Mesa DUI Lawyer

Getting arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) in Mesa, AZ, is a life-changing experience. You may have been pulled over while leaving Downtown Mesa after dinner with friends or stopped near Sloan Park after a spring training game. 

Regardless of where it happened, a DUI charge under Arizona law carries harsh penalties, immediate consequences, and the risk of a criminal record. At AZ Defenders, we understand the fear and uncertainty you’re feeling right now. 

Our Mesa DUI lawyers have decades of combined experience defending clients facing DUI charges across the East Valley. We know how DUI prosecutors build their cases, what mistakes officers make during stops and testing, and how to create strategic defenses designed to protect your freedom and future. 

Call AZ Defenders today at (480) 456-6400 or contact us online for a confidential consultation with an experienced Mesa DUI attorney.

Why Choose AZ Defenders for Your DUI Defense?

Mesa, AZ, aggressively prosecutes DUI offenses. The city’s proximity to Arizona State University’s Polytechnic campus, major nightlife areas, and large entertainment venues leads to frequent patrols and DUI task forces, particularly along Country Club Drive, Main Street, Southern Avenue, and the Red Mountain Loop 202 corridor.

AZ Defenders offers:

• 20+ decades of combined criminal defense experience
• Former prosecutors who understand prosecution strategies from the inside
• Tailored defense plans based on the unique facts of your arrest
• Aggressive representation in Mesa Municipal Court and Maricopa County Superior Court
• Clear, honest communication so you always know your options

Our attorneys are known for fighting relentlessly for our clients. We analyze every aspect of your case to uncover flaws in the prosecution’s evidence, negotiate from a position of strength, and do not accept quick plea deals that do not serve your best interests. 

Understanding DUI Charges in Arizona

Arizona’s DUI laws are among the toughest in the country. Even a first-time offense carries mandatory jail time, fines, and license suspension. 

Understanding what you’re facing is the first step in protecting yourself.

Regular DUI – A.R.S. § 28-1381

A regular DUI is charged when your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is:

• 0.01 but less than 0.0149% (0.8% or higher for non-commercial drivers
• You are presumed to be impaired by alcohol if your BAC is 0.08% or higher, or just 0.04% or higher for commercial drivers

You will note, you can be charged with DUI if you are impaired to the slightest degree, even if your BAC is below the 0.08% threshold, or 0.04% for commercial drivers.

Penalties for a first regular DUI include:

• 10 days in jail (9 can be suspended with alcohol education)
• $1,500 or more in fines and assessments
• 90-day driver’s license suspension
• Ignition interlock device installed for 12 months
• Mandatory alcohol screening, education, and treatment

Extreme DUI:  A.R.S. § 28-1382(A)(1)

An Extreme DUI is charged if your BAC is between 0.15% and 0.199%

First offense penalties:

• 30 days in jail
• Fines and assessments totaling over $3,500
• License suspension
• Ignition interlock device installed for 12 months
• Alcohol screening and treatment programs

Super Extreme DUI: A.R.S. § 28-1382(A)(2)

A Super Extreme DUI is charged if your BAC is 0.20% or higher.

Penalties include:

• 45 days in jail
• Substantially higher fines
• Ignition interlock requirement for 18 months
• Mandatory alcohol counseling and treatment

Aggravated DUI (Felony DUI): A.R.S. § 28-1383

Aggravated DUI is a felony charge. It applies when:

• You commit a DUI while your license is suspended or revoked
• It is your third DUI within seven years
• You are arrested for DUI with a child under 15 in the vehicle
• You are subject to an ignition interlock device requirement and are arrested for DUI in a vehicle that does not have an ignition interlock device installed

Penalties include:

• A minimum jail sentence of at least one day for Class 6 Aggravated DUI or four months in prison for Class 4 Aggravated DUI
• A felony criminal record
• A revoked license
• Mandatory alcohol education and treatment
• An ignition interlock device requirement after the period of revocation of your driving privileges ends.

Felony DUI convictions carry lifelong consequences, including loss of civil rights, difficulties finding employment, restrictions on housing, and loss/suspension/revocation of professional licenses.

Drug DUI Charges

It is possible to be charged with DUI as a result of drugs. Even prescription drugs can violate the law, even if it is a valid prescription provided to you by your licensed medical provider(s). The key is your ability to drive, not the legality of the substance itself. 

The DUI Arrest Process in Mesa, AZ

Knowing how DUI arrests unfold can help you identify potential defense opportunities.

The Traffic Stop

Most Mesa DUI arrests begin with a traffic stop. Officers may pull you over for reasons such as:

• Speeding
• Weaving or drifting lanes
• “Wide turns”
• Running a red light or stop sign
• Equipment violations (broken tail light, expired tags)

Once stopped, officers will observe your behavior, speech, and physical appearance for signs of impairment. They may ask if you’ve been drinking and request that you perform field sobriety tests.

Field Sobriety Tests (FSTs)

These standardized tests include:

• Horizontal gaze nystagmus (eye movement test)
• Walk-and-turn
• One-leg stand

FSTs are subjective and can be influenced by nerves, fatigue, uneven pavement, footwear, or medical conditions.

