
Being accused of driving under the influence is bad enough, but when you add aggravating factors to the mix, your charges could be elevated from a misdemeanor to a felony, and you could face substantial penalties. An Arizona aggravated DUI lawyer can help you avoid these worst-case scenarios and obtain a positive result in your case.
The team here at Grand Canyon Law Group has years of experience in handling aggravated DUI cases. We have extensive knowledge of aggravated DUI laws and how to leverage them to help our clients, no matter what aggravating factors were present in their cases. Whether you were caught drunk driving with a minor in your vehicle or you’re being accused of committing a DUI on a suspended license, you can trust us to give your case the attention it deserves.
In 2024, 4,749 DUI arrests were made by Arizona state troopers alone. A total of 1,354 misdemeanor and felony DUI arrests were made during the state’s December holiday season traffic enforcement period, which includes Thursdays through Saturdays of each week in December, along with Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.
It doesn’t matter when you were caught drunk driving. If you’re facing felony DUI charges, you need to hire an aggravated DUI lawyer right away. Your lawyer can help you:
Hiring an Arizona aggravated DUI attorney is the most effective way to defend yourself against your charges and improve your odds of a successful outcome in your case, whether that means getting the charges dropped or negotiating a plea deal that helps you avoid the most severe aggravated DUI penalties.
ARS § 13-1383 defines aggravated DUIs as occurring when you’re pulled over for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol and at least one of these factors is present:
Aggravated DUIs are more serious than standard, or even extreme, DUIs.
Aggravated DUIs are usually considered Class 4 felonies in the Grand Canyon State. These are punishable under ARS § 13-702 by one to 12.5 years in prison. If you were under 15 at the time you received your aggravated DUI, it is generally considered a Class 6 felony punishable by four months to two years in prison.
You may be able to get your charges reduced to a standard DUI with the help of your lawyer or negotiate a plea deal that involves reduced sentencing. Standard DUIs are misdemeanors, not felonies, which means that getting your charges dropped could prevent you from winding up with a felony on your criminal record.
In addition to facing jail or prison time, you could also wind up paying substantial fines and victim restitution in the event that your DUI caused an accident. You’ll also face an administrative license suspension or revocation, the length of which can depend on whether you are facing your first, second, or subsequent offense.
Your vehicle could also be confiscated, and you could be required to install an ignition interlock device and attend mandatory alcohol education, assessment, and treatment.
How much a DUI lawyer costs in Arizona depends on the specifics of your case. If your case is very complex, your legal fees are likely to be higher because your attorney may need to spend more time gathering and analyzing evidence, hiring expert witnesses, and proving your case. If your case is resolved via a plea bargain prior to the beginning of your trial, that could substantially reduce your costs.
The most effective defense for a DUI depends on the circumstances of your arrest. An experienced defense attorney may challenge the traffic stop if the police did not have reasonable cause to pull you over or question the validity of field sobriety or breathalyzer tests based on improper administration or calibration.
It may be worth it to dispute a DUI under certain circumstances. If the police pulled you over illegally or otherwise violated your constitutional rights, you may be able to have the resulting evidence thrown out, leaving the prosecution without the evidence it needs to pursue a case. Even if you don’t think your case can be thrown out entirely, it’s worth pleading not guilty at arraignment to give your attorney time to come up with an effective defense strategy.
The most beneficial plea bargain for a DUI in most cases is to negotiate for a charge reduction to a non-alcohol-related moving violation. This can prevent you from having a DUI on your permanent criminal record and may avoid mandatory license suspensions. Even if you can’t plead to lesser charges, you may be able to plead guilty in return for a lower sentence.
If you’re looking for an experienced Arizona aggravated DUI lawyer, you have come to the right place. The team here at Grand Canyon Law Group has been practicing criminal defense law for years, and in that time, we’ve handled countless aggravated DUI cases. We are tireless in our pursuit of positive outcomes for our clients, treating each case with empathy and standing by our clients as advocates and allies throughout their legal journeys.
Contact our office to schedule an initial consultation today.