Phoenix DUI Lawyer
When Your Future Is on the Line, Turn to MayesTelles
A DUI charge can have serious consequences and has the potential to impact many aspects of your life, like your driving rights. It can also mean jail time, community service, and collateral consequences for your job.
If you were arrested for drunk driving in the Phoenix area, you need to take immediate action. At MayesTelles, we understand the urgency of getting legal help after a DUI arrest. We bring nearly 200 years of collective experience to the table and have handled thousands of criminal cases.
Most importantly, our DUI attorneys in Phoenix take the time to get to know our clients. If we take on your case, we will learn all we can about your situation.
The following advantages make MayesTelles the obvious choice:
- We are former prosecutors
- We have 200 years of experience
- We are available to our clients 24/7
- We have handled thousands of cases
Arrested for DUI in Phoenix? Let our Phoenix DUI lawyers fight to protect your rights. We are available 24/7, so get started today with a free consultation.
Our Practice Areas
Learn More About Our DUI Services
Results-Driven Representation
Because of our dedication to our clients and their rights, our DUI lawyers in Phoenix have been able to secure positive outcomes for many clients charged with drunk driving.
We have won many victories where the charges were either dropped completely or reduced to lesser offenses, including one case where we were able to get an Extreme DUI (.20 BAC) charge against our client dismissed.
Contact our Phoenix DUI lawyers at MayesTelles today to discuss your options in a FREE consultation. We're available 24/7, so don't wait to give us a call: (602) 428-7104 or contact online.
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Client Charged With DUI
Our client, B.V., was charged with driving under the influence. We were able to get the client's DUI reduced to reckless driving. Location: Surprise Municipal Court Case: State v. B.V.
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Client Charged with DUI
Our client, A.R, was charged with 1 count of DUI and 1 count of Failure to Control Speed to Avoid a Collision. During extensive pre-trial investigation, it was discovered that the police made many errors in how they handled the case. We were able to get the client's charges reduced to reckless driving. Location: Glendale City Court
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4 Counts of Aggravated DUI Dismissed
Client M.W. was charged with 4 counts of Aggravated DUI in the Maricopa County Superior Court in July 2016 for allegedly riding a motorized bicycle under the influence. The attorneys at MayesTelles demanded that the State include certain materials in their presentation to the grand jury, resulting in the grand jury refusing to indict and the case being dismissed.
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Charges Dismissed
S.H., a MayesTelles client, charged with DUI in Chandler Municipal Court. Case result: All charges dismissed.
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Client Charged with DUI
Our client's Driving Under The Influence charge was reduced to reckless driving.
Why Choose MayesTelles PLLC?
At MayesTelles PLLC, our Phoenix criminal defense attorneys are former prosecutors. This means they have insight into the opposition’s argument, which is not something every lawyer can offer.
If you have been charged with drunk driving, allow our DUI attorneys to fight for your rights.
Arizona DUI Penalties
In Arizona, DUI (Driving Under the Influence) penalties can be severe. The penalties vary depending on factors such as whether it's your first offense, your blood alcohol concentration (BAC), and other circumstances. Here's a general overview:
First Offense:
- A minimum of 10 consecutive days in jail, with a maximum of 6 months.
- Fines of up to $1,250
- License suspension for 90 days.
- Mandatory installation of an ignition interlock device (IID) after the suspension period.
- Completion of alcohol screening, education, and treatment programs.
Second Offense:
- A minimum of 90 days in jail, with a maximum of 6 months.
- Fines of up to $3,000
- License suspension for 1 year.
- Mandatory IID installation for 1 year after the suspension period.
- Substance abuse screening, education, and treatment.
Extreme DUI (BAC of 0.15% or higher) and Super Extreme DUI (BAC of 0.20% or higher):
- Higher penalties, including longer jail time, steeper fines, and longer license suspensions.
- Additional penalties like community service and mandatory attendance at alcohol abuse programs.
Aggravated DUI:
- DUI with certain aggravating factors like driving with a suspended license, causing injury or death, or having multiple DUI convictions within a certain period.
- Penalties can include substantial prison time, longer license revocation periods, and other severe consequences.
Working with a DUI attorney is important because they can:
Police must have reasonable suspicion to conduct a traffic stop. Oftentimes, that reasonable suspicion is based on an officer's perception (for example, speeding, following too closely, failing to maintain your lane, unsafe lane change, etc.) rather than hard facts. The attorneys at MayesTelles are trained to identify and challenge the basis for a DUI stop and determine whether or not it was reasonable.
Once you are pulled over for DUI, an officer must establish probable cause to arrest you. Probable cause can be based on admissions to drinking, the odor of alcohol, observations regarding your eyes, speech, balance, and other factors. These factors are often based on an officer's perceptions. The DUI lawyers at MayesTelles know how to identify and challenge whether there was probable cause to arrest you.
