Phoenix DUI Lawyers M-Z
- Weintraub &
Weintraub:
It is unlawful for a person to drive or be in actual physical control
of a vehicle 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.
- Wolf & Associates:
The Extreme DUI charge is the same as the DWI charge except it requires
the B.A.C. to be .15% or greater 'at the time of driving' (.18% prior
to April 4, 2001). The minimum punishment for a first offense Extreme
DUI is nine days more jail time than a regular DUI or DWI assuming
successful completion of substance abuse counseling.
- Jose Mendoza:
Do you face serious time for leaving the scene of an accident? Are you facing DUI or DWI charges and concerned that your rights have been violated by an overzealous arresting officer?
- Jamie Sparks:
If you or a loved one has been arrested for DUI, there are serious consequences to consider, including jail or prison time, the loss of driving privileges, and a criminal conviction on your record. An important step in protecting your legal rights is to retain the services of an experienced Arizona drunk driving defense attorney.
- Pajerski Law:
Checklist for Hiring A Criminal Defense Lawyer
• Are you certified by the Arizona Bar Association and the Arizona Supreme Court as a specialist in
criminal law?
• Does your law firm focus on criminal law exclusively?
• Have you handled at least a thousand or more criminal cases?
• Are you a member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers?
• Are you a member of the Arizona Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers?
• Are you a member of your local Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers?
• Do other lawyers call you when they have questions about criminal law?
• Have you ever led a defense team?
• Have you handled cases like mine in the past?
• Have you had trials in cases like mine in the past?
• Have you practiced law for more than ten years?
• Have you won any cases that have been reported in the Arizona Republic?
• Are you qualified to handle capital death penalty cases?
• Have you ever won any motions to dismiss?
• Have you ever won any motions to suppress?
• Have you ever won any judge trials?
• Have you ever won any jury trials?
- Thompson & Volquardsen:
Each Driving Under the Influence (DUI) has essentially two cases: A criminal court case and an MVD case. Both cases can have separate and related consequences, including, but not limited to, jail time, harsh monetary penalties, and driver's license implications.
That being said, no two DUI arrests are the same. Each case has its own unique set of circumstances and issues to be researched. The state must follow specific evidentiary guidelines when conducting a DUI investigation. Additionally, you have numerous constitutional rights that must be protected. Oftentimes, the difference between a good result and a bad result rests in one of the slightest details. Therefore, it is critical to have an attorney who understands all aspects of a DUI and will fight to protect your rights.
- Scott McWilliams:
If you have been arrested for or charged with a criminal offense, it is
important to retain a skilled trial attorney to protect your rights.
- Navidad, Leal & Silva:
Police/agents use questioning and your own statements to strengthen
their case against you. If you answer questions, police can
misinterpret your answers, add facts or outright make up facts you did
not say. Once in court, it is their word against yours. The best advice
is to remain silent and DO NOT speak with police/agents, without the
assistance of an attorney.
Many people try to be polite, helpful and may even believe police will
be easy on them if they tell the truth. Do not believe this!!! Police
will lie, make promises and use all sorts of techniques to get you to
talk. Police may ask questions that seen harmless. Your answers can
lead to a conviction based on your own admissions. If you admit
anything that gives them the ability to charge you with a crime, police
will file charges and try to convict you with your own words.
- Mueller Law Goup:
If you are charged with DUI or any
other alcohol-related offense, it is important to hire an experienced
criminal defense attorney who has handled many DUI cases in Arizona,
and who will guide you through the legal maze of the Arizona criminal
justice system and the Arizona Department of Transportation Motor
Vehicle Division. Persons convicted of DUI face:
- Significant jail time
- Substantial court fines
- Loss of driving privileges
- Increased insurance premiums and sometimes
- Loss of employment.
- Phil Noland:
Intoxication can be proven through the officer's observations of the
driving, the person's mannerisms and appearance, performance on field
sobriety tests, and statements made by the person. In addition to the
officer's observations of signs and symptoms of intoxication, the
prosecution can use test results indicating the alcohol concentration
in the person's system. If the alcohol concentration is 0.10 or
greater, the person is assumed to be under the influence.
- Phillips & Associates:
In Arizona, D.U.I. or D.W.I. is Driving While Under the Influence of Intoxicating Liquor or Drugs. The
charge, we call it D.U.I., requires the operation of a motor vehicle while your ability to drive is
impaired or while your blood or breath alcohol concentration exceeds the statutory limit. Driving
While Under the Influence can be called "D.U.I." or "D.W.I." and there is no difference between the
terms.
- Platt & Westby:
Drunk driving is a serious offense. Arizona drunk driving penalties for
a conviction of driving under the influence (DUI) depend upon the type
of DUI charge, your past driving history, whether you were involved in
an accident (with property or personal injuries), leaving the scene of
an accident, or refusing to take a blood alcohol test. DUI charges
range from misdemeanor first offenses to felony DUI if it is your third
DUI arrest in five years or you are convicted of drunk driving while
your license is suspended or restricted.
