What you are not being told about your DUI can be painful.
The Pain of getting a DUI
There are many emotions and thoughts that come with a DUI. A DUI can be emotionally painful, financially devastating, socially awkward and mentally draining. Dealing with the social stigma is a delicate balancing act as you try getting time off to complete an Alcohol/Drug Screening without drawing too much attention. Because if everyone knew where you were going, they may think less of you. The thought of being rejected by your peers can breathe life into long forgotten emotional pains.
Then there is the real possibility of the person you’re interested in finally showing some interest in you. You get an invite to meet them and their friends Saturday night for a quick dinner and a movie. You have to decline the invitation knowing you don’t have a valid driver’s license; Catching a ride with a friend is an option but you know you have to pay fines and penalties. Financially, things are getting tight. This may not be exactly what you are dealing with but chances are your story still has some new DUI injected life altering obstacles.These are some of the unfortunate consequences of being convicted of a DUI. Sounds like a lot to deal with because it is. Regrettably there may be more for you to decipher.
The Gap
When you consider Arizona had over 21,000 DUI’s in 2018 one would assume the legal process is straightforward. After all your DUI wasn’t the first recorded DUI.
Trying to get your driver’s licenses reinstated after a DUI is a complicated. From the outside looking in I have discovered the Arizona state courts and the MVD have different goals and fractured lines of communication. It all comes down to the difference between the law and the license. Courts are established to ensure you operate within and stay compliant to Arizona State law The MVD is in place to confirm you are meeting the state requirements to reinstate your driving privileges according to Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS). The gap is between Arizona state law and driver license requirement.
The Unturned Stone
As a casual observer I noticed the courts are able to operate with a bit more subjectivity. For instance, I heard a story about an individual who was arrested not convicted of a DUI. To avoid conviction the courts ordered the individual to install an ignition interlock device for 6 months and complete the 16 hours of DUI Education. Seems simple right? Get the interlock and do your education and get your license back.
Unfortunately, the MVD is more constrained and required to follow to the ARS section 28-1381. The MVD has systems in place to ensure DUI arrests complete ARS section 28-1381 requirements. In my previous example the individual may have done exactly what the judge asked them to do and still had his license suspended. The MVD will still require an Alcohol/Drug screening and an additional 6 months of the interlock device. Without contacting the MVD to confirm their requirements, they may have had their license revoked- further complicating the situation. Call the MVD leave no stone unturned.
With two distinct governing bodies involved in the DUI process by overlooking the scope of duties for one group it is possible to fall out of compliance with the other. It is confusing and will be costly. Falling out of compliance could result in further fines, extended loss of driving privileges, possible jail time or additional months with an ignition interlock device.
What to do
So, what is the key to getting your driving privileges reinstated and moving forward with your life? The first step you should do is exactly what the judge has asked you to do. If you were ordered to get an interlock device or complete the DUI Education then add that to your calendar or to do list and get it done. The second step I suggest you do is call the MVD (602.712.7355) and verify which requirements you are to complete. This will clear up any confusion and set you on the right path. Also, depending on what the judge orders you to do you may have already completed some of the requirements.
My last piece of advice is to get compulsive especially if you have already talked to someone at the MVD. I encourage you to call a second or even third time just to validate what you have already been told. Once you have contacted the MVD, have your court orders in hand and understand what it is you need to do to stay compliant and out of jail.
I have some good news for you- Arizona DUI Services is not complicated. We have designed our website to be transparent and clearly outlining the process for each of our services, displaying the costs of our services and creating a user friendly dashboard to help you complete the DUI Screening, Revocation and/or 16 Hour DUI Education. If you are in need of an Alcohol/Drug Screening, Revocation or 16 Hour DUI Education, let Arizona DUI Services be the last piece in the puzzle and step closer to getting your driver’s license back.