If you performed field sobriety tests, the officer will have made judgments on your performance and included those in his or her report. No matter how well you think you performed or may actually have performed, officers are predisposed to interpret results to suit their goal – which is to arrest you.
The DUI attorneys at MayesTelles are experienced in challenging the officer's conclusions regarding your performance on field sobriety tests as well as the nature of the tests themselves.
Whether you gave a breath or blood sample after being arrested for DUI, it is important to re-test that sample, analyze the circumstances under which it was handled, transported, and tested, and check that all testing equipment was working properly. Our team at MayesTelles is familiar with the weaknesses in the testing process and know how to challenge those weaknesses when they appear.
In some cases, individuals are arrested and charged with DUI when there are no witness that could put the driver behind the wheel. Oftentimes, those arrests are based on admissions, circumstantial evidence regarding who was driving, or other factors. When those circumstances arise, our DUI attorneys know how to make the government bear the burden of proving that you were driving under the influence.
For every officer patrolling the streets, there is an officer personnel file. Sometimes, obtaining and reviewing that file can result in a basis to challenge an officer's credibility and the statements and conclusions he or she has made about you in a police report. The Phoenix DUI attorneys at MayesTelles investigate officers and witnesses and their backgrounds and raise challenges when they are available.
Sometimes the evidence is there, dismissal on a constitutional or technical basis is unlikely, and you are likely to lose your DUI case at trial. Even in those situations, our DUI defense lawyers are often able to negotiate a result that is better than a conviction at trial; for example, a plea to reckless driving or a less serious DUI charge. Many of these techniques can only be employed by an experienced DUI attorney.
A DUI arrest will inevitably result in the suspension of your license unless you request a hearing with the MVD and successfully challenge the arrest. A conviction for DUI can result in the revocation of your license and the need to reapply for a license, be screened for reinstatement, and pay significant fees throughout the process.
Our criminal defense law firm knows when and how to challenge a license suspension and how to navigate the system to minimize your risk of losing your license for a prolonged period of time.
Being criminally charged with a DUI offense can be a scary situation. Most DUI offenders have no prior record and are unfamiliar with the criminal court process. Every DUI case is different. The legal team at MayesTelles knows how to evaluate your needs, evaluate your specific goals, evaluate your unique DUI case, and employ the best possible strategy to avoid or minimize the consequences of your DUI arrest.
Client testimonials
Hear From Past Clients We've Helped
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The entire staff was so kind and nobody treated me any different because of my past! There are no words I can give you to thank you for what your company has done for me!! Thank you so much!- K.H.
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I sure hope to never get in trouble again but when I did I put my money and trust in MayesTelles. Not only do they listen, they CARE! As if it was them in my shoes! They don't judge you or make you feel uncomfortable and you can sit back and relax.- L. M.
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I never thought I would be someone needing a criminal lawyer. Choosing Mayes Telles was a great choice which has put my mind at ease. Melanie Laboy has been super responsive to my case and kept me informed during this entire process.- E.W.
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Got myself in some trouble and David Lish pulled me right out. He was really good at making me feel comfortable and helping me understand exactly what was going on with my case. David made my Felony go down to a misdemeanor and allowed me to come home to N- Elizabeth
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Zach turned hell to heaven (not guilty) for me and I will never say enough thank you for the fantastic job he did!!!!! Zach thank you- SG
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David Telles is the best lawyer in my experience. It was a pretty big case, but he handled very professionally. My case was dismissed, I was very happy with the result and I am really thanks to David Telles.- Hanna
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We are often asked what law firm do we see offers excellent advice and successful results for our clients and we tell them Mayes Telles. Blake Mayes, David Telles and Dean Turnbow have had fantastic communication with our office and our clients can't speak- Sanctuary Bail Bonds
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We are often asked what law firm do we see offers excellent advice and successful results for our clients and we tell them Mayes Telles. Blake Mayes, David Telles and Dean Turnbow have had fantastic communication with our office...- Sanctuary Bail Bonds
Types of DUI Cases We Handle
At MayesTelles PLLC, our criminal defense attorneys handle all types and degrees of DUI charges, such as:
All DUI offenses in Arizona are considered misdemeanor crimes, except for aggravated DUI. Aggravated DUI is the only offense that can be charged as a felony. Whatever the case, our legal team is here to protect your rights.
You Only Have 15 Days to Save Your Driver's License
If you were charged with DUI, you are facing automatic suspension of your driver's license – which is separate from your criminal case. To contest the suspension of your driver’s license, you have 15 days to petition for a hearing with the Arizona Motor Vehicle Department (MVD) after your arrest. The MVD hearing is a civil hearing concerning the state of your driving privileges, and is your only chance to save your license.
