A drink could land you in the clink
Jenna DuffyCopy Editor, The Voice
In Arizona the Driving Under the Influence (DUI) laws changed drastically in September 2007, making it a serious offense backed with some pretty heavy penalties and a "No Tolerance" law that many states have adopted.
A "No Tolerance" law means that the legal limit of .08 is now eliminated, meaning a person with any amount of alcohol or drugs in their system can be charged with a DUI. They are also issued the same penalties as a person with a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of above .08 but below .149. The alcohol counseling offered in this state consists of an alcohol assessment, group meetings, 16 hour weekend alcohol program, and MADD meetings. A person who gets the minimum requirement, which is 10 group meetings and the 16-hour program, will pay $365; if more is required then the price only goes up from there. If any of these classes are missed, the program has to be restarted from the beginning and all the money previously spent is lost.
The police are avid enforcers of this law, with more DUI enforcement areas than ever. It makes one wonder why anyone would get behind the wheel intoxicated, especially when you can get a DUI after just one drink.
You don't even have to be behind the wheel to get a DUI anymore; being within 20 feet of your vehicle with your keys constitutes intent and you will be charged with the DUI your BAC puts you at. Sleeping off a heavy night of drinking in your car is another way to get a DUI without driving an inch, the only way to avoid either scenario is to leave the keys far from your possession.
There are many ways to avoid a DUI: don't drink, have a designated driver, or take a cab, limo, or bus (if drinking early).
However, for Phoenix, a large metropolis, there is virtually no transit offered to late night commuters, except for the $2-$3 per-mile-ride from the cab companies. The busses stop running at 10 p.m., which is four hours earlier than the bars close.
In places such as New York and Chicago they have 24-hour mass transit available by way of their subway system. Phoenix doesn't need a subway system, but if they really want to cut down on DUI's, more transportation options need to be available.
"Even if there was a death sentence for [DUI] crimes, people would still do it because it's a decision that isn't made with the right judgment," said Beth Burton, ACCS counselor for court-ordered rehabilitation.
The fact that the punishments have become more strict and well-defined for DUI in this state hasn't seemed to reduce the number of alcohol-related arrests.
Drinking and driving is a risk that affects everyone on the road as well as property owners. Remember, you may not get pulled over for swerving, speeding, or at a checkpoint, but you could get in an accident and kill someone or yourself and there is always the risk of swerving and taking out a fence or a house. DUI affects entire communities, families and people in drastic ways.
Side Bar -The penalties For a BAC between .00-.149 the penalties are 10 days in jail, with nine suspended if the defendant submits to alcohol counseling, fines of up to $1,500 and a 90-day license suspension.
For a BAC is higher than .15, the penalties are harsher. The usual penalties are fines that start at $2,500, 30 days in jail with 20 suspended for alcohol counseling, a 90-day license suspension and the ignition interlock device for 12 months.
The newest category is "Super-Extreme," a BAC of .20 and up. The penalties for this offense are fines starting at $3,250, a sentence of 45 consecutive days in jail, a 90-day license suspension, alcohol treatment and the ignition interlock device for 12 months.
An aggravated DUI is given for any BAC if that person's license is suspended; they have had more than 3 DUI's or there is a child under 15 years old in the car. This DUI is a class IV felony. Penalties include four months jail time,
