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Arizona has many different levels of DUI charges including "Extreme DUI" and "Super Extreme DUI." Both of these Arizona DUI offenses are higher charges in relation to the range penalties associated with an Arizona Misdemeanor DUI offense. These or any DUI, for that matter in Arizona are very serious offenses.

First a word of caution...you should think twice before you decide to defend your DUI charges on your own. Arizona has the toughest DUI laws in the country and they are constantly changing. You should consult a well versed, experienced Arizona DUI Defense Attorney to defend your DUI charges. Currently the following explains differences between penalties including fines, fees, incarceration and other punishments associated with the two:

Arizona Extreme DUI

Getting charged with an extreme DUI in Phoenix or anywhere in Arizona you will face charges if your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is 0.15% or greater. At this point, the driver's ability to safely operate a vehicle is severely compromised.

A first time Arizona Extreme is punishable by:

• A 90-day driver's license suspension
• Up to 5 years probation
• 30 to 180 days in jail
• Fines and fees
• Mandatory participation in an alcohol treatment program
• Installation of an ignition interlock device in any car that you drive
A second Arizona Extreme conviction will result in even greater penalties, including:
• A 1-year driver's license revocation
• Up to 5 years probation
• 60 days jail, 280 days total
• Fines and fees
• Mandatory participation in an alcohol treatment program
• Installation of an ignition interlock device in any car that you drive

Arizona Super Extreme DUI

In Arizona you will get a Super Extreme charge if you are found operating a vehicle with a BAC level of 0.20% or greater. This is the most serious misdemeanor Arizona DUI. A conviction results in much higher penalties, including:

• Driver's license suspension/revocation
• Up to 5 years probation
• 45 days to 180 days in jail
• Fines and fees
• Mandatory participation in an alcohol treatment program
• Installation of an ignition interlock device for 18 months

If you have received a second Super Extreme, the penalties will be even greater including a mandatory 180 days in jail.

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If you are considering contacting a company that will purchase structured settlements, then you should read this article first. Here, you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions associated with any decision to sell structured settlements.

So, read further to become better informed and avoid getting scammed.

What Is A Structured Settlement?

This method of settling lawsuit disputes includes a financial instrument, much like an annuity, that allows lawsuit settlements to be paid as a stream of income instead of a lump sum. Typically, these benefits are paid for a fixed period of time (period certain payments) or until the victim's death (lifetime payments).

However, the payments can be "structured" to include both an initial lump sum payment as well as a periodic payment of income. Even though these type of arrangements are primarily set up as a result of a personal injury lawsuit, this settlement option has been used in conjunction with employment disputes, discrimination cases and contractual disputes.

Why Are Settlements Structured?

Settlements might be structured for a variety of different reasons, attempting to take into account the potential future needs of the plaintiff and provide a reliable source of income.

In these instances, the plaintiff or his guardian will purchase structured settlements to ensure the plaintiff has a reliable stream of income throughout his or her lifetime.

Unfortunately, this set up can quickly become a burden due to a lack of flexibility and inability to adapt to life's events. You might need the ability to sell structured settlements to provide the financial flexibility to expand the financial options for you and your family.

In rare circumstances, some companies are willing to write structured settlement loans for short term cash needs. But because these require the same level of judicial review, they are not common.

Does The Company Have To Purchase Structured Settlements In Their Entirety?

Absolutely not.

In fact, the most common scenario involves a seller who needs a specific lump sum for a particular purpose. If the lump sum is small enough, the company desiring to buy the annuity will offer to purchase a portion of the stream of income payments as opposed to th whole thing.

A reputable company that wants to buy structured settlements will work with the seller to determine the best way to obtain the lump sum needed while maintaining a degree of flexibility. The company will take the information provided by the seller and apply the information to a structured settlement calculator to arrive at a quote for the seller to evaluate and review.

How Long Will It Take To Get My Money?

The seller typically received his or her cash within four to six weeks after paperwork is completed. The variance in time is cause because each seller has unique circumstances that may postpone or delay payment including, missing paperwork and the need to get court approval.

The company will assist the seller in expediting the process.

Will I Have To Pay Taxes On The Money I Receive?

It depends.

While federal law hold that money coming from a pain and suffering settlement as tax exempt, state laws may vary from state to state. The preferential treatment given to personal injury payments is codified under Internal Revenue Code Section 5891 (2001).

However, if the damages were paid in conjunction with an employment dispute, the lump sum could constitute taxable income. Sellers should consult with an accountant, lawyer or tax professional to determine the tax treatment of the money received.

Will My Annuity Carrier Penalize Me If I Cash It In?

No.

Even though some internal policies prohibit such transfers, Internal Revenue Code Section 5891, makes such transfers legal.

You will need to consult with an attorney to determine your contractual obligations under the annuity contract.

Purchase Structured Settlements With Confidence

Now that you have some answers to the most common questions asked by clients, you can approach several companies that purchase structured settlements.

Sometimes, the company that offers the most cash for your annuity is not the best choice. Instead, the decision to sell should be made after evaluating all available information.

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Purchase Structured Settlements occur when large sums of money are extended over numerous months or even years. Why do companies or parties create such a structured settlements. In the course of litigation, there may be a large settlement that is due to one party or parties. By expanding the payment over a period of time, there are some tax advantages, and for the party receiving the money, there is some assurance of future income.

