A DUI arrest can turn your life upside down fast. One traffic stop, one night — and suddenly you’re staring down the possibility of jail time, a suspended license, and thousands of dollars in fines. It’s a lot to process. But you don’t have to navigate it alone. The Scottsdale DUI attorneys at Lerner and Rowe Law Group are here with this guide to help you understand exactly what you’re facing with a Scottsdale DUI — and what we can do about it.
What Happens after a DUI Arrest in Scottsdale?
Arizona has some of the toughest DUI laws in the country, and Scottsdale law enforcement takes them seriously. Once you’re arrested, the clock starts ticking. You have a limited window to request a hearing to contest your driver’s license suspension — and that’s just the beginning of the process.
In the meantime, it’s important to remember one thing above all else: you have rights. And how you exercise them in the hours and days after an arrest can have a real impact on the outcome of your case.
Your Rights During a DUI Stop in Scottsdale
If you’re pulled over and an officer suspects you’ve been drinking or using drugs, knowing your rights can make a meaningful difference. Here’s what our Scottsdale DUI lawyers recommend:
- Provide the basics — and stop there. You’re required to give the officer your name, address, driver’s license, and registration. Beyond that, you have the right to remain silent. Use it.
- Invoke your Fifth Amendment rights. Anything you say can and will be used against you. Politely decline to answer questions about where you’ve been, what you’ve had to drink, or what you were doing before the stop.
- You can decline field sobriety tests. An officer may ask you to follow a pen with your eyes, walk in a straight line, or blow into a portable breathalyzer. Though the officer may imply otherwise, Arizona law does not require you to comply. These field sobriety tests are often used to build the case against you.
- Ask for an attorney immediately. The moment you’re placed under arrest, ask to speak with a lawyer. Do not wait.
Possible Penalties for a Scottsdale DUI Conviction
Understanding the potential consequences is important — not to scare you, but to help you see what’s at stake and why having a qualified DUI attorney in your corner matters.
Standard First-Offense DUI
A first DUI conviction in Arizona carries serious consequences, including:
- A minimum of 10 days in jail (up to 6 months)
- A 90-day suspension of your driving privileges
- Court fines and fees totaling $2,000 or more
- Mandatory alcohol screening and drug or alcohol classes
- Installation of an ignition interlock device for up to one year
- A possible SR-22 insurance requirement
Extreme DUI (BAC of 0.15% or Higher)
If your blood alcohol concentration was at or above 0.15%, you may be charged with an “Extreme DUI,” which carries steeper penalties:
- A minimum of 30 days in jail (up to 6 months)
- A 90-day suspension of driving privileges
- Court fines and fees of $2,500 or more
- Substance abuse counseling and community service
- Ignition interlock device installation for at least 12 months
- A possible SR-22 insurance requirement
Super Extreme DUI (BAC of 0.20% or Higher)
At a BAC of 0.20% or above, Arizona law classifies the offense as a “Super Extreme DUI”:
- A minimum of 45 days in jail (up to 6 months)
- A 90-day suspension of driving privileges
- Court fines and fees of $3,000 or more
- Substance abuse counseling and community service
- Ignition interlock device installation for at least 12 months
- A possible SR-22 insurance requirement
These aren’t just inconveniences — a DUI conviction in Arizona can affect your job, your professional licenses, your insurance rates, and your record for years to come. That’s why fighting the charges from day one matters.
How a Scottsdale DUI Attorney Can Challenge Your Case
A DUI charge doesn’t automatically become a conviction. There are many angles a skilled DUI defense attorney can explore to challenge the case against you — and in some instances, get charges reduced or dismissed entirely.
Questioning the Legality of the Traffic Stop
Before anything else, our Scottsdale DUI attorneys examine whether the officer had a valid legal reason to pull you over in the first place. Under the Fourth Amendment, a stop must be based on reasonable suspicion that a traffic violation or crime occurred. If it wasn’t, we can file a motion to suppress evidence gathered during the stop.
Challenging Field Sobriety and Breathalyzer Tests
Field sobriety tests are far from foolproof. Fatigue, medical conditions, uneven road surfaces, and even nerves can all affect performance. Portable breathalyzers can also produce unreliable results if not properly calibrated or administered.
Scrutinizing Blood Draw Procedures
If a blood draw was part of your arrest, we’ll look closely at how it was conducted. An improper or illegal blood draw—or contaminated, mishandled samples—can call the reliability of the results into question.
Exploring Violations of Your Rights
If law enforcement violated your Miranda rights, denied you access to an attorney, or failed to follow proper procedure, those missteps can have a direct impact on your case.
Additional DUI Defenses We May Explore
Depending on the facts of your case, our team may also argue:
- There was no probable cause for the arrest
- You weren’t in actual physical control of the vehicle
- Police reports were incomplete, misleading, or contained errors
Every DUI case is different. That’s why we take the time to review every detail — not just the arrest report.
Why Choose Lerner and Rowe for Your Scottsdale DUI Defense?
Our Scottsdale DUI lawyers bring real skill and experience to every case we take on. We understand what’s at stake, and we treat every client with the care and honesty they deserve. Our team will assess every aspect of your case — from the initial traffic stop to the scientific evidence — and fight to get you the best possible outcome.
We’ve achieved positive results for our clients in the past, and our criminal defense attorneys are ready to apply that same relentless focus to your case.
Talk to an Attorney from Lerner and Rowe Law Group Today
If you’ve been arrested for a DUI in Scottsdale, don’t wait. The decisions you make now can shape what happens next. We’re available 24/7 to answer your questions, review your situation, and walk you through your options—with no pressure and no judgment.
Call Lerner and Rowe Law Group at (602) 977-1900, fill out our online contact form, or use LiveChat to get in touch. Let’s talk about what we can do for you.
The information on this blog is for general information purposes only. Nothing herein should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.