Arizona DUI Lawyer

Last Modified: March 20, 2024
Arizona DUI Lawyer

When you have been accused of a DUI, you need the strongest DUI defense possible. At Genesis DUI & Criminal Defense Lawyers, our experienced DUI lawyer is here to fight for you. We know the Maricopa County Attorney's Office can be intimidating, so don't face these charges alone. Learn more about DUI criminal law below. Then, contact us to schedule a case consultation.

Driving Under the Influence DUI in Arizona: Rely on an Arizona DUI Lawyer

Driving under the influence DUI in Arizona Rely on an Arizona DUI lawyer

In the State of Arizona, a DUI (driving under the influence) is a serious offense that can carry significant consequences and penalties. If you are found to be driving with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08% or higher, you can be charged with a DUI. Contact an Arizona DUI Lawyer if you have been charged with a DUI.

One immediate consequence of a DUI is the suspension or revocation of your driver's license. The suspension or revocation length will depend on your case's circumstances and whether you have any prior DUIs. You may also be required to pay a reinstatement fee and complete a driver's education program before your license is reinstated.

In addition to losing your driving privileges, a DUI can also result in criminal penalties. The specific penalties you may face will depend on the severity of your case and whether you have had any prior DUIs. However, you can expect to face fines, community service, and possibly even jail time. In some cases, you may be required to install an ignition interlock device in your vehicle, which prevents you from starting the car if you have been drinking.

Outside the Criminal Penalties: Rely on Our Phoenix DUI Lawyers

Beyond the criminal penalties, a DUI can also have other long-term consequences. It can affect your insurance rates, making it more expensive to insure your vehicle. It can also impact your employment, as many employers do not want to hire someone with a DUI on their record. A DUI can also damage your reputation and relationships with friends and family.

In summary, a DUI in Arizona can carry serious consequences and penalties, including the loss of your driver's license, criminal penalties, and long-term consequences such as higher insurance rates and difficulty finding employment. Always drive sober and make arrangements for a designated driver or alternative transportation if you plan to drink.

Arizona DUI Defenses You Can Use

  • Questioning the Traffic Stop. Sometimes, a police officer might stop a car without a good reason. Your lawyer could argue that the stop would have been illegal if this had happened to you. This can sometimes cause the charges against you to be dropped.
  • Accuracy of the Breathalyzer Test. Breathalyzers aren't perfect and can give wrong readings. Your attorney can check if the device was working correctly or was used properly. If not, the test results might not count in court.
  • Field Sobriety Test Issues. These tests can be hard to do perfectly, even if you haven't had anything to drink. Bad weather, poor lighting, or medical conditions can affect your performance. Your lawyer might use this to challenge the evidence against you.
  • Rising Blood Alcohol Concentration. Your blood alcohol level goes up over time after you drink. If there was a long delay between being stopped and being tested, your BAC might have been lower when you were actually driving. This could be used to argue that you weren't over the limit while driving.
  • Medical Conditions. Some medical conditions can make it look like you're under the influence when you're not. Conditions like diabetes or even diets can affect breathalyzer tests. Your lawyer can use medical evidence to challenge DUI charges.

Arizona DUI Lawyers

Arizona DUI lawyers

Arizona is known nationwide as having some of the toughest DUI laws in the country. In fact, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) ranked Arizona as one of the top 5 most aggressive states when it comes to DUI enforcement and penalties. Driving Under the Influence (DUI), often identified as Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) in other states, is defined in Arizona's Revised Statutes, which states:

It is unlawful for a person to drive or be in actual physical control of a vehicle in this State under any of the following circumstances:

  1. While under the influence of intoxicating liquor, any drug, a vapor-releasing substance containing a toxic substance, or any combination of liquor, drugs, or vapor-releasing substances if the person is impaired to the slightest degree.
  2. If the person has an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more within two hours of driving or being in actual physical control of the vehicle and the alcohol concentration results from alcohol consumed either before or while driving or being in actual physical control of the vehicle.
  3. No drug is defined in section 13-3401 or its metabolite in the person's body.
  4. If the vehicle is a commercial motor vehicle, a person must obtain a commercial driver's license as defined in Section 28-3001, and the person must have an alcohol concentration of 0.04 or more.

Be aware that you may be arrested and charged with a DUI even if you are not impaired and even if your BAC is below 0.08. In Arizona, the law is written so that you may be charged in several ways, making a good defense much more important to your case. These are typically first-time DUIs, not extreme DUIs.