Contrarily, if you received an entire settlement in one, lump sum, there is nothing set aside for future income.

Now in ordinary litigation where there are serious personal injuries, these parties are going to have ongoing or future medical treatments. They will be in dire need of funds to pay for these future medical expenses. The structured settlement is perfectly suited for these circumstances. There may be some circumstances where the plaintiff has good cause for demanding the entire sum in one, full payment. They may have dual medical coverage, or they may not need future medical attention at all. They could simply want to pay off their mortgage or finish their education These are just some of the types of circumstances when a party may wish to have the entire settlement at one time.

If you previously agreed to a structured settlement, either by way of a lawsuit, an insurance annuity or even a lottery payout, this would be the time when you would investigate the possibility of having someone or some company purchase your structured settlement Of course these structured settlement buyers are not doing this out of the kindness of their heart. There are substantial fees associated with a purchase of a structured settlement.

One option you can consider is to offer to sell only a fraction (i.e. 50%) of your structured settlement to the buyer. This may be a win/win situation where you can get substantial sum of money up front, but you may still receive future disbursements as well, of course much smaller than your original structured settlement.

Another consideration is that the sale of your purchase structured settlement may need prior court approval. In some jurisdictions, the courts are acting on the behalf of injured parties to ensure that what you are considering is truly in your best interests. After all, you may be asking the court to get rid of a perfectly structured settlement that was established for your own protection.

Make sure that you allow yourself ample time to perform your own due diligence on the various companies the purchase structured settlements It is a very competitive area, and there are some smaller companies that offer what may seem as attractive terms. However, do not just jump at the first offer of cash for your structured settlements. Many of the big-named firms may have similar attractive terms or even better, but you'll never know if you don't spend a bit of time researching a handful of companies who specialize in the purchase of structured settlements.

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If you are a personal injury victim, here are three good reasons why you purchase structured settlements instead of getting a lump sum settlement.

Specifically, when you buy structured annuities, you avail yourself to considerable tax advantages; protect yourself from having funds dissipated; and, if you are disabled, the periodic payments, combined with other estate planning options, can increase your likelihood of Medicaid eligibility.

Take a look at this article to determine whether or not you should purchase structured settlement payments instead of a lump sum settlement.

Purchase Settlement Annuities For Their Tax Advantages

Many companies that sell these types of annuities tout the advantages of tax avoidance.

While you should not base your decision to buy structured settlements solely on tax consequences, it is certainly a consideration. Specifically, personal injury payments are exempt from federal income tax under federal law. However, settlements for lost wages are subject to taxation. When you settle your claim, you may avail yourself of other tax advantages under the Federal Structured Settlement Protection Act.

With appropriate tax planning, such a settlement may provide favorable tax treatment, and may in some cases be tax exempt.

Buy Annuities To Prevent Waste Of Funds

Companies that sell annuities correctly advise that they are intended to compensate the plaintiff for injuries and provide for future lost wages and medical care. But, oftentimes, structuring a settlement can protect minors, incompetent persons and financially unsophisticated plaintiffs.

Unsophisticated Plaintiffs. Face it, some people just aren't good at handling their finances. In my experience, all sorts of "shady" friends and relatives come "out of the woodwork" encouraging the plaintiff to "share the wealth." Within a sort period of time, the plaintiff is penniless. Encouraging the plaintiff to purchase an annuity settlement keeps the money from being squandered; and, more importantly, gives the plaintiff an "excuse" to refuse unscrupulous friends and relatives' requests for money.

Incompetents And Minor Children. The legal representatives or guardians of minors should consider buying annuities in lieu of cash. Many of the same benefits to unsophisticated plaintiffs also apply to minors as well. Sometimes, the parents of minor personal injury plaintiffs are unsophisticated and could waste the funds instead of saving them for the child's benefit. Instead, a guardian who decides to purchase structured annuities, can set up such annuities so that the child receives periodic lump sum payments for college expenses, the purchase of a house and possibly a business.

Purchase Settlement Annuities To Pay For Future Medical Care

Most personal injury plaintiffs look to buy structured settlements to provide for future medical care. Structured settlement calculators can be used to predict cash needs to prepare for future medical needs.

Notwithstanding the benefits of periodic payments, in some cases, severely injured payment would obtain better benefits from a special needs trust. This is because of the possibility that the plaintiff could be eligible for Medicaid because of the severity of his or her injuries.

A special needs trust can be structured so that the plaintiff can receive the benefits of a settlement without being disqualified from receiving Medicaid. Consult with an estate planning attorney or disability needs planner for more information on this particular situation.

Substantial Benefits To Plaintiffs When They Buy Structured Annuities

As a plaintiff, now that you know a bit more about the benefits obtained when you purchase settlement payments, you can decide what is right for you.

Specifically, you need to consider the potential tax advantages when you buy structured settlements. Many companies that sell structured annuities will advise that their annuities will protect the plaintiffs against waste, fraud and mismanagement.

Companies can use structured settlement calculators and actuaries to develop a plan to meet the needs of a minor child. Finally, although the benefits of buying settlement annuities are plentiful, there are times where a special needs trust might be a better alternative to a plan to purchase structured settlement payments.

In the end, you need to consult with your attorney, tax advisor and financial planners to determine whether the decision to purchase structured settlements is one that you should consider.

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