We can represent you at your MVD hearing and contest the suspension of your license.
Can I Refuse to Take a Field Sobriety Test?
When a law enforcement officer believes that a driver is under the influence of drugs or alcohol, they will conduct a number of preliminary tests to help determine the driver's level of impairment.
Arizona is an “implied consent” state, which means that drivers are required to submit to chemical testing (i.e. a breath, blood, or urine test) if they are suspected of DUI.
However, this does not apply to field sobriety tests.
You have the right to refuse a field sobriety test, but refusal to submit to a chemical test after a DUI arrest would result in automatic suspension of your driver’s license.
You should also keep in mind that, even if you refuse to perform a field sobriety test at the officer’s request, they can still detain you and take you in for a chemical test.
At this point, you could not refuse to submit to testing without facing consequences.
It is important for you to understand that field sobriety tests are not scientific; they are subjective and can have flaws. We can find holes in the prosecution’s case.
Can I Still Win My Case If I Failed a Blood or Breath Test?
Usually, an officer needs probable cause to stop someone, including reasonable suspicion of intoxication. The way they can determine if an individual is driving under the influence is through blood and breath tests.
While these tests are fairly accurate, a number of factors can lead to inaccurate results.
Our DUI attorneys at MayesTelles PLLC can look to find errors in your breath or blood test in order to prove your innocence and have your charges dismissed. The sooner you call us after an arrest, the better.
The Breath Test
If you consent to a breath test, you will be asked to blow into a machine that marks the alcohol level detected on the breath and translates it into the level of alcohol detected in your blood.
While this machine gives an approximate BAC, there are factors that can skew the reading. Factors that can influence breath test results include:
- Improper calibration – The breathalyzer machine is highly sensitive and can pick up even the smallest amounts of alcohol and other elements. It is important for these machines to be properly maintained. If not, it can interfere with the readings.
- Pre-existing alcohol in the mouth – If someone used mouthwash or had a sip of alcohol, the machine will most likely register it. However, this does not automatically translate to intoxication.
- Extenuating factors – There are certain medical factors that can produce an incorrect reading on a breath test. For example, if an individual has diabetes, the machine can notice the high levels of acetone in the body that has nothing to do with alcohol.
A Phoenix DUI attorney can help find errors if you believe your breath test produced inaccurate readings.
The Blood Test
With this test, a sample of blood is taken to measure the alcohol content in a person’s blood stream. While a person has the right to refuse the test, a police offer may obtain a warrant to force them.
Blood tests are generally considered more accurate than breath tests. However, they are not foolproof. There can be human errors that skew the results.
There are also civil liberties to consider when blood tests are administered.
Not everyone can consent to a blood test. Medical issues such as hemophilia, phobias of needles, and religious convictions can all prevent an individual from having a blood test. However, if an officer forces the matter, they can be violating civil rights.
This can all lead to having the DUI charges dropped.
Can a First Offense DUI Be Dismissed in Phoenix?
In Arizona, a DUI charge can be dismissed if the evidence is insufficient to support a conviction. However, it's challenging to get a DUI charge dismissed. The success of dismissal depends on the circumstances of the case and the strength of the defense presented.
Some common reasons for DUI case dismissal include:
- A non-licensed professional administered neither blood nor breathing test
- The tests were not distributed within the allotted timeframe
- The tests were not administered within two hours of the suspect operating the vehicle
A skilled DUI lawyer in Phoenix can explore legal avenues to challenge evidence and uphold the defendant's rights.
Can a DUI Be Dropped in Arizona?
Getting a DUI charge dropped in Arizona is possible, but it's an uphill battle. In Arizona, a DUI can only be dismissed if the evidence is insufficient to support a conviction. However, there are other ways to beat a DUI. These include:
- Lack of probable cause
- Ineffective field sobriety tests
- Challenging breathalyzer results
- Miranda rights
Suppose you're facing a DUI charge in Arizona. In that case, it's essential to consult with an experienced DUI attorney to discuss your options. They can help you understand the law and develop a strong defense strategy.
Our DUI Attorneys in Phoenix Are Available 24/7
A DUI conviction can be highly detrimental to all aspects of your life. Even a first-time offense can lead to severe fines, time in prison, license suspension, and an IID restriction. Not only that, but insurance companies are more likely to increase their premiums because of the charge.
If you are facing DUI charges in Arizona, you need someone who thoroughly understands the legal system to be on your side. Our Phoenix DUI lawyers can represent you effectively and fight to make sure that one mistake does not tarnish your record.
We are available 24/7 and offer free evaluations. Call (602) 428-7104 to take the first step.