the laws. Let me remind you now that the SR22 auto insurance and DUI lawyer would have additional costs. Another reminder is that some people could be ineligible to get an occupational license.
Reader’s Question:
What are the process that I would have to undergo after being arrested for DUI in Arizona? What is the process involved and could I be able to request for a trial by jury?
Arthur
Casas Adobes, AZ
After being arrested and charged for DUI in Casas Adobes, Arizona, under the DUI laws, it would inevitably followed by a long drawn out process of legal involvement. The first step after being charged with DUI would be the Preliminary Hearing at the district justice level. At this point, it would allow the judge to decide if there is sufficient evidence against you. The next step would be your arraignment that would help you to know what you are being charged with and at this stage, you would also be advised of your rights to make sure that you understand your charges. You would also be required at this point to enter a plea of guilty or not guilty. If this is your first DUI offense, you could get away with fines, community service and alcohol awareness programs.
If you are deemed ineligible for the aforementioned programs or if you believe that you are not guilty, you could be able to request for a trial by jury. In this case, you have to make sure that you have a good DUI lawyer to help you because there is much legality that you could be completely unaware of. At the end of your DUI case, the jury would find you innocent or guilty for DUI and would have to prepare yourself for sentencing.
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