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Extreme DUI Arizona Lawyer for High BAC Charges

High BAC DUI Charges Carry Severe Penalties — But They’re Defensible

Arizona has some of the strictest DUI laws in the country, and charges based on high blood alcohol levels are among the most intimidating. If your BAC was reported at 0.15+, you may be charged with Extreme DUI. If it was 0.20+, the state may file a Super Extreme DUI — both carrying mandatory jail time, steep fines, and long ignition interlock requirements.


Here’s what Arizona law says:


Extreme DUI (BAC ≥ 0.15):

  • Minimum 30 days jail
  • Higher fines
  • Mandatory ignition interlock (1+ year)
  • License restrictions and alcohol treatment requirements


Super Extreme DUI (BAC ≥ 0.20):

  • Minimum 45 days jail
  • Even higher mandatory fines
  • Longer ignition interlock requirements
  • Stricter license and court consequences


These numbers are frightening — but high BAC does not mean hopeless. With a strategic DUI defense, charges can be reduced, evidence can be challenged, and jail time can often be minimized or converted to alternatives like home detention.

What We Help With

Extreme DUI (BAC 0.15–0.199)

We examine whether the traffic stop was legal, whether field tests were properly administered, and whether breath or blood results are scientifically reliable.

Super Extreme DUI (BAC 0.20+)

High BAC cases demand rigorous scrutiny. We investigate calibration logs, blood draw procedures, laboratory handling, and timing issues that can affect BAC accuracy.

Reducing Extreme DUI to Standard DUI

Challenging the BAC can sometimes bring charges below key thresholds — dramatically lowering jail time and costs.

Home Detention & Jail Alternatives

Many courts (including in Coconino County) allow portions of mandatory jail to be converted into home detention or work-release programs. We petition aggressively for these outcomes.

Young Drivers & Students Facing High BAC Charges

If you're under 21 or an NAU student, we also evaluate underage-specific consequences.

High BAC DUI on Federal Property

If arrested in national parks or on federal land, your case may be handled in federal court.

Mistakes That Can Make a Tough Situation Worse

  • Assuming a high BAC means the case can’t be defended.
    Machines malfunction, lab procedures fail, and officers make errors.


  • Ignoring the MVD deadlines.
    Your license can be suspended fast if you don’t take immediate action.


  • Talking to prosecutors without representation.
    They may try to lock you into admissions early.


  • Failing to get a lawyer experienced with high BAC cases.
    Extreme DUIs require deeper scientific and procedural understanding than standard DUIs.


  • Accepting a plea without exploring reductions.
    A reduced charge can save weeks of jail and thousands of dollars.
Police officer using a breathalyzer on a driver in a car.

How We Defend Extreme and Super Extreme DUI Charges

High BAC DUIs hinge on science, timing, and procedure. We break down each part of the case to find opportunities for reduction or dismissal.



The Process:

01

Detailed Review of the Stop & Arrest

We examine reasonable suspicion, probable cause, and officer training.

02

Breathalyzer & Blood Test Investigation

We check machine calibration, medical issues, altitude effects, contamination risks, and chain-of-custody errors.

03

BAC Threshold Analysis

Even slight inaccuracies can pull a BAC down below .15 or .20 — dramatically reducing consequences.

04

Negotiation Toward Reduced Charges

We push for a downgrade to a standard DUI when evidence supports it.

05

Jail-Time Mitigation Strategy

We pursue home detention, work release, or minimum-term agreements whenever possible.

If You’re Not Sure What to Do Next

If you blew over .15 or .20

These numbers are not final — equipment issues and procedural flaws may make results inadmissible.

If you’re terrified of mandatory jail

We fight aggressively for alternatives like home detention or reductions that drastically cut jail time.

If this is your first Extreme DUI

First-time offenders often have opportunities for negotiated outcomes that avoid worst-case penalties.

If your job, license, or immigration status is at risk

We analyze collateral consequences and build a plan to protect what matters most.

If you were arrested near NAU or downtown Flagstaff

We understand local enforcement patterns, testing issues, and prosecutor tendencies.

Two overlapping speech bubbles, one with a question mark.

Common Questions About Extreme & Super Extreme DUIs

  • What is an Extreme DUI in Arizona?

    A charge for driving with a BAC of 0.15 or higher.

  • What is a Super Extreme DUI?

    A charge for a BAC of 0.20 or higher, with harsher mandatory penalties.

  • Can Extreme DUI charges be reduced?

    Yes. With strong evidence challenges, they can sometimes be reduced to standard DUI.

  • Will I have to go to jail?

    Mandatory jail applies, but part of it may be converted into home detention or minimized.

  • Should I fight the BAC result?

    Absolutely. High BAC cases often turn on machine accuracy, blood handling, or procedural errors.

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Extreme DUI Charges Move Fast — Start Your Defense Now

Clients across Sedona, Williams, Page, Tuba City, and Winslow rely on the Law Office of Matthew J. Poirier, PLLC to challenge high BAC results and fight for reduced penalties. The sooner we get involved, the more options we have.