Breathalyzer or Blood Test

If officers believe you are impaired, they will ask for a breathalyzer or blood test to measure your BAC. Refusing the test (breath at the station machine only, not the portable breath test on the side of the road) can result in automatic license suspension for one year under Arizona’s implied consent laws.

Arrest and Booking

If your BAC is over the legal limit or if officers believe you are impaired, you will be arrested and taken to jail for booking and processing.

Release

Depending on your BAC, criminal history, and the circumstances of your arrest, you may be released with a citation and court date, or you may remain in custody until your initial appearance/not guilty arraignment.

The DUI Court Process in Mesa

Arraignment

Your arraignment is your first court appearance, typically held in Mesa Municipal Court at 1st Avenue and Mesa Drive, in Mesa, AZ. Felony DUI arraignments take place in Maricopa County Superior Court. 

At arraignment, you will enter a plea (guilty, not guilty, or no contest) and receive future court dates.

Pretrial Conferences

Your attorney will meet with the prosecutor to:

• Discuss the status of the state’s timely disclosure of its evidence
• Review the evidence against you
• File motions to suppress unlawfully obtained evidence
• Negotiate for reduced charges, dismissal, or alternative sentencing options

If a solution can’t be reached, the case will proceed to a jury trial. 

Suppression Hearings

If your attorney identifies constitutional violations, such as an illegal stop or improper testing procedures, they can file motions to suppress the evidence. If successful, the prosecution may lose critical evidence it needs to proceed to trial before a jury.

Trial

If no resolution is reached pretrial, your case proceeds to trial before a jury. AZ Defenders will present your defense strategically, cross-examine officers and expert witnesses, and challenge the prosecution’s evidence at every turn.

How a Mesa DUI Attorney Can Help

Hiring a DUI lawyer in Mesa, AZ, is essential to protect your rights and build the strongest defense possible. Your attorney can:

• Review the legality of your traffic stop
• Challenge test results
• Dispute breath or blood test accuracy
• File motions to suppress unlawfully obtained evidence
• Negotiate with prosecutors for reduced charges or alternative sentencing
• Represent you in administrative MVD hearings to protect your driving privileges which may result even prior to any court conviction.

At AZ Defenders, we analyze every detail of your arrest, from officer body camera footage and police reports to calibration records of breathalyzer machines used by Mesa PD and the Maricopa County crime lab’s blood testing machines and testing procedures.

Common DUI Defenses

While every case is different, some common defense strategies include:

• No reasonable suspicion for the stop
• Field sobriety tests administered improperly
• The breathalyzer was not calibrated correctly
• Blood samples were mishandled and/or contaminated
• Medical conditions mimicking intoxication symptoms
• Denial of your constitutional rights during arrest or questioning

We build your defense on facts, science, and law, not assumptions.

DUI Arrests Near Mesa Landmarks

We frequently defend clients arrested near:

• Sloan Park (Chicago Cubs spring training)
• Mesa Riverview shopping center
• Downtown Mesa Arts Center
• Fiesta District along Southern Avenue
• Loop 202 Red Mountain Freeway
• ASU Polytechnic campus

Police increase patrols in these areas, especially during major events, holidays, and weekends.

Consequences Beyond the Courtroom

A DUI conviction can affect:

• Employment: Some employers terminate employees convicted of DUI, particularly those in healthcare, transportation, or public service.
• Professional licenses: Teachers, nurses, realtors, and other licensed professionals may face disciplinary action.
• Insurance rates: Your car insurance premiums can double or triple, or your policy may be canceled altogether.
• Immigration status: Non-citizens could face visa or residency consequences, including deportation.
• Housing: Landlords often run background checks and may deny applicants with criminal records.

These consequences are why it is essential to fight your DUI charges aggressively and strategically.

Why Acting Quickly Matters

Time is critical in DUI cases. Hiring a DUI attorney immediately allows for:

• Prompt MVD hearing requests to protect your license
• Preservation of critical evidence
• Early negotiations with prosecutors to explore reduced charges or dismissal
• Thorough investigation while details are fresh and witnesses are available

Waiting too long can limit your defense options and jeopardize your case.

How AZ Defenders Can Help You

At AZ Defenders, we take a comprehensive, aggressive approach to every DUI case. When you work with us, we will:

• Evaluate your case from every angle to identify the strongest defenses
• Challenge every piece of evidence, from the traffic stop to chemical test results
• Negotiate firmly with prosecutors to seek dismissal or reduction of charges
• Advocate for alternative sentencing where appropriate, such as home detention, work release, or suspended jail time
• Represent you in MVD hearings to protect your driving privileges
• Guide you through the entire process with clear communication and dedicated support

We understand how a DUI charge affects your life. Our attorneys fight to protect your freedom, your career, and your future with the full force of our experience and knowledge.

Contact a Mesa DUI Lawyer at AZ Defenders Today

If you are facing drunk driving charges with a DUI in Mesa, don’t wait. Every day that passes can limit your defense options. 

Let an experienced criminal defense attorney from AZ Defenders fight for you. Our law office has 200+ years of combined experience fighting DUI cases and criminal charges.

Call (480) 456-6400 today or contact us online to schedule a confidential, free consultation with an experienced Mesa DUI attorney. We are ready to protect your rights, your record, and your future.