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Arizona has some of the country’s strictest drunk driving laws. Even if it does not result in a car accident, being charged with driving under the influence (DUI) of drugs or alcohol is a serious matter that can have short and long-term consequences for you.
A conviction can cost you money, put you in a county jail or an Arizona state penitentiary, and tarnish your reputation long after the fact.
Whether you are facing a first-offense DUI charge in Chandler Municipal Court, a felony charge in Maricopa County Superior Court, or a repeat DUI arrest, talk to an experienced Chandler DUI defense lawyer at the Rosenstein Law Group by calling (480) 248-7666 to learn in a free consultation how we can protect you.
There are many law firms in Arizona that represent DUI defendants in criminal cases. Not all are the same. Here are some of the differences that make the Rosenstein Law Group a cut above the rest:
Once you have been charged with driving while drunk or driving while under the influence of drugs, a DUI prosecutor will most likely make an attempt to convict you. You will need an experienced Chandler DUI attorney on your side to make sure your rights are protected throughout the process of pretrial investigation, plea negotiation, or trial defense.
An effective local DUI defense attorney in Chandler, AZ, can make a difference for you in the following ways:
Hiring an experienced criminal defense lawyer for your Chandler DUI arrest is critical for your future. Rosenstein Law Group has successfully defended numerous jury trials for our clients, including many successful case acquittals in Chandler DUI cases.
We understand how Arizona’s DUI laws and criminal law justice system work—and how to defend our clients against criminal charges. When your future is on the line, come to us for aggressive defense tactics and quality legal services.
Arizona law defines the crime of driving under the influence as driving or being in actual physical control of a vehicle while under the influence of an intoxicating liquor or drug.
The elements that the prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt to secure a DUI conviction are:
With a BAC at or above the legal limit, you are automatically presumed to be intoxicated and will be arrested. You can also be arrested for an alleged DUI if the officer believes you are impaired.
A DUI can also refer to impairment by a drug, including prescription medications.
If you are arrested for an alleged DUI offense, the court will determine the exact charges to enter based on the information provided by the police. You will hear these charges during your arraignment or the pretrial hearing.
The charges are based on the arrest circumstances and the evidence collected against you. There are four levels of DUI charges under Arizona law, each with different consequences depending on the severity of the offense:
The class of felony charged for an aggravated DUI in Arizona depends on the nature of the aggravating circumstances. The more severe the alleged crime, the worse the charges and penalties are upon conviction. If a drunk driver causes serious bodily injuries or death, for example, he or she will most likely face a higher-class felony charge.
Drinking alcohol and driving is not the only action that could lead to a DUI arrest in Chandler. Arizona DUI laws also make it illegal to drive under the intoxicating influence of any drug, including some prescription medications and medical marijuana.
A drug DUI in Arizona can result in the same penalties as an alcohol-related DUI. The minimum penalty is 10 days in jail, but nine of them may be suspended by completing a drug screening.
You can also be subjected to mandatory drug treatment as part of your sentence.
It does not matter if you have a valid prescription for the intoxicating drug. If the drug or medication has any effects that impair your ability to drive or control a motor vehicle safely, then you could be convicted of a DUI in Chandler.
It is also against the law to drive under the influence of marijuana, even if consumption of the drug is permitted under Arizona’s medical or recreational marijuana laws.
If you are caught in possession of drugs or drug paraphernalia in your vehicle, you may also face additional criminal charges for other drug crimes, such as drug trafficking.
It is normal to feel frightened or overwhelmed when you are being arrested for an Arizona DUI. It is important to remain calm and remember that there are certain things you should do to immediately protect your rights.
Once you’ve contacted our experienced DUI lawyers, we can take care of the rest of the steps to take for you. For example, we can help you get out of jail while you wait for your arraignment hearing, as well as develop a defense strategy to achieve the best possible DUI case results on your behalf.
Being convicted of a DUI in Chandler can negatively affect your life and future. This includes not only legal consequences and penalties, such as a criminal sentence, but also implications for your personal and professional life.
Being convicted of a felony DUI, for example, can permanently take away certain constitutional rights, such as your right to vote and bear arms. You may face more severe consequences if this is not your first DUI offense.
The penalties listed for different DUI charges under Arizona law include:
Other penalties include community service, restitution to victims, and mandatory traffic school and/or drug and alcohol counseling.
It is important not to underestimate the impact that a DUI conviction can have on your life. It can interfere with your freedom, education, scholarships, driving privilege, career, ability to obtain employment, parental rights, personal relationships with others, financial situation, and more. Protect yourself by retaining an experienced DUI defense lawyer in Chandler.
There are many ways to fight a DUI charge. Your lawyer may be able to have evidence against you thrown out, for example, such as evidence from an inaccurate breath test or evidence collected illegally. This could lead to case dismissal due to insufficient evidence or establish reasonable doubt.
Other defense strategies an experienced Chandler DUI lawyer might employ include:
If it isn’t possible to secure a case dismissal with your defense strategy, your criminal defense attorney can work to reduce the charges against you and the penalties that you face instead.
You can trust your attorney to negotiate a fair plea deal with the prosecution based on the circumstances of your case and your criminal history. Our lawyers use proven and aggressive DUI defense tactics to protect our clients as much as possible.
Hiring the best lawyer to take on your Chandler DUI defense case requires due diligence on your part. Schedule more than one free case consultation with top defense lawyers in your city.
During your initial consultations with the lawyer, ask a few key questions to find out if he or she has the experience and ability to handle your DUI case.
The traits that you should be looking for in an experienced DUI attorney include:
Overall, you should feel good about the lawyer that you choose to represent you. Your future is at stake when facing Arizona DUI charges. You should be confident in your lawyer’s ability to understand your charges and argue against them with strong, personalized defense strategies.
Your lawyer should have the resources to hire experts, the ability to negotiate a plea agreement, and the storytelling powers to make a persuasive case in your defense.
Although rates can vary widely by lawyer and law firm, a DUI defense lawyer in Chandler, Arizona typically charges between $350 and $600 per hour.
Some criminal defense lawyers charge a flat rate rather than an hourly rate depending on the circumstances. If the case has to go to trial, expect higher legal fees, as the case will require more work from the attorney. You may or may not have to pay a retainer fee upfront to initiate the case.
The amount that your lawyer costs will depend on the attorney and your specific case, including how long the case will take to resolve. However, the price of hiring an experienced DUI lawyer is well worth what you will get in return as a defendant – an exceptional advocate fighting for your rights and protecting you from the worst possible penalties associated with your charges.
Paying for a DUI defense lawyer can save you thousands in fines, fees, penalties, and other significant consequences related to being convicted of DUI.
Talk to a Chandler DUI lawyer at the Rosenstein Law Group about your drunk driving arrest and legal issues that may be part of your case. Our Chandler DUI lawyers have the experience to handle your case in the Chandler court system.
We will guide you through the process and fight to build you a solid defense against your charges. We can discuss all issues that may arise in your case, including:
In addition to DUI defense, our Chandler DUI defense attorneys defend drivers who have received criminal traffic violations. Rosenstein Law Group also helps people charged with drug possession or drug paraphernalia possession.
If you have been arrested for DUI in Arizona, each day that passes reduces the opportunities to fight back and limit the consequences. Contact Rosenstein Law Group today to speak with a skilled Chandler DUI lawyer at our law firm day or night for a free initial consultation.
Our criminal and DUI lawyers provide aggressive legal representation in criminal and DUI defense cases in Chandler and throughout Arizona from our other offices in Scottsdale, Phoenix, Mesa, and Gilbert.