I got a DUI here in Arizona and I need to get SR22 as soon as possible for me to drive again. I’m reviewing several insurance companies so I need to find out, what do I have to know about insurance companies before I go with them?

Edward

Coconino, AZ

Following a conviction for Driving Under the Influence (DUI) in the state of Arizona, you will be mandated to keep high risk insurance commonly known as SR22 insurance. SR22 for DUI is submitted for you by your car insurance company to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The filing of SR22 for DUI can be done immediately if this would be done online.

If you are in the process of selecting which insurance company to go with for your SR22 DUI, you have to consider one too many things aside from the amount you have to pay. These things include:

–the kind of insurance company you are doing business with
–availability of SR22 insurance policies in your area
–the type of coverage available for your SR22 DUI
–their guiding principle in terms of cancellation and suspension

Perhaps the most crucial thing you have to consider is their cancellation and suspension rules that are included in every policy they have. A number of insurers will terminate your policy and notify the DMV in case you’re even one day late with your premium payment. The DMV then suspends your driver’s license again until you have gotten another insurance company to cover you for SR22 DUI insurance. You have to focus on the numerous restrictions they give you with this concern.

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.

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.