Skilled & AggressiveCriminal Defense
DUI – Drugs
Skilled and Aggressive Arizona DUI Defense
If you have been charged with DUI on suspicion of being under the influence of drugs, you need to speak with a Drug DUI lawyer immediately so you are advised of your rights and can take the steps necessary to build your best legal defense.
Arizona DUI – Drugs A.R.S. § 28-1381
Arizona Drug DUI / Prescription Drug DUI / DUI Metabolites
Arizona has a zero tolerance policy when it comes to policing alleged violations of driving under the influence. This means that a person can be found guilty of DUI if they are proved to be under the influence of an intoxicating substance to the slightest degree within two hours of operating a motor vehicle.
Illicit (illegal) drug use and prescription drug use combined with operating a motor vehicle can result in drug DUI charges (A.R.S. § 28-1381 and A.R.S. § 28-1383) if the person is suspected to be impaired to the slightest degree. It does not matter how much of the drug is in the person’s body, only whether the presence of prescription drugs, controlled substances, or its metabolite is detected in the person’s blood breath or urine.
Common controlled substances include:
- Heroin,
- Methamphetamine,
- Antidepressants,
- Marijuana or Medical Marijuana,
- Hydrocodone,
- Ecstasy,
- Benzodiazepines,
- Percocet or OxyContin,
- Cocaine, and
- Xanax.
During a DUI stop, a police officer will visually observe the person’s physical cues, symptoms, and behavior for signs of impairment. If the officer suspects the person is under the influence of drugs and an arrest is made, a chemical test will be ordered in order to test the person’s blood for the presence of drugs.
A drug DUI is charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony. Additionally, the State can add charges for illicit drug use and possession of drugs or paraphernalia.
There is a lot at stake when faced with charges of drug DUI such as loss of your driving privileges, incarceration, and heavy fines and penalties. Our aggressive Phoenix DUI attorney at Civil Rights Restored is prepared to aggressively defend your case!
Aggressive Drug DUI Defense
Hiring a Lawyer to Fight Drug DUI Charges
A conviction for DUI Drugs will easily run into the thousands of dollars in court fines, fees, and surcharges and other mandatory costs. Additionally, a conviction is permanent and searchable on criminal background checks and can cause a person to lose their job.
Potential Consequences of a DUI Drug Conviction:
- Mandatory minimum 10-days in jail, of which at least 1-day must be served. The remaining 9-days may be suspended by the judge on discretion under the condition that alcohol or drug screening program(s) is completed;
- Court ordered fines, fees, and surcharges exceeding $1480;
- Minimum 90-day driver’s license suspension;
- Attend Traffic Survival School;
- Attend alcohol treatment classes;
- Probation;
- Possible community service;
- Possible SR-22 required proof of high risk insurance.
Fortunately, at Civil Rights Restored, our aggressive Phoenix drug dui lawyer has many strategies for defending Drug DUI charges. We will look for the issues in your case and fight to mitigate the damage such as getting the charges reduced, the case dismissed altogether, or acquitted at trial.
For example, it is an affirmative defense to one of the DUI charges if the person has a valid prescription for medication and they are taking it as prescribed. A valid prescription is a defense to the A.R.S. 28-1381(A)(3) charge. See below for additional examples of defenses for DUI in Arizona.
A skilled and experienced Phoenix criminal defense lawyer skilled at defending DUI charges at Civil Rights Restored is what you need on your side to fight these serious charges.
Call now for a free consultation with a Phoenix DUI Lawyer and build your legal strategy today!
Potential Defenses to DUI Charges in Arizona
Click HERE to find out about some potential defenses to DUI charges in Arizona.
This is not an exhaustive list and is for informational purposes only. Every person’s case is different, so it is important to speak to a Phoenix DUI Attorney skilled at aggressive DUI defense at Civil Rights Restored.