Phoenix DUI Lawyer Blog

You'll need an Arizona DUI Defense Attorney if you have been charged with any type of DUI in Arizona

The Arizona Governors' office released statistics earlier this year which cited that Sixteen Arizona DUI task forces initiated more than 14,000 Arizona DUI arrests last year (2009). Nearly 1,000.00 of those were .15% or higher, Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) which is considered extreme DUI under Arizona state law. This was approximately 4,000.00 more than the previous year (2008). The State of Arizona considers a DUI a "violent crime" (according to one of Arizona's, website azgohs.gov/transportation-safety.) The penalties for convictions are severe for even the most basic Arizona DUI charge. Arizona DUI penalties include mandatory jail or prison, large fines, fees, loss of drivers license, in some cases vehicle impound, and installation of mandatory ignition interlock devices at your. If you face an Arizona DUI charge, it is crucial that you contact an experienced Arizona DUI Attorney as soon as possible. The chances of getting your case dismissed, charges reduced, or any other favorable outcome for your AZ DUI charges are drastically increased, if you have a good Arizona DUI Lawyer.

Note, of the 14,000 Arizona arrests last year, many of those were not convicted of the DUI or Drug DUI for which they were charged. Many hired private Phoenix DUI Attorneys or a private DUI Attorney who practices often in Phoenix Arizona to defend their Phoenix Arizona DUI case. And many of those defendants were able to get their case dismissed or significantly reduced charges and penalties, due to a violation of constitutional rights, not enough alcohol or drugs in their system, or other defense mechanism that was used by their top Phoenix DUI Defense Lawyer.

As a result however, of the increased number of Arizona DUI arrests, changes were and continue to be made to make the Phoenix Arizona DUI laws more strict and penalties en harsher. Particular focus is being directed at repeat offenders. The increased numbers in the DUI Arrests fueled efforts of Arizona State Legislature, Governor's Office, DPS, Highway Safety, and Law Enforcement Agencies, and County Prosecution Offices including Maricopa County cities of Phoenix, Mesa, Tempe, Chandler, Scottsdale, and Gilbert, Arizona, to reduce DUI and DWI numbers by increasing law enforcement presence, Arizona DUI penalties, and Arizona DUI convictions. Hundreds of thousands of dollars were granted by the Office of the Arizona Governor, and earmarked in use for Arizona DUI taskforces, Arizona DUI sobriety checkpoints, and AZ DUI roadblocks through out the State in 2010. These operations have been well underway the first half of this year across the State of Arizona.

It does not matter who you are, what you do, where you are going or why you are driving impaired due to alcohol, drugs or other toxic substances. If you are charged for a DUI in Arizona you will face an Arizona DUI charge, arrest, booking number, and mug shot.

The State of Arizona and County Prosecution are serious about stopping drivers impaired by alcohol or drugs. They are out for the conviction and are working closely with the police to get you convicted. A judge can't even help you. Their hands are tied, without proper legal defense, motions, evidence, and legal authority through the court processes via legal representation from your Arizona DUI Defense Attorney. It makes the prosecution's job easy to convict you with the maximum penalties when you do not hire a private Arizona DUI Defense Attorney. An Arizona DUI charge involves complicated processes, court procedures, and challenges. To defend an Arizona DUI defense requires knowledge, training and experience in fighting the prosecution; understanding court protocol and procedures; constantly changing laws, penalties, alcohol and drug toxicology testing; and application of defense strategies to suit your set of circumstances. For these reasons, it is extremely important that you contact a good Arizona Criminal Defense or Arizona DUI Attorney as soon as possible to defend your case who is experienced and competent in all of these areas.

Be sure you either hire an Arizona DUI Attorney well before that court date which appears on your citation. This will give your Arizona DUI Lawyer ample time to file appropriate motions with the court to vacate that hearing date, file your notice of "not-guilty" on your behalf, notice of your defenses, and notice of his or her legal representation in defense of your matter. The sooner you retain, an Arizona DUI Defense Lawyer the better, so they can begin gathering and examining evidence needed to build a strong defense which you will need to defend the Arizona DUI charges. You have everything to lose to try to fight on your own. And everything to gain, by hiring a good Arizona DUI Defense Attorney to fight to get a dismissal, reduced charges or in the least the best possible outcome for you, in your Arizona DUI case.

