If you have been pulled over and arrested for drunk driving in Arizona, you need to secure assistance from a qualified attorney as soon as possible. At The Law Offices of John Phebus, our Surprise DUI attorneys are ready to get to work on your case immediately, beginning with a hearing with the DMV to delay or prevent your driver’s license suspension. By hiring a DUI defense lawyer right away, you are protecting yourself from saying or doing anything that could incriminate you.
Being charged with DUI is scary, but having a skilled Surprise criminal defense attorney by your side can help alleviate some of the pressure. The Law Offices of John Phebus are here for you.
Contact our office by filling our online form or call us at (623) 400-5675 to start working on your case.
It is illegal to drive impaired by alcohol or other substances in Arizona. Under A.R.S. 28-1381, driving or being in actual physical control of a vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor, drug or vapor-releasing substance is against the law. In Arizona, there are various ways that a person can face DUI charges:
Note that an individual does not necessarily have to be driving to get a DUI in Surprise. Being in actual physical control of a motor vehicle while impaired – even if it is parked with the engine shut off – is enough to potentially lead to a DUI arrest.
If you are convicted of driving under the influence in Surprise, you could be facing major penalties. A DUI sentence can vary according to the level of the charge, whether or not this is the defendant’s first DUI, and if the DUI involved a car accident. Potential DUI penalties for a first-time offender can include:
Second and subsequent offenses for any DUI charges will lead to enhanced penalties. An experienced Surprise DUI lawyer can help you build a solid defense case and may even be able to have the charges dismissed or reduced. If this is not possible, your lawyer can still negotiate a plea deal to minimize your sentence.
If you refuse to take a blood, urine or breath alcohol test, your driver’s license will automatically be suspended for one year. If you agree to the testing, your license will be suspended for 90 days. This occurs even if you are not convicted of a DUI crime. If you are convicted, your license may be suspended or revoked for an additional amount of time, depending on the charge. With help from an attorney, you could qualify for a restricted license to continue driving to work or school. However, you have to act quickly, as you have a short time limit to request this hearing.
Your car may be impounded for a DUI in Arizona if you were under the age of 21, driving on a suspended license, or arrested for an extreme or aggravated DUI. The impoundment can last up to 30 days, although you may be able to pick your vehicle up sooner with assistance from an attorney. You can request a hearing to ask for immediate release in qualifying circumstances. You will need to pay an administrative fee and a daily charge of $15 to retrieve your vehicle.
Yes. With the right attorney, you can defend against a DUI charge in Surprise with a smart and aggressive legal strategy. Your lawyer will personalize your defense based on your circumstances to fight for the best possible case results. This can include arguing the following:
Your lawyer will seek every opportunity to challenge the prosecutor’s evidence against you and poke holes in their case. This may include filing motions to suppress evidence, negotiating a favorable plea deal with the prosecution, or establishing to a jury that the prosecutor does not have a strong enough case to result in a conviction at trial.
There are various ways in which an attorney can formulate a winning defense strategy for your DUI case. Your lawyer will analyze the case against you, investigate how you were treated by the police and take your criminal history into account to craft a strong defense strategy on your behalf. Your lawyer will do what it takes to reduce the charges and penalties you could be facing, even for a first-time DUI. The earlier your Surprise DUI defense attorney gets involved in a case, the quicker they can begin obtaining all evidence necessary to properly defend you in court.
If you or somebody you care about is facing a DUI charge in Arizona, you need to seek assistance from a skilled attorney as soon as possible. At The Law Offices of John Phebus, our qualified DUI attorneys have vast experience handling these offenses for clients. We will investigate every aspect of your case in order to formulate the best possible defense strategy. When you need a Surprise DUI defense lawyer, you can contact us online for a free consultation or call us at (623) 847-7117.