How Our Experienced Criminal Defense Attorney Can Help You

Our job as Arizona DUI attorneys at Genesis DUI & Criminal Defense Lawyers in Arizona is to hold the State accountable and make them prove beyond a reasonable doubt that their claims against you are true. Many DUI cases are won and lost on technicalities, often revolving around how evidence against you is gathered and handled. Consequently, you must contact us as soon as possible so we can put together an appropriate plan of action depending on the facts of your particular case.

As your DUI attorney in Arizona, we fight for your rights and aggressively advocate for the position of every one of our clients.

DUI Penalties in Arizona

DUI penalties in Arizona

Penalties upon a DUI conviction include;

  1. Not less than ten consecutive days in jail;
  2. Significant fines and penalties;
  3. The installation and maintenance of an alcohol ignition interlock device on any vehicle you operate for at least one year;
  4. Community service penalties and
  5. Suspension or revocation of your driver's license. Upon conviction, you will also have a criminal record.

Practically speaking, your career, education, immigration status, or other endeavors that require a position of "good standing" may also be in jeopardy. Most commercial drivers, for example, are under a zero-tolerance policy regarding DUI, and a previous conviction may cause you to lose your job and disqualify you from future employment opportunities.

If you are an undocumented alien in this country and arrested for driving under the influence, you will need specialized help dealing with complex DHS troubles.

Keep in mind, too, that much of your punishment will come in the form of a very long and stressful road through the Arizona state court system. As experienced DUI attorneys in Mesa, Arizona, we will make that journey as painless as possible and navigate it with you every step of the way.

Understanding the applicable laws and local policies and having a rapport with the judges, prosecutors, and other local law enforcement officials who will be on the other side of your case goes a long way. Our experienced Phoenix DUI attorney is here to defend your rights.

License Suspension & Revocation

In Arizona, a refusal to submit to a blood or breath test triggers the suspension of your driving privileges for 12 months. However, you have a short period to request a hearing before the Arizona Department of Transportation, where you can argue your case. This hearing is a different proceeding, separate from your DUI charge, but can sometimes have a significant impact on your DUI case itself.

For that reason, you must contact Genesis DUI & Criminal Defense Lawyers as soon as possible after you are stopped to ensure that ALL your rights are protected. Contact our Arizona DUI attorney today.

FAQs About Arizona DUI

We always take the time to answer your questions before we move forward. Some of the most common questions our Phoenix DUI attorney practice gets asked include:

If you refuse a breathalyzer test in Arizona, your driver's license can be suspended for 12 months. This is because of Arizona's "implied consent" law, which means you agree to these tests when you get your driver's license.

Yes, you can get a DUI in Arizona, even if you're in a parked car. If the police think you were in control of the vehicle while impaired, like having the keys in the ignition, you could be charged.

A DUI conviction stays on your criminal record permanently in Arizona. However, for purposes like insurance, it's often considered relevant for only 5 to 7 years. Contact our experienced Phoenix DUI lawyer for the legal representation you need.

Contact Our Arizona DUI Lawyer For a Free Consultation

Contact our Arizona DUI lawyer for a free consultation

We are located in Arizona, with locations across the East Valley, and offer a free legal consultation with a criminal defense lawyer about your criminal charges. Our Arizona DUI lawyer is here to help with your charges. Rely on our criminal defense law firm to protect your rights.

If you are looking for a Phoenix DUI lawyer, we can help you. Our law firm has the in-depth knowledge of Arizona DUI laws you need to form a strong defense. Contact our experienced DUI attorney today to schedule a consultation.

Genesis DUI & Criminal Defense Lawyers - Mesa AZ Office

2915 E Baseline Rd., Suite 116, Gilbert, AZ 85234
(480) 405-1847

All initial consultations are free of charge, and we will help you quickly determine what you should do with your pending criminal charges. Our attorneys and staff are friendly and understanding of your situation.

We can help you if you have been arrested and charged with any of the following crimes in Arizona:

  • DUI
  • Extreme DUI
  • Super Extreme DUI
  • DUI Admissible Evidence
  • Boating DUI
  • Boating DUI Extreme
  • Drag Racing
  • Excessive Speeding
  • Aggressive Driving
  • Unreasonable Speed

DUI Attorneys Near Me

Genesis DUI & Criminal Defense Lawyers has criminal defense attorneys in convenient locations across Maricopa, Pinal, and other counties in the State of Arizona. Visit our web page for each of these cities for more specific information:

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