Phoenix First Time DUI Lawyer

First Time DUI Attorney in Phoenix, AZ

Whether you’ve been pulled over on West Jefferson or near Alhambra, a first time DUI conviction is most often a misdemeanor offense. This does not mean that it is a minor offense, as there could be significant penalties imposed upon you if you plead guilty or are convicted. If you want to avoid a conviction, your best opportunity to do so is to retain a veteran Phoenix first-time DUI lawyer who exclusively practices criminal defense.

We will determine the best way to proceed with your case once you contact us for an initial case evaluation.

Davidson Criminal Defense & DUI Law Firm: Working to Protect You

Joshua S. Davidson, founder of the Davidson Criminal Defense & DUI Law Firm, PLC and a former prosecutor, is committed to assisting you to pursue the best possible case outcome. He plans to take your DUI defense to trial, and prepares accordingly. Other criminal defense attorneys attempt to plead down the case to a lesser charge. We take on cases and plan for trial, thus being fully prepared to fight every point in the evidence against you.

Defining the Different Types of First-Time DUIs in Phoenix

For individuals in Phoenix who are at or above the legal drinking age of 21, if you are pulled over and found to have a BAC, or blood alcohol concentration, of 0.08% or higher, you can be charged with driving under the influence, or a DUI. However, if you hold a commercial driver’s license and are driving your commercial vehicle at the time of being pulled over, your BAC can be no higher than 0.04%.

For minors, even those attending college in Phoenix, if you are caught driving with any amount of drugs or alcohol in your system, you can be charged with a DUI, which can have serious implications on both your personal life and your education.

More than half of DUI cases across the United States involve first-time offenders, as only around 30% of cases are those of repeat offenders. If this is your first time facing DUI charges, it can be helpful to understand the different kinds of DUI charges and their typical penalties should you be convicted. These charges and penalties include:

• First DUI offense. If this is your first standard DUI offense, you can be punished with no less than 10 days in jail and a fine of around $1,250. You may also be required to attend certain forms of alcohol treatment, screening, or education. An Ignition Interlock Device, or IID, may also be installed in your vehicle, and you could be ordered to perform community service.
• First extreme DUI offense. If you are pulled over and found to have a BAC of 0.15% or higher, you can be jailed for no less than 30 days and fined a total of $2,500. You may also find that you are required to attend alcohol screening, treatment, or educational programs, your car will have an IID installed, and you may be ordered to perform community service.
• Aggravated DUI offense. Even if you are arrested for a first-time DUI, if there are aggravating factors present, this can increase your penalties by a severe amount. Aggravating factors can include driving on a revoked or suspended license, having a minor of 15 years of age or less present in your vehicle at the time of the DUI, or cases that involve the serious bodily injury of another party. You could face two years in jail.

How to Defend Against DUI Charges

Depending on the nature of your first DUI charge and if there are any aggravating factors present, there are several different defense strategies that can be used to either reduce charges or have them dropped. These defenses include:

• Disputing or calling into question the validity or accuracy of any urine, breath, or blood tests
• Proving that you suffer from a medical condition that mimics the same symptoms as alcohol or drug impairment
• Highlighting any procedural errors that were made by the police during your arrest
• Challenging the validity of the traffic stop, such as demonstrating that the police did not have a proper, reasonable suspicion to pull you over

Fight a First Time DUI: Hire a First-Time DUI Lawyer in Phoenix

At that time, we will gather the facts of your arrest and work closely with you to plan your defense. We have a seasoned team of legal professionals to assist with the preparation needed to challenge the weak points of the prosecution’s case.

We will thoroughly investigate the arrest procedure as well as the administration of any tests that you submitted to. Field sobriety tests are notoriously lacking in concrete evidence, yet failing these tests can initiate the process of a DUI arrest. Facing criminal charges of DUI is stressful, but we strive to alleviate your worries by presenting a well-prepared, fully supported and professional defense case to seek an acquittal at trial.

Contact Our Firm Today

We have helped thousands of people charged with serious offenses, from domestic violence to felony DUI. We are confident that if you trust us to handle your case, you will count yourself among the many defendants we have represented. We are professional, and we are proud of our track record of winning cases at trial. Contact our offices today to hire a first-time DUI lawyer who can fight to protect your rights.