Scottsdale Felony DUI Lawyer

Scottsdale Felony DUI Attorney

If you get convicted of drunk driving or a felony DUI, it will become part of your permanent record. A felony and its consequences could result in the loss of your job, loss of certain rights such as the right to bear arms and to vote, and a harder time finding housing.

A felony DUI/DWI charge could also affect your abilities to legally drive for one year, multiple years, or for life. Do not attempt to represent yourself during a felony DUI trial. Instead, trust an experienced Scottsdale felony DUI lawyer at the Hallam Law Group to aggressively litigate your case.

Our Scottsdale defense lawyers have years of experience handling even the most complex and serious felony DUI cases in Scottsdale, Arizona. Our DUI defense attorneys can help you learn your rights and create a strong legal defense to minimize or eliminate the charges against you. Call us today to discuss your DUI case during a free legal consultation.

Why Hire a Scottsdale DUI Attorney

Have you been charged with a crime? If you are facing a DUI/DWI charge in Maricopa County, AZ, you may feel overwhelmed, scared, and anxious. It’s difficult to decide what to do in these situations, especially if you’re unsure what your rights are and what possible defenses you have.

Our Scottsdale DUI attorneys at the Hallam Law Group are here to help. We will guide you through the complicated DUI litigation process, so you can have peace of mind and adequate time to prepare for your court date. We will listen to your side of the story with compassion and understanding. We will gather testimony from witnesses and collect evidence to build a strong defense.

A Scottsdale criminal defense lawyer will investigate all possible pathways for your defense, including:

• Determining if the arresting officer had reasonable suspicion to order your traffic stop.
• Investigating if there was probable cause for your arrest.
• Examining if the arresting officers followed proper procedure and the officers did not deny you any of your rights, including your right to legal counsel.
• Investigating if you were in control of your vehicle during the drunk driving incident.
• Determining if there were any inaccuracies in the breathalyzer or blood test’s calculation of your BAC.

How Can a Scottsdale DUI Defense Lawyer Help?

A felony DUI attorney in Scottsdale will first work to convince the courts to completely drop the charges against you. This might be possible if the arresting officer did not have probable cause to make the traffic stop, if he/she broke any of your rights during arrest or interrogation, if the results of a chemical BAC test are unreliable for any reason, or if you were actually innocent of the offense. A Scottsdale DUI lawyer could even argue against the conviction for a mental illness such as an alcohol or drug addiction that contributed to the DUI.

WHAT TO EXPECT IN A SCOTTSDALE DUI CASE

For your case, our team of Scottsdale DUI attorneys may also aim to reduce the charges against you to a lesser offense, thus minimizing the penalties you face. A defense attorney can use police video footage, test results, your past medical history, and our in-depth knowledge of the law to create the strongest possible legal defense. Investigating the case and trying for inadmissible pieces of evidence can help improve your odds of a successful defense strategy. Let us represent you during your Scottsdale DUI case – call (602) 237-5373 for your free case review today.

What is a Misdemeanor DUI or Extreme DUI in Scottsdale?

Driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs is against the law in Arizona, as it is in all 50 states. In Arizona, drivers will receive DUI charges if they are 21 years or older and have blood alcohol content (BAC) levels at 0.08% or higher. The maximum BAC limit drops to 0.04% for commercial drivers and any detectable amount for drivers under the age of 21.

The state of Arizona punishes drivers guilty of DUI or DWI harshly. Conviction of a misdemeanor DUI under Section 28-1381 or extreme DUI under Section 28-1382 of the Arizona Revised Statutes can result in:

• Jail time from 10 to 120 days
• Fines of up to $3,250
• Required alcohol education course
• A required ignition interlock device
• Community service hours
• You might receive a driver’s license revocation.

What is a Felony DUI in Arizona?

In Arizona, conviction of a felony DUI, however, comes with much harsher consequences.

Under Arizona law Section 28-1383, a driver commits a felony DUI (or aggravated DUI) if he or she:

• Is guilty of DUI/DWI on a suspended, revoked, canceled, or restricted license
• Commits three or more DUI offenses within 84 months
• Is guilty of drunk driving while a child under the age of 15 is in the vehicle
• Drives under the influence while using a court-ordered ignition interlock device

Committing aggravated DUI is a Class 4 felony in Arizona, except for DUI with a child in the vehicle, which is a Class 6 felony.

An aggravated or felony DUI conviction generally results in:

• A two-year prison sentence
• Driver’s license revocation for 12 months
• Mandatory alcohol or drug treatment and education
• Required ignition interlock device on every vehicle you operate
• Community service. Note that your penalties could be worse if you have a particularly high BAC, a prior DUI record (both a DUI for alcohol or drug offense), or if you caused injuries or death while driving under the influence.

What are the Consequences of a Felony DUI?

Our defense attorneys understand that a Scottsdale DUI charges can impact your ability to operate a motor vehicle, to gain employment, your insurance rates, and your right to freedom. Standard, extreme, and aggravated DUIs have different punishments based on the circumstances of the incident and the number of previous offenses.

In Maricopa County, A first-time offense of a standard DUI is punishable by up to 10 days in jail, a fine of up to $1,250, a loss of driving privileges, and/or community service or rehabilitation. A second or third standard DUI offense is punishable by:

• At least 90 days in prison
• Ignition interlock
• A fine up to $3,000
• Driver’s license revocation for up to a year
• Completion of community service, a rehabilitation program, or both

Penalties for extreme DUIs are more severe. A first-time extreme DUI is punishable by 30 days in jail, a fine of at least $2,500, driver’s license revocation, and/or the completion of community service and a rehab program. A second-time or subsequent extreme DUI offense is punishable by:

• Minimum 120 days in prison
• Ignition interlock
• A minimum fine of $3,250
• Driver’s license revocation
• Completion of community service and, a rehabilitation program, or both

As the most severe DUI offense, any aggravated DUI charge is punishable by:

• 2 years of prison time
• Ignition interlock
• 1 year of driver’s license revocation
• Community service
• Completion of a drug and alcohol rehabilitation program

To learn more about this, speak to a Scottsdale DUI charges attorney today.

How Having a DUI Conviction Affects Your Life

A DUI or DWI charge on your record affects more than just your driving privileges. If you work with children as a teacher, work as a health care professional, or have a job that requires you to receive security clearances, you may lose your job because of a criminal charge. If you are a truck driver or a delivery person, you may lose your job as well.

With a DUI conviction, your car insurance rates will increase, and you will need an ignition interlock device on every car you drive. The Department of Motor Vehicles may suspend your license for up to a year, leaving you without a means of transportation.

If you are a college or university student, you may face additional consequences from your school. You could lose an athletic or academic scholarship. Your school may require you to complete additional community service hours or rehabilitation programs. You might become ineligible for certain federal loan programs or other means of financial aid because of your criminal record.

Felony DUI Defense Representation in Scottsdale

Let a Scottsdale DUI attorney help represent you during your criminal case. Contact Hallam Law Group today for a free case evaluation. Let us help you with your DUI case.