Gilbert DUI Lawyer

Decades of Experience. Proven Results.

A DUI arrest in Gilbert can put your license, job, and freedom on the line, often before you’ve had a real chance to understand what the State is alleging or whether the evidence holds up. At MayesTelles PLLC, we fight for people accused of DUI across Maricopa County with an award-winning team that includes former prosecutors and a dedicated DUI Division led by a former top DUI and vehicular-crimes investigator. 

Here’s what sets us apart:

• Former prosecutors on staff, so we understand how DUI cases are charged, negotiated, and tried. 
• 200+ years of combined experience and a firm built to handle complex criminal matters. 
• DUI-focused leadership: our DUI Division is managed by Chris Culbert, who previously became one of the top DUI and vehicular-crimes investigators at the Scottsdale Police Department. 
• Availability when it matters: our firm emphasizes 24/7 availability for clients facing urgent criminal exposure. 

Call (602) 714-7900 or contact us online for a free, confidential consultation.

Proven Results in DUI Cases

Our results reflect experience handling high-stakes cases where the evidence is contested and the consequences are real. We prepare cases for litigation, negotiate from strength, and force the State to prove its allegations.

Some examples of our results include:

• DUI Charges Dropped — Extreme and Super Extreme DUI charges dismissed after we identified inconsistencies in police reports.
• 4 Counts of Aggravated DUI Dismissed — Case dismissed after grand jury declined to indict when required materials were presented.
• Reduced to Reckless Driving — DUI and failure-to-control-speed charges reduced after pretrial investigation uncovered handling errors.
• Case Dismissed — Super Extreme DUI and driving-without-valid-license allegations dismissed.
• 6 Counts of Aggravated DUI Dismissed — Entire aggravated DUI case dismissed.

See more of our results.

A Defense Team Built for High-Stakes DUI Allegations

MayesTelles PLLC is a Phoenix-based criminal defense firm that represents clients throughout Gilbert and beyond. Our team includes former prosecutors and attorneys who know what it takes to secure positive outcomes in even the most challenging cases. 

Over the years, we’ve helped numerous clients beat their DUI charges and avoid serious penalties. 

“The firm assisted us as my son was charged with DUI. Because of our attorney’s diligence, the case was dismissed. We are so thankful for his expertise and the gentleness in which he educated us about these things. We will hopefully never again need MayesTelles PLLC’s services but we would whole-heartedly recommend them.” – Former Client

“Had my DUI dropped to a reckless driving. Got a $600 fine. No probation, no classes, no suspension. Very happy!” – Former Client

“Candy Marrufo is very sweet and fantastic at her job. I was charged with a super extreme DUI and had almost everything dropped down two levels to a regular DUI which is very rare and a difficult thing to do. She took care of everything and put my mind at ease.” – Former Client

Read more testimonials.

DUI Cases We Handle

Arizona DUI allegations are not one-size-fits-all. What you’re accused of—BAC level, drug allegations, prior history, license status, whether a minor was in the vehicle—can dramatically change exposure and strategy.

We handle Gilbert DUI matters involving:

• Impairment DUI 
• Per se DUI 
• Drug DUI 
• Extreme / Super Extreme DUI 
• Aggravated DUI (felony DUI) under A.R.S. § 28-1383 
• Underage DUI / Commercial Driver DUI
• DUI-related licensing complications 

How Arizona Defines DUI

Arizona’s core DUI statute is A.R.S. § 28-1381, and it covers multiple ways the State can charge a DUI. The most common are:

• Impairment theory: driving (or being in “actual physical control”) while impaired to the slightest degree. 
• Per se BAC theory: 0.08 or more within two hours of driving or being in actual physical control (with additional statutory language about the alcohol resulting from consumption before or while driving). 
• Drug DUI theory: having a drug defined in Arizona law or its metabolite in the body. 

What matters for defense is that each theory has different proof issues—especially when the evidence rests on field sobriety testing, breath/blood testing, or contested “actual physical control.”

Two Tracks: Your Criminal Case and Your License Consequences

In many DUI arrests, there are two parallel problems:

1. The criminal prosecution, and
2. The driver’s license consequences handled through MVD / admin procedures.

Arizona’s own MVD guidance emphasizes that if a stop involves suspected DUI and testing shows a qualifying alcohol concentration (or sometimes even when results aren’t available), a person can lose driving privileges quickly, with reinstatement conditions that may involve screening and other requirements. 

That’s why DUI defense needs to be strategic early: you’re not just fighting a conviction—you’re often trying to protect your ability to drive while the case is pending.

