Arizona Legislature Passes a Comprehensive Arizona DUI Bill

House Bill 2395, which now heads to Gov. Janet Napolitano, passed the House on a 35-15 vote, with 10 not voting. Days earlier, it won overwhelming support from the Senate. The bill calls for stiffer penalties for operating a boat while under the influence of alcohol. A provision in the bill would mandate a 10 day jail sentence. The bill would require the suspension of the driver's license of anyone who causes a fatal accident while intoxicated. It also would fix a conflict between two laws enacted last year penalizing those who are caught driving while extremely drunk. The bill spells out that a motorist with a blood-alcohol content of 0.15 percent or above would have to serve 30 days in jail. The bill also reduces the amount of time first-time DUI offenders will be required to use a breath-test device, known as ignition interlock, before getting behind the wheel from 12 to 6 months if they complete an alcohol-treatment program and do not have any breath-test violations.

The information in this blog is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. Please contact us to obtain legal advice pertaining to your situation.