- Larry Ruch:
MISDEMEANORS:
First offense misdemeanor:
The penalties for a first conviction of DUI or DWI are: at least 10
days in jail - 9 days can be suspended only upon completion of
mandatory attendance at alcohol screening (approximately $85); any
recommended classes (approximately $200); and a minimum fine and
surcharge of approximately $1500. The maximum can be six (6) months
jail. Extreme
DWI - .15% BAC and above; mandatory minimum 30 days jail-only 20 can be
suspended; fines of about $2,500; one year of mandatory breath test
interlock device being attached to your steering wheel.
Second offense misdemeanor:
A conviction for a second DUI or DWI within five (5) years from the
first conviction, the penalties are: at least 90 days in jail-60 days
can be suspended only upon completion of the mandatory alcohol
screening classes outlined above; a minimum fine and surcharge of
approximately $2500; and the Motor Vehicle Department (MVD) will revoke
driving privileges for at least one (1) year. The maximum can be six
(6) months jail.
Extreme DUI:
A
conviction of Extreme DUI with a blood alcohol of .150 or higher
carries a sentence of thirty (30) days to six (6) months in jail. The
judge can suspend 20 days of jail leaving a minimum of 10 days. The
fine is approximately $2500.00, plus mandatory alcohol classes; and you
must install an interlock device on your car for one year.
- Matthew Schwartzstein:
Choosing the right lawyer is crucial in today's litigious society.
- Howard Snader: In Arizona, a DUI may occur in several
different ways and may be prosecuted as a misdemeanor or a felony. But
under Arizona law, any DUI conviction requires jail or prison and the
loss of your driver's license. It is critically important to hire an
attorney who has the experience to get you a good result.
For example, if you are stopped by police, it is generally not a good
idea to take a field sobriety test. Although there is no requirement to
submit to a field sobriety test, officers are not required to tell you
that.
However, if an officer has a reasonable basis to suspect drugs or
alcohol in your body, the officer has the legal right to require you to
take a blood or urine test. If the test shows you have a blood alcohol
concentration (BAC) over 0.08, your license will be suspended for 90
days, although you may be eligible for a restricted license for work
purposes after the first 30 days of no driving. If you refuse the test,
you may be subjected to a blood draw based on a search warrant. And, if
you refuse to any reasonable request by the officer for a blood or
breath test, your license will be suspended for one year.
In Arizona, you have committed a misdemeanor DUI if you are driving a
motor vehicle when your ability to drive is impaired in any way by
alcohol, drugs, or a combination of any substance. It is also a
misdemeanor if, within two hours of driving, you have a BAC over 0.08.
A DUI with a BAC of more than 0.15 is prosecuted as an Extreme DUI with
more severe punishment.
In addition, there are three basic types of Aggravated DUI, which are
considered felonies. A misdemeanor DUI can rise to the felony level if
you are caught committing a normal misdemeanor DUI when you have two or
more prior convictions in the past 5 years; committing a normal
misdemeanor DUI when you are driving on a suspended, canceled, revoked,
or refused license; or committing a normal misdemeanor DUI when there
is a child under 15 years of age is in the car.
If you are involved in an alcohol related accident involving a serious
injury or death, it is often NOT prosecuted as a DUI, but rather as an
Aggravated Assault. In such a case the minimum, mandatory penalty is 5
years in prison.
- Leyh Billar Sternberg: The first thing you should do is to
contact an experienced criminal attorney who can explain the law to
you. An attorney may be necessary to assist you in determining your
options and establishing a defense.
- Scott David Stewart:
The state of Arizona has enacted tough legislation to deal with drunk
driving. Virtually every kind of DUI / DWI charge involves potential
jail time, heavy fines, alcohol counseling, and suspension of your
driver’s license. The circumstances of your DUI and how it is handled
by your attorney play a significant role in determining whether you
receive the minimum or maximum penalty possible, as well as whether the
charges against you are reduced or dismissed.
First Time Extreme DUI Offenders
Even if this is your first DUI, you face mandatory jail time, alcohol
counseling as well as over a thousand dollars in fines and charges.
Additionally, depending on the specifics of your case, you may be
required to install an ignition interlock device on your car. This
device is costly and requires you to blow into it before starting your
car. If it detects alcohol on your breath, your car will not start and
your car horn will sound.
Second Time Extreme DUI Offenders
If you have already been convicted once for DUI or extreme DUI, you
face serious consequences that demand legal representation. If
convicted a second time, you face up to 180 days in jail, as well as
thousands of dollars in fees and charges. Your license will be revoked
for 1 year and an ignition interlock device will be required upon
resumption of your driving privileges.
Avoiding Complications
There’s no easy way out of an extreme DUI charge. The consequences can
be expensive and serious. Not only will your driving record, insurance
premiums, and criminal record be affected, but you could lose your job
if sent to jail for an extended period of time. As DUI defense
attorneys with years of experience and knowledge of the criminal court
system, we understand how to negotiate with the court and prepare a
solid defense of our clients. While we cannot promise that the charges
against you will be reduced or dismissed, we will take advantage of
every opportunity to achieve the best results for you.
- Loyd Tate: In
today's legal environment, matching your needs with the correct firm is
crucial to the successful outcome of your legal matters. Like so many
other areas, in law, the pace of change can be overwhelming.
- John Tatz:
When selecting an attorney to represent you for defense of a DUI or other criminal charge, a few things are very important. A lawyer should promptly respond to your questions, update you on your case in a timely manner, and provide you professional representation.
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