Arizona DUI Arrests for 2012 Top 27,000

DUI Task Forces Saturate the State

There was hardly a city in the valley this holiday weekend, not saturated by police patrols. As the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) warned, they were “everywhere”. Following the New Year’s holiday 2013, the police reported making 4,371 DUI arrests between November 23, 2012 to January 1, 2013, representing a 7.16% increase over this time last year, and 12% from the year before. Of the total 4, 371 total impaired driving arrests, it was reported that 1,098 were for Extreme DUI (0.15% or higher BAC), which constitutes over 25% of all impaired driving arrests.

Drug related impaired driving arrests totaled 934 which represented 21.3% of the total. Aggravated DUI (Felony) totaled 450 or 10.2% of all impaired driving arrests.

The average DUI Blood Alcohol Content level was 0.15% the Extreme DUI, with the legal limit being 0.08%.

This year the state pooled their Law Enforcement resources to create a super DUI task force for the Thanksgiving through New Year’s Eve holidays. The large valley-wide DUI task force was 2,247 officers strong from 70 Police Agencies.

The state reported that overall DUI arrests for 2012 totaled 27,710.

In 2011 a total of 18,916 impaired driving arrests resulted from DUI task forces reported by Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (AZGOHS).

Many are attributing this increase to the fact that there was a higher police presence and DUI task forces demployed throughout Arizona during the year. The AZGOHS provided grants and funding for Cities and Counties. With this, it enabled law enforcement agencies to increase their presence; work overtime, and make more police stops in 2012.

The Arizona Republic reported that there were 787,946 police stops from January 1, 2012 to January 1, 2013. It is unclear how many of those stops were for suspicion of DUI.

Criminal Defense Firm Gilbert AZ

A DUI conviction can have devastating impacts on your life. The laws and penalties in Arizona are among the toughest in the Country, even for first offenders. DUI convictions call for jail terms; fines, fees, and assessments; impound of your vehicle; ignition interlock device on your vehicle; and drug or alcohol counseling. Felony DUI charges call for prison terms and other increased penalties. And it doesn’t stop there. For some it can mean loss of their job or future job opportunities, deportation, and other adverse impacts that can last a lifetime.

If you were arrested for any type of DUI, you should consult an experienced criminal defense attorney well before your first court appearance. You should retain a qualified and effective DUI lawyer who can protect your rights and defend your charges.

There may be defenses that you are not aware of, that may enable you to obtain a favorable resolution in your case. Even though you were arrested, you still have the right to retain an attorney and defend your charges. You should always invoke your rights to this due process under law.

*Statistics updated January 4, 2012 Additional Resources

• DUI Arrest Statistics by Calendar Year AZGOHS

• Gilbert Police DUI Units

• Gilbert Municipal Court

• State Legislature – Arizona DUI Laws • Arizona Republic

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Law Office of James Novak 4500 S. Lakeshore Drive Tempe AZ 85282 (480) 413-1499 Free Initial Consultation Arizona DUI, DWI, Drunk Driving & Criminal Defense Firm Serving Tempe, Phoenix, Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, & Scottsdale AZ Maricopa County