Facing Enhanced Penalties? NCDD-Trained Attorney Is Here For You
Extreme DUI Defense Attorney In Yuma, AZ - BAC 0.15% To 0.19%
Facing Enhanced Penalties? NCDD-Trained Attorney Is Here For You
An Extreme DUI charge in Arizona is not your typical DUI. When your blood alcohol content (BAC) measures between 0.15% and 0.19%, you face significantly harsher penalties than a standard DUI, including mandatory jail time, steep fines and extended ignition interlock requirements. The prosecution will use the high BAC reading to push for maximum penalties, arguing that you posed a serious danger to the public.
Mr. Cordova defends clients facing Extreme DUI charges in Yuma and throughout Arizona. As a member of the National College for DUI Defense (NCDD), he has specialized training in challenging breathalyzer and blood test results. This technical knowledge is critical when defending Extreme DUI cases, where the difference between a standard DUI and an Extreme DUI often comes down to the accuracy of testing equipment and procedures. Don't accept enhanced penalties without a fight. Call (928) 783-0112 now for immediate legal help. We're available 24/7 because we understand that DUI arrests happen at all hours.
Time is critical. You have only 30 days to request an MVD hearing. Call our 24/7 emergency line for immediate legal help.
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Under Arizona Revised Statutes Section 28-1382, an Extreme DUI occurs when a person operates a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.15% or more but less than 0.20% within two hours of driving. This is nearly double the legal limit of 0.08% for a standard DUI.
The law creates two categories of DUI based on BAC levels to impose progressively harsher penalties as impairment increases:
The prosecution doesn't need to prove you were actually more impaired. They only need to prove the BAC reading. This makes challenging the accuracy and reliability of breathalyzer or blood test results the cornerstone of most Extreme DUI defenses. For more information about standard DUI charges and defenses, see our main DUI defense page.
Extreme DUI carries mandatory minimum penalties that judges cannot reduce, even for first-time offenders. Here's what you face if convicted:
These are minimum penalties. The actual consequences can be much worse. Judges can impose harsher sentences, and additional factors like accidents, injuries or children in the vehicle can increase penalties further. A conviction can also impact your employment, professional licenses, insurance rates and immigration status.
The good news is that these penalties apply only if you're convicted. An experienced DUI defense attorney can challenge the evidence, fight to suppress test results and pursue reduced charges or dismissal.
Extreme DUI cases hinge on the BAC reading. If we can successfully challenge the accuracy or admissibility of that BAC evidence, the prosecution's case collapses or they're forced to reduce the charge to standard DUI with significantly less severe penalties. Here are the primary defense strategies we use:
Breathalyzer machines require regular calibration and maintenance. Blood tests depend on proper collection, storage and chain of custody. We investigate whether testing equipment was properly calibrated, whether officers followed required procedures, and whether any factors could have inflated the BAC reading. NCDD training provides the technical knowledge to identify errors that other attorneys might miss.
Alcohol takes time to absorb into your bloodstream. Your BAC may have been below 0.15% while you were actually driving, but continued rising during the time between the traffic stop and when the test was administered. If we can show the BAC was still rising, we can argue you were not at the Extreme DUI level while driving, potentially reducing the charge to standard DUI.
Breathalyzers measure alcohol in your breath, not your blood. Residual alcohol in your mouth from recent drinking, dental work, acid reflux or medical conditions can cause falsely high readings. Officers are required to observe you for 15-20 minutes before administering a breath test to avoid this issue. If they failed to do so, we challenge the test results.
DUI testing requires strict adherence to protocols. Officers must follow specific procedures for administering field sobriety tests, operating breathalyzers and collecting blood samples. We review police reports, body camera footage, and dashcam video to identify procedural errors or protocol violations that can invalidate test results.
The Fourth Amendment protects you from illegal searches and seizures. Police must have reasonable suspicion to stop your vehicle and probable cause to arrest you. If the initial traffic stop was unlawful or the officer lacked probable cause for arrest, all evidence obtained after that point can be suppressed, potentially resulting in case dismissal.
Blood tests require documented chain of custody from collection through laboratory analysis. If there are gaps in documentation, improper storage, contamination risks or questions about who handled the sample, we challenge the reliability of the results. Blood samples must also be drawn by qualified personnel following specific protocols.
The National College for DUI Defense (NCDD) provides specialized training in the science behind DUI arrests. This training covers breathalyzer technology, blood testing procedures, field sobriety test administration and the pharmacology of alcohol absorption and elimination. For Extreme DUI cases, this technical expertise is critical.
When your defense depends on challenging a BAC reading of 0.15% or higher, you need an attorney who understands how breathalyzers work, what can cause false readings, how to cross-examine DUI experts, and how to present technical defenses to judges and juries. Mr. Cordova's NCDD training provides exactly this knowledge. He knows how to question the reliability of testing equipment, identify procedural errors, and present complex scientific concepts in ways that judges and juries understand. Learn more about Mr. Cordova's qualifications and training.
Understanding what happens after an Extreme DUI arrest helps you make informed decisions about your defense:
After your arrest, you'll be taken to jail for booking. You'll typically be released within hours, but your driver's license will be confiscated and replaced with a temporary permit valid for 30 days. Contact an attorney immediately to protect your rights and begin building your defense.
You have only 30 days from your arrest to request an administrative hearing with the Arizona Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) to challenge your license suspension. Missing this deadline means automatic suspension. We handle this request and represent you at the MVD hearing to fight to keep your driving privileges.
We investigate your case thoroughly, reviewing police reports, dashcam footage, breathalyzer calibration records and blood test procedures. We file motions to suppress evidence obtained through illegal stops or procedural violations. Many DUI cases are won or significantly improved during this pre-trial stage.
We negotiate with prosecutors to pursue reduced charges when appropriate, or we prepare for trial if that's the best path forward. Our goal is always to achieve the best possible outcome for your specific situation, whether that's dismissal, reduced charges, or acquittal at trial.
Below are answers to common questions about Extreme DUI charges in Arizona. For specific advice about your case, call (928) 783-0112 for a confidential consultation.
Extreme DUI convictions carry mandatory jail time and life-changing consequences. Call our 24/7 emergency line now for experienced, aggressive defense from an NCDD-trained DUI attorney.
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