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.

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.

Are DUI records available for the public? If they are, how do they become available and what could be the reasons why a person would access DUI records?

Alvin
Chandler, AZ

DUI records are almost considered the same as arrest records as the offenders in these kinds of cases who are caught for DUI are charged. DUI records are available for the public and they are mostly helpful for companies who are hiring people and insurance companies. When businesses hire people, they do a background check or simply check all the records of a person they are hiring to ensure that the person is in no way engaged in any improper activities.

DUI records are being registered by the motor vehicle departments and law enforcement agencies. A person who has been convicted for DUI is considered a criminal and there are several punishments he/she has to undergo such as taking alcohol classes, paying huge fines, as well as having an increase on insurance costs. So that life would be easier, the person should keep records of the DUI schools attended and also keep track of any fines paid. Most companies in Arizona also conduct a regular DUI records check before they employ people. So people have to make sure that inform potential employer of the DUI offense before joining a company or else, the employer would have the right to remove the person from the job as well as initiating legal proceedings against him.

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.