What Creates Leverage in A DUI Defense

Good DUI defense is evidence defense. The best outcomes usually come from identifying weaknesses in the State’s proof and building a plan around them.

Common leverage points include:

• The Stop and the Investigation. If the officer didn’t have lawful grounds to stop you or expand the investigation, critical evidence may be challenged.
• Field Sobriety Testing. Field tests are not a “truth machine.” They’re highly sensitive to conditions: uneven ground, lighting, footwear, anxiety, fatigue, medical issues, and officer instruction quality.
• Breath Testing Problems. Breath testing can raise issues around observation periods, calibration/maintenance history, operator compliance, and physiological factors that can distort readings.
• Blood Testing, Chain of Custody, And Timing. Blood draws raise technical issues (collection, storage, fermentation risk, preservatives, chain-of-custody integrity). Timing can matter too, especially in disputes involving the two-hour concept and alcohol absorption.
• Actual Physical Control. Arizona DUI law applies not only to driving but also “actual physical control.” That can become a major battleground in cases involving parking lots, pull-overs, or “sleeping it off.”

When A DUI Can Become a Felony in Arizona

Under Arizona law, certain scenarios can elevate a DUI to Aggravated DUI under A.R.S. § 28-1383, which is generally felony-level exposure. 

These cases demand a different defense posture: the sentencing exposure is higher, collateral consequences expand, and prosecutors often take a harder line. If the State is alleging an aggravating factor, your defense should force them to prove every element and examine whether the allegation is legally and factually supportable.

What A DUI Case Requires from a Defense Team

If you’re charged in Gilbert, you need a defense plan that’s built around the actual evidence, not generic talking points. In practice, that usually means:

• Getting the police reports, bodycam, dispatch/911 audio, and lab or breath records early
• Identifying suppression issues and filing targeted motions when warranted
• Challenging testing and procedural reliability (breath/blood, FST administration, observation periods, chain of custody)
• Negotiating strategically, but from a posture that shows you’re prepared to litigate

DUI FAQ

What Should I Look for in a Gilbert DUI Lawyer?

Look for a team that handles DUI regularly, understands the science and procedure, and has the credibility to litigate, because prosecutors negotiate differently when they know you can take a case to hearing or trial. Former-prosecutor insight can also matter, because it helps anticipate how the State will try to frame evidence and what leverage points move plea offers. 

Can I Be Charged with DUI If I Was Not Driving?

Yes. Arizona’s statute covers driving or “actual physical control.” These cases often turn on the facts, such as where you were, where the keys were, whether the vehicle was operable, and what the State can prove. 

Is It Possible to Fight A DUI If I Blew Over .08?

Sometimes, yes. A .08 reading is not the end of the analysis. Defense may involve breath-testing compliance issues, timing, absorption, medical factors, or other technical weaknesses. The specific facts and records matter.

Can I Be Charged with Drug DUI Even If I Have A Prescription?

Arizona DUI law includes drug-related theories, and the State may pursue cases involving drugs or metabolites. The defense often turns on what was present, what it means, impairment proof, and whether the State’s theory matches the statute and admissible evidence. 

How Fast Do License Consequences Hit After A DUI Arrest?

Often quickly. Arizona’s MVD guidance makes clear that DUI stops can lead to immediate loss of driving privileges in certain circumstances and that reinstatement can involve additional requirements. 

Will I Go to Jail for a First DUI?

Jail exposure depends on the charge level (standard vs extreme vs aggravated), your record, and the facts. The right strategy is to evaluate the charging theory and evidence early, because outcomes often improve when the defense starts building leverage immediately.

Do I Have to Take a Plea Deal?

No. Many cases resolve through negotiation, but the decision should be evidence-driven. A good defense evaluates suppression issues, testing weaknesses, and proof problems before advising whether a deal is reasonable.

How Much Does a DUI Lawyer Cost?

Cost depends on charge severity (misdemeanor vs felony), complexity (breath/blood issues, motions, expert needs), and whether the case is likely to go to trial. We can discuss fees based on your individual circumstances during a free consultation.

What If I Was Arrested in Gilbert But I Live Somewhere Else?

That’s common. What matters is where the case is filed and how it’s being prosecuted. We handle DUI cases across Maricopa County and can coordinate a defense plan with the court involved. 

Call For a FREE Consultation: (602) 714-7900

If you’re facing a DUI allegation in Gilbert, you need clear answers and a defense plan built around the evidence. MayesTelles PLLC is available to discuss your situation, explain what the State must prove under Arizona law, and map out next steps.

Call (602) 714-7900 or contact us online for a free consultation.