When you’ve had one too many, you can make bad decisions. Deciding to drive drunk or even slightly intoxicated is a bad decision; as it puts you and the lives of everyone around you in danger. It can also end with you facing DUI charges.Getting accused of a DUI in Arizona is a serious criminal offense that requires an experienced Phoenix DUI lawyer. In case you are driving drunk and get pulled over, our legal team at Lerner & Rowe Law Group put together an overview of what may happen next:
1. Questions
If you are pulled over for driving under the influence (DUI in Arizona), the police officer will ask to see your drivers license and registration. If the police officer has reason to believe that you are intoxicated, he will ask you a series of questions like, “Where are you headed to?”, “Where are you coming from?” and most importantly, “Have you had anything to drink?” All of these questions help the police officer decide whether to ask you to do any field sobriety tests. It is also a way to see if you will say anything self-incriminating. None of these questions have to be answered. It is always best to be polite and give the officer your drivers license and proof of insurance. After that, you state that you do not wish to answer any other questions without talking to an attorney first.
2. Testing for a DUI in Arizona
If the officer feels it is necessary, he/she will ask you to perform a field sobriety test; or blow into a hand-held breathalyzer. Arizona law does NOT require that you participate in any field sobriety tests (including the HGN, or “eye” test) or blow into the handheld breathalyzer. However, Arizona law requires following an arrest for DUI, you participate in either a blood or breath test. Any breath test required by law will be conducted in either the DUI van or the police station and will be conducted with a large intoxilyzer, not with a handheld device. If you perform any field sobriety tests and the officer believes you did not pass, you will be arrested for DUI, handcuffed and taken to either a police station or a DUI van. If you politely refuse to take any field sobriety tests, the officer is also likely to arrest you for DUI, handcuff you and take you to a police station or DUI van. Once you are handcuffed and taken to the station, your car will be towed and impounded.
3. At the Station
Once you get to the station, you either take a blood test or a breath test with an intoxilyzer. The police could hold you until you no longer remain under the influence; and you do not show any physical signs of intoxication. Whether or not they do so is discretionary. However, in most cases you will be released after being processed.
4. After Being Released
After your information has been processed and you are released, you receive paperwork regarding your citation. Later you will be mailed more paperwork including court date. Lerner & Rowe Law Group recommends contacting a DUI attorney as soon as you can. Lerner & Rowe will fight for you and help you get through your DUI case. If you are accused of a DUI in Arizona, contact us for a FREE case consultation at 602-667-7777.