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If you are arrested in or near Mesa, Arizona as a result of allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol, don’t panic. Remain calm, do not admit guilt and say as little as possible to the police officer. Once you understand the flow of your DUI case, you will have the information and confidence necessary to combat the charge with the assistance of a Mesa DUI attorney. Here is a quick look at how your DUI case in Mesa will progress after your arrest.
Your driver’s license will likely be suspended after you are arrested for DUI in Mesa. Unfortunately, there is the potential for your driver’s license to be suspended for a period of three months or even an entire year following a DUI arrest in Mesa. However, this is not the only potential consequence of DUI. The assistance of an experienced DUI defense attorney in Mesa will help you prevent additional penalties such as fines and jail time.
If you request a hearing through the Executive Hearing Office in the 15-day window of time after your arrest in Mesa and the suspension of your driver’s license suspension will be put on hold. The MVD hearing provides an opportunity to counter the accusation of driving under the influence of alcohol. If your challenge is successful, your driver’s license might not be suspended for a full 12 months or possibly not suspended at all. Let your Mesa DUI defense attorney advocate on your behalf at the MVD Hearing and the chances of retaining your driver’s license will be that much better.
A court appearance will be necessary after the MVD hearing. You are expected to attend your court hearing even though your attorney will verbally advocate on your behalf. The initial court date is an arraignment in which you are advised of the DUI charge. This is your opportunity to enter your not guilty plea. The case then proceeds to pretrial conference in which the court checks to ensure disclosures are made in accordance with criminal procedure rules. The State of Arizona might float out a plea offer during the plea trial conference. If the case is not resolved with this offer, it will be scheduled for a case management conference where a Trial Readiness Conference is put on the docket. At this point, the state’s plea offer will likely expire.
If the case is not resolved during the Trial Readiness Conference, there is the potential for evidentiary hearings to occur in which evidence from both sides is presented including witness testimony, the results of your breath test, blood test results, the arresting officer’s police report, etc. A jury trial follows in which a panel of your Mesa peers will determine if you are guilty or not guilty of DUI.
If you or a loved one has recently been arrested for a DUI in Mesa, AZ we want you to know that we are here to help. We understand how stressful being arrested for a DUI can be, and our Mesa DUI attorneys are ready, willing, and able to defend you or your loved one against this criminal DUI charge. Call our offices now to speak directly with a DUI Law Specialist who can assist you immediately. Our lines are open 24-hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week. All initial consultations are confidential and free – (480) 248-7666.