Continue reading "An Experienced Arizona DUI Lawyer Knows How to Defend Your DUI" »

Your desire to find the best Phoenix, Arizona DUI lawyer for you is a very important process. There are advantages and disadvantages to both. Bigger is not always better when it comes to an Arizona DUI attorney. A higher price does not always mean better legal representation. Ultimately it boils down to your comfort level, and who you feel can get best outcome of your case. Here are some "W" questions to help you make a decision:

Who exactly from the Law Firm will be handling your DUI case from start to finish? Say you met with the Owner of the Law firm for a Free Consultation. Does that Attorney plan to handle your case personally or an associate attorney of the firm whom you have never met?

What training, education and experience does the Attorney have who will be handling your case? Any Arizona DUI charge is a serious offense, whether it is a felony or misdemeanor. Arizona has the toughest DUI laws in the Country. You need a strong and experienced Arizona DUI attorney who understands the laws, defenses and has spent a lot of time on the inside of the court room defending DUI and Criminal cases. A former prosecutor in the jurisdiction for which you have been charged, will have a wealth of experience and familiarity with the laws, and system to bring to the table.

What areas of law does the attorney handling your case practice in? Do they defend DUI and criminal Cases exclusively? Or do they handle a variety of different areas of law practice such as bankruptcy, personal injury, tax law or other area?. An Arizona DUI lawyer who practices exclusively in DUI and Criminal Defense on a daily basis will be up-to-date on current and every changing Arizona laws, and court cases. Just one recent existing court case can make a difference in your DUI matter toward a better outcome, even a possible dismissal.

Which attorney will show up with you or on your behalf to court? With a larger firm you may get shifted around to different attorneys. Make sure you know who exactly in that Firm will take responsibility for defending your DUI Charge? How will you know someone cares for your Arizona DUI charge and provide a solid Phoenix DUI defense if you are getting your attorney re-assigned for every court date?

Will your calls for status or help to the Attorney be screened by a third party? How often will they be available to take your calls, answer your questions, or make time to meet with about your case if you have pressing concerns to discuss.

If you have been charged with an Arizona DUI, call the Law Office of James Novak for a Free Consultation with experienced DUI and Criminal Defense Attorney James Novak at (480) 413-1499.

You can increase your chances of finding the best Phoenix, Arizona DUI attorney, right for you. No official Arizona Attorney governing agencies have the answer to this. To the contrary, they frown upon attorneys making such claims or using descriptive words in advertisement, such as "the best DUI attorney" or "top defense lawyer. ". So should a DUI Attorney claim to be the best Arizona DUI lawyer, this should be a red flag. Don't walk; run, the other way...

Instead, here are some realistic factors to consider when making your choice:

• Does the Arizona DUI lawyer have experience in the court for which you must appear? The Arizona DUI attorney's familiarity with that judge, prosecution, court system, and policies can make the difference between a good outcome and a great outcome such as a dismissal of your Arizona DUI.

• Does the Law Firm or Attorney handle Arizona DUI and Criminal Defense cases exclusively? Some attorneys practice in a variety of different areas other than DUI, for example injury or bankruptcy. An Arizona DUI attorney who handles DUI & Criminal Defense cases exclusively, will most likely be up-to-date current laws and court decisions, which could affect the outcome of your case.

• Who will actually handle your case from start to finish from the firm you select? Did you meet with them prior to the first court appearance? You should become informed or otherwise familiar with the Arizona DUI attorney who will be handling your case. This includes hearings, meetings, telephone calls, updates, gathering, examining evidence, and preparing your case for conference or trial. Open communication and understanding by both you and your attorney of the facts, could impact the outcome of your case. It is your Attorney's job to examine all the facts, and educate the prosecution, judge, and jury as to these facts, your side of the story and defense.

• There's no better referral than an experienced referral from friends, family, or neighbors who have used the DUI attorney in the past. You want to make sure the referral is objective and trustworthy.

  
  The Law Office of James Novak exclusively defends Arizona DUI & Criminal Cases. If you have been charged with an Arizona DUI call (480) 413-1499 for your Free consultation with James Novak.