People with outstanding warrants in the Valley should watch out because the state’s Department of Public Safety and other local police agencies are looking for the people that have failed to show up in court to answer to a DUI charge. According to KTAR, DPS Sgt. Scott Reutter has said that the warrant squad has made 900 arrests over the past year by going to the homes of people who have been arrested for such crimes.
If DUI suspects want to save themselves from the humiliation of having an officer come after them, they can always turn themselves in at the DPS Command Center, which is located at Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Phoenix. Ignoring an outstanding warrant will usually only make things worse in a DUI case.
In addition to Maricopa County's "DUI Warrant Round-Up," law enforcement agencies in the Valley targeted drunk drivers yesterday with St. Patrick's Day DUI checkpoints. The Arizona Republic reported that the checkpoints were supposed to be separate from the warrant squad's efforts, but that they were both planned to coincide with the holiday that is known for heavy drinking.
Motorists should contact an attorney immediately after a DUI arrest if they want to be informed of their rights during the criminal defense process. Typical penalties for a first-time DUI in the state of Arizona can include imprisonment, probation, fines, and community service. DUI offenders in Phoenix and throughout Arizona are also usually required to install an ignition interlock device on their vehicle for a year after a conviction. In addition to the legal penalties, a DUI conviction can create a criminal record which will affect your insurance rates and possibly show up on employment background checks.
Related Resources:
- Find a Phoenix DUI Attorney (FindLaw)
- Old Arizona DUI Charge (FindLaw Answers)
- Arizona DUI Law (FindLaw)
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