Facing a driving under the influence (DUI) charge in Scottsdale can be a frightening and overwhelming experience. Whether you were stopped after a night out in Old Town or have been pulled over along Indian School Road, it is imperative that you understand the intricacies of Arizona law. These charges can have severe impacts on your personal and professional life and result in a wide range of legal penalties. At this difficult time, a Scottsdale DUI lawyer can help.
Davidson Criminal Defense & DUI Law Firm: Defending Your Rights in a DUI Case
Since 2005, the team at Davidson Criminal Defense & DUI Law Firm has been working to defend the rights of Scottsdale residents in a wide range of criminal cases, including DUIs. As a former prosecutor, lead attorney Joshua S. Davidson knows the inner workings of both the Scottsdale City Court on North 75th Street and the Maricopa County Superior Court. Whatever circumstances are involved in your DUI case, our team is here to fight for your rights.
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Scottsdale DUI Charges We Handle
There are few experiences more overwhelming than being pulled over for suspected driving under the influence. At Davidson Criminal Defense & DUI Law Firm, we have handled thousands of these cases since our inception and are now ready to turn our time and attention to you. Our team is prepared to take on even the most difficult cases and is experienced in handling all forms of DUI charges, including:
- First-time DUI. If you are found to be allegedly in total physical control or operation of a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration, or BAC, of 0.08% or higher for the first time, or for the first time in a seven-year period, you can be charged with a first-time DUI. These charges account for more than half of DUI charges, as 30% of cases are repeat offenders across the nation.
- Extreme DUI. If you are pulled over and a breath, urine, or blood test is administered with results indicating your BAC was between 0.15% and 0.20% while you were in control or operation of your vehicle, then you could be charged with an extreme DUI. The penalties for an extreme DUI charge, even if it is a first-time offense, can be severe.
- Super extreme DUI. When a chemical test returns with a result of a BAC that is at or higher than 0.20%, this is considered a super extreme DUI in Arizona, and the penalties involved can impact the entire course of your future, even if it is a first-time offense. You will likely face jail time, along with large fines and the installation of an Ignition Interlock Device (IID) in your vehicle.
- Underage DUI. If you are below the legal drinking age of 21 and are pulled over on suspicion of a DUI, if you have any amount of alcohol in your system, you will likely face charges. This is a major concern for college students in the area, who often use alcohol or recreational drugs as a way to unwind after a week of busy courses and work. However, these charges can see you suspended or even expelled.
- Drug DUI. While recreational marijuana use was legalized in November 2020 in Arizona, you can still be arrested for driving under the influence if there is any traceable amount of THC in your system. You may also be arrested if any other controlled substances are found in your system while operating a vehicle, such as cocaine, heroin, morphine, methamphetamine, and hallucinogens like LSD.
- Aggravated DUI. In Arizona, there are several factors that, if present in your case, can increase even a first-time DUI charge to one of an aggravated nature. Aggravated DUIs tend to have stricter consequences, as well. Aggravating factors in a DUI case include if you were driving on a suspended or revoked license, if you had a court-ordered ignition interlock device installed in your vehicle, or if a minor under 15 was present.
- CDL DUI. If you hold a commercial driver’s license and were driving your truck or other commercial vehicle at the time of the arrest with a BAC at or above 0.04%, you can be charged with a DUI, and you may even have your CDL revoked. This can make it extremely difficult for you to maintain or seek new employment.
- Prescription drug DUI. It is illegal to be in physical control or operation of a vehicle while impaired by any kind of drug in Arizona, even if that drug has been lawfully prescribed by your doctor or other medical professional. Often, the medications typically involved in these cases include painkillers, anti-nausea drugs, antihistamines, or anti-diarrheal medications.
Whatever form your DUI charge takes in Scottsdale, it is crucial that you speak with an attorney as soon as possible. You have rights in a DUI case, no matter your alleged level of guilt, and at Davidson Criminal Defense & DUI Law Firm, we are ready to fight for these rights and protect them.
Penalties Involved in Arizona DUI Cases
Arizona places sixth in the nation when it comes to the number of deaths attributed to drinking and driving incidents. Drunk driving or drugged driving incidents are serious, but you still deserve legal representation, no matter what. The penalties that can be imposed in a DUI case in Scottsdale are severe and can have a massive and long-lasting impact on your future.
Instead of letting these penalties ruin your life, hiring a DUI lawyer can help you get your life back on track. At Davidson Criminal Defense & DUI Law Firm, we are here to defend you against the following DUI penalties in Scottsdale:
- First DUI offense. If this is your first DUI offense and there are no aggravating factors involved, you will likely spend no less than 10 days in jail and be fined no less than $1,250. You will likely also be required to undergo certain alcohol education or treatment, and your vehicle will be equipped with an Ignition Interlock Device. You may also be ordered to perform community service.
- Second and subsequent offenses. You may face a jail period of no less than 90 days and fines of no less than $3,000 if this is your second or subsequent DUI without any aggravating factors. You will also likely be required to install an IID, perform community service, and attend mandatory alcohol screenings, education programs, or treatment programs.
- First extreme DUI offense. If you have been charged with an extreme DUI, even for the first time, you will likely be jailed for no less than 30 consecutive days and fined no less than $2,500, without any chance for probation or a suspended sentence. You will also have an IID installed in your vehicle and be ordered to perform community service, along with certain alcohol screening, education, or treatment.
- Second and subsequent extreme DUI offenses. If this is a second or subsequent extreme DUI, you will face a jail period of 120 days, be fined no less than $3,250, and your driver’s license will be revoked for at least 12 months. You will be required to undergo alcohol treatment, education, and potential screening, your vehicle will have an IID installed, and you will be ordered to perform community service.
- Aggravated DUI offense. If you are charged with an aggravated DUI offense in Scottsdale, you will likely be sent to prison for no more than two years, your license will be revoked for at least one year, an IID will be installed, and you will be ordered to take part in community service. You will also likely be required to take part in mandatory alcohol education, treatment, or screening.
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Your Rights and How Davidson Criminal Defense & DUI Law Firm Can Defend Them
In a DUI case in Scottsdale, the team at Davidson Criminal Defense & DUI Law Firm is here for you. As soon as you are arrested, you have the right to remain silent and the right to ask for an attorney. When you choose us to act as your legal representation, there are several different strategies we may be able to use in your defense. These include:
- Challenging the legality of the initial stop that led to your arrest
- Questioning the accuracy and handling of any BAC test results
- Questioning the validity or accuracy of any field sobriety test results
- Working to suppress any evidence that may have been unlawfully obtained
Hire a DUI Lawyer by Contacting Davidson Criminal Defense & DUI Law Firm Today
Being arrested for a DUI is stressful, and the consequences that can arise only add to that stress. In these difficult times, the most important thing to remember is that being arrested for a DUI does not necessarily mean you are guilty. Having an aggressive and trusted DUI attorney on your side can lead to a successful case outcome, seeing you with reduced charges or even having your entire case dropped.
Whatever the circumstances are that led to your Scottsdale DUI arrest, you need to hire a DUI attorney today who can fight for your rights. Contact our offices today to learn more about how we may be able to help.
