My youngest son, who is a named driver on my car insurance policy here in Arizona, was charged with DUI. Is it possible to just take him off my policy and ask him to get his own car insurance without having an effect on my policy?

Garett

Deer Valley, AZ

The guiding principles and rating systems of car insurance companies vary so you have to check with your insurer in Arizona to determine if your son’s DUI will have an effect on your car insurance premiums. If he is still under your car insurance policy, it is possible that your car insurance premiums will increase because of his DUI charge since alcohol-related violations are generally taken seriously by car insurance companies.

As you understand, the driving history of any licensed driver on a car insurance policy or in a household could affect the car insurance rates and the insurer’s choice to insure the car. Some violations could be a reason for the car insurance company to refuse to insure you or to ask you to pay higher car insurance rates.

You must determine what you would have to do to take off or rule out your son from your car insurance policy by getting in touch with your car insurance agent. In the event that your son gets his own car insurance policy, you are most likely be asked to present a proof of his policy to your car insurance provider so that he can be taken off as a driver on your car insurance coverage. In case your car insurance premiums go up, then you have to begin shopping around for new car insurance policy.

My daughter got a DUI charge here in Arivaca, Arizona and I heard that there would be a license suspension that is different than the one if she will be convicted for the DUI offense. What kinds of license suspensions could she be facing?

Amara

Arivaca, AZ

The Arizona Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) DUI license suspension is different from the DUI license suspension by a conviction. This kind of suspension is commonly referred to as the administrative license suspension. There are two types of administrative license suspensions that are common in Arizona DUI cases. These license suspensions actually have nothing to do with the DUI suspect’s ultimate innocence or guilt in the DUI case. On your daughter’s DUI arrest in Arivaca, Arizona, if she refused a blood, urine or breath test or was not able to complete a test, she may face a minimum of one year license revocation. If she took the blood alcohol test but failed it, she may face a minimum of a 90-day license suspension.

The other license suspension that she may face would be the suspension by a conviction. If she will be convicted for DUI, the court that the conviction took place will send an abstract to the MVD. Once the MVD gets a word of the DUI conviction, their policies will dictate what happens next. If it is a first DUI conviction in a five-year frame, the MVD would not take action because of the conviction if an administrative license suspension has already been issued.

A friend of mine was just recently charged with DUI. He failed the walk and turn test and the one leg stand which I believe can be explained by his balance control problems because he has labyrinthitis. Could he use this balance disorder as a DUI defense?

Taryn

Peoria, AZ

Labyrinthitis is a balance disorder which is an inflammatory process affecting the labyrinths that house the vestibular system of the inner ear. This health problem is caused by a viral or bacterial infection, a reaction to a particular medicine, an allergy, or head injury. This may change the balance system and could result in a balance problem. Labyrinthitis can also cause dizziness which is probably why your friend failed the two of the standardized field sobriety tests which are walk and turn test and the one leg stand.

The results of the field sobriety tests (FST’s) such as the walk and turn test and the one leg stand are said to be determinant factors as to whether or not a person is driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. But lot of people suffer from balance control problems. People who have a balance disorder can experience a sensation of dizziness, visual blurring, light headedness and disorientation. Your friend may actually sober when he performed these FST’s but failed because of his balance disorder. Because of that, his balance disorder can be used a defense on is DUI charge in Peoria, Arizona.

I have a DUI charge in Tucson, Arizona and I’m waiting for my first court hearing. This is going to be a big lesson for me because I actually have been drinking and driving for a long time and this is the first time that I was caught. Can I win my Arizona DUI case?

Genesis

Tucson, AZ

Resoundingly, yes, you can win your DUI case. You can beat your DUI charge in many situations. Even you are presumed innocent, until proven guilty, by a jury of their peers, and beyond a reasonable doubt. This is true despite the best efforts of the Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and your Arizona State representatives. Any talented Arizona DUI defense lawyer would tell you the police officers make mistakes in almost every case. The trick there is to find these mistakes and use them to your advantage. There are many DUI defenses that an experienced Arizona DUI lawyer can come up with in your unique situation.

Many times a case can be dismissed or thrown out by the judge on the prosecutions motion before trial. It is your Constitutional Right to make the State prove its Arizona DUI case. Many times, with a lawyer who focuses his practice on Arizona DUI defense, the DUI case becomes very hard to prove indeed.

I want to know the things that I should know if I will be arrested for DUI. I know some people who have been charged with DUI here in Arizona. I’m not counting out the possibility that I could be arrested for the same offense in the future because I always risk drinking and driving, though I do my best to avoid it. But just in case, what is the first step in a DUI defense?

Hilary

Mesa, AZ

With so much at stake with Arizona DUI charge, it is surprising that many drivers do not know their rights when pulled over. Some people don’t even know that they have rights at all.

If ever you will be pulled over for suspicion of DUI, you know that it can be a very intimidating and frightening situation. But knowing your rights is actually the first step in a DUI defense. Remember that you have the right to remain silent and you may refuse to answer questions. You may also refuse to take any field sobriety tests (FST). But the law would require you to a chemical test. You may be able to speak with a DUI lawyer prior to the test depending on the situation. This may not always be the case but always request to speak to a lawyer. You should also consider getting an independent blood test. You can get the at a hospital emergency room.

Knowing your rights when pulled over by a police officer over a DUI suspicion can turn a potential nightmare into a manageable one. If you always risk drunk driving and get caught and charged with DUI, be polite with the police officer and invoke your rights as this would create a more manageable outcome.

Hi. My father has been convicted for DUI three years ago here in Tucson Arizona. I want to know more about DUI facts in Arizona so that I would be more knowledgeable about it. How does a DUI charge considered a felony?

Kaye

Tucson, AZ

Thanks for asking, Kaye.

DUI charge is a very serious criminal offense. Arizona DUI law has a reputation as among the nation’s toughest. The legal limit for blood alcohol concentration level (BAC) is .08%. A BAC of .15% or higher results in additional charges.

It will be considered a felony if the suspect has two or more prior DUI convictions in Arizona or in another state within seven years of the arrest. The suspect’s privileges to drive are revoked, suspended or restricted at the time he/she is charged with DUI in Arizona. It will also be considered a felony if there is a child under 15 years old the vehicle.