DUI

Welcome to the yourbestlawyer.com. The following video is for a first offense Extreme DUI within 7 years. Before we start speaking about DUI’s let’s cover some definitions. According to Arizona Revised Statute 28-101.24, “driving” means to operate or be in physical control of a motor vehicle, meaning you don’t necessarily need to be “driving” for an officer to use that word. The meaning “under the influence” means that the person is under the influence of alcohol, drugs, medicines, vapors, any toxins, or any substance that impairs a person to the slightest degree.

Typically, in the state of Arizona, there are 4 ways that law enforcement can approach you to start a DUI investigation:

1. Traffic violation, like driving too fast, running a red light, etc.
2. Welfare check. An example of this would be a car crashed in the middle of the road, or a car parked on the side of the freeway, etc.
3. Complaint or by a 3rd party observation. For example, a witness calling 911 complaining that a person is driving too fast or weaving in and out of lanes.
4. DUI checkpoint.

Once the individual gets pulled over, law enforcement will ask questions such as “Have you been drinking tonight?” or “Where are you coming from?” Hoping you will say from a bar or something incriminating. In Arizona, along with most of the country, you have the right to prevent criminal self-incrimination. Therefore, it is your choice whether to answer that question.

If you give incriminating comments, or even if you admit to drinking a drop of alcohol, you are automatically opening the doors for a probable cause to believe that you are possibly committing a crime.

Usually, if you incriminate yourself, the next step is doing some form of field sobriety test. Some types of physical tests that an officer may ask you to do are the following:

• Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (eye coordination test)
• Walk and Turn
• One-Legged Stand

In the state of Arizona, it is not required for an individual that is under investigation for DUI to take any Field sobriety test. Other evidence that the officer can use includes visual and physical observations, such as slurred speech, bloodshot eyes, lack of balance, smell of alcohol, etc.

A portable breathalyzer test (PBT) is not admissible in Arizona. But in most cases, officers around the state have PBTs handy. If you submit to a PBT, and if you blow a degree of alcohol (over .04 for commercial drivers and over .05 for everyone else), it helps the officer to justify an arrest for further testing.

After the officer piles up evidence against you, the next step is an arrest. Law enforcement will arrest you temporarily and collect a breath sample with an admissible machine such as an Intoxilyzer 8000 or 9000. They also have the option to take a blood test (2 vials) or a urine analysis, or all 3 of them. If you are at this point, Arizona has a law called implied consent, ARS28-1321(B), meaning if you refuse to take any of these tests, your privileges to drive will be suspended or denied for a minimum of 12 months. Failure to do the test correctly may also count as a refusal. The officer might also tell you that if you do not take the test (blood vials or urine test or Intoxilyzer 8000 or 9000), they can obtain a search warrant and force you to take it. If it gets to this point, it may turn a bit ugly. While you are arrested, they will ask you more incriminating questions, such as from a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being the worst, how intoxicated do you believe you are. As stated before, you have the right to prevent self-incrimination.

Typically, after they are done with their investigation, they release you unless there are aggravating circumstances.

Most DUIs are class 1 Misdemeanors, meaning that they all carry up to a maximum punishment of up to 6 months in jail, plus fines, suspension of driving privileges, classes, and alcohol monitoring (ignition Interlock Device). But they vary on minimum mandatory penalties, and those penalties are negotiable depending on how strong or how weak the case is against you. For a first offense misdemeanor DUI, here is the potential sentence for Extreme DUI (over .15):

• Minimum 30 days in jail (some of the jail time may be suspended)
• Maximum 6 months in jail
• Fines and fees up to $2,500.00
• Alcohol classes & treatments
• Drug classes and treatments
• Ignition Interlock Device / Minimum 1 year or more
• Probation up to 3 years
• Suspension of Arizona driving privileges or driver’s license for 90 days

With all the information given, you should be able to make the best-informed decision regarding the type of case that you have. The following statement is not legal advice but is more common sense: If you buried yourself with evidence against you, the likelihood that your case will be dropped or dismissed is extremely unlikely. However, if you know that the evidence against you is weak, then that places you in a better situation to negotiate or possibly have your case dismissed with the right attorney.

Below are 3 options depending on your finances:

1. First option: Attorneys in the field that practice DUIs and have at least 2 years of experience. They will be the cheapest option. These attorneys start at $2,500.00 to $5,000.00; this fee includes an MVD hearing to try to prevent actions against your driving privileges and all court procedures up to trial. Usually, most cases in Arizona do not go to trial; therefore, trial is not included. If the case goes to trial, it will be a separate fee. In this instance, you are able to make an offer depending on your finances, and attorneys practicing in the court where the case is filed will send you inquiries accepting your terms!
2. Second option: Attorneys that practice at least over 6 years in the DUI field. This is recommended if you need a greater amount of knowledge, exposure, and trial articulation to obtain a dismissal. These types of attorneys start at $5,000.00 to $8,500.00, including MVD procedures but not trial. You can place a bid with your desired down payment and have attorneys respond back with acceptances!
3. Third option: Top-notch attorneys with at least 10 years of practice in the field, and some of them are Board Certified Specialists, meaning they have higher standards with the Arizona State Bar. We recommend these types of attorneys for high-profile cases where you are trying to seek a dismissal at whatever cost. For example, if you are a doctor, an attorney, an actor, a CEO, and a conviction would ruin you or your company, these attorneys digest every single inch of evidence with a magnifying glass (figure of speech) and fight all aspects of the case with expert witnesses. These attorneys charge a premium fee, between $8,500 to $13,000, including MVD services but not including trial.

We trust you've gained more knowledge and will make the best decision from the available lawyer options. Each attorney, from novice to expert, aims to achieve case dismissal or obtain the best possible result with the least exposure possible. Best of luck, and may you have a great experience using our platform!