I’m having a difficulty coping after being charged with DUI fine here in Mesa, Arizona. How would I deal with this and how do you think I can cope after this mess?

Freddie

Mesa, AZ

It would take just one bad judgment to be charged with DUI in Mesa, Arizona, but that decision could completely change your life. A drunk driving charge is not easy to deal with on any level, but there’s support out there if you know where to look. First is that you can talk with friends and family members because they could help you emotionally and financially. You have to complete any court-ordered programs such as DUI school, community service and alcohol counseling to avoid further punishment by finishing these programs as instructed.

You may also want to attend an alcohol abuse support group even if the court does not order you to attend because it would always be better to speak with people who can relate to your situation. Best of all, you have to speak with a DUI lawyer because a lawyer who is experienced in DUI cases could explain the consequences and options your DUI case presents. The DUI lawyer can advise you on every aspect of your case, explain to you the legal consequences and help you deal with your car insurance after your DUI.

What are the stages that I would have to undergo after being arrested for DUI in Arizona? What is the process involved and could I be able to request for a trial by jury?

Arthur

Casas Adobes, AZ

After being arrested and charged for DUI in Casas Adobes, Arizona, under the DUI laws, it would inevitably followed by a long drawn out process of legal involvement. The first step after being charged with DUI would be the Preliminary Hearing at the district justice level. At this point, it would allow the judge to decide if there is sufficient evidence against you. The next step would be your arraignment that would help you to know what you are being charged with and at this stage, you would also be advised of your rights to make sure that you understand your charges. You would also be required at this point to enter a plea of guilty or not guilty. If this is your first DUI offense, you could get away with fines, community service and alcohol awareness programs.

If you are deemed ineligible for the aforementioned programs or if you believe that you are not guilty, you could be able to request for a trial by jury. In this case, you have to make sure that you have a good DUI lawyer to help you because there is much legality that you could be completely unaware of. At the end of your DUI case, the jury would find you innocent or guilty for DUI and would have to prepare yourself for sentencing.

Hi, I just moved here in Gilbert, Arizona and I got interested in DUI when a neighbor was wrongfully arrested for it. Question is, what does the fourth amendment has to do with any DUI case?

Billy

Gilbert, AZ

The Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution means a lot for a driver on the Arizona roadways especially in relation to traffic offenses, most specifically, DUI investigation/suspicion. In any DUI stop, a police officer who pulled over the vehicle should to justify why the vehicle was stopped. That explanation should include the evidence that a traffic violation was actually committed. If not, this could absolutely result in the suppression of evidence that is taken illegally.

The DUI defense attorney could definitely file a motion to suppress if the police officer could not demonstrate that a traffic infraction was thereby committed because this would be a violation of the Fourth Amendment rights. If the judge agrees, then it means that the DUI case would be dismissed because any evidence that was obtained from illegal stop is inadmissible. Note that most of the DUI case dismissals are results of this approach. In your neighbor’s DUI case, hiring a good DUI lawyer there in Arizona could definitely challenge the DUI stop to find out if it was a lawful stop and no violation of the defendant’s right was actually committed.