04 Aug Charged with a DUI in Scottsdale? We Can Help You Fight It!
Arizona has a reputation for going tough on DUIs, and Scottsdale is no exception.
When the WM Phoenix Open rolled through town, officers made 109 DUI arrests in just three days, along with nearly 1,100 traffic stops. And that’s actually not unusual for Scottsdale. Between Old Town’s bar scene and the constant stream of events, our city sees some of the heaviest DUI enforcement in the state.
If you got caught at a DUI checkpoint or arrested after a traffic stop, you’re probably wondering if you actually have a shot at fighting it. Beating a DUI charge won’t be easy, but with the right lawyer on your side, it’s possible.
What You’re Up Against If You Get Convicted
A DUI conviction in Arizona isn’t just a fine and a slap on the wrist. You’re looking at potential jail time, a suspended license, mandatory alcohol classes. Plus, you’ll have to drive with a court-ordered ignition device that keeps your car from starting unless you pass a breath test first.
Arizona’s implied consent law also means that by driving a vehicle, you’ve already agreed to chemical testing. If you get stopped and an officer suspects impairment, refusing a test comes with its own set of consequences.
Refusing to submit to a breath test or ethanol blood test will result in the immediate suspension of your license for 12 months. And if you end up getting convicted, the penalties will be doubled.
Can You Fight a DUI Charge in Arizona?
A lot of people assume that once they’ve blown over the legal limit, the case is basically decided. It’s not.
Every case is different, but there are common threads in strong DUI defenses. Maybe the officer lacked reasonable suspicion to pull you over in the first place. Maybe your blood or breath test wasn’t administered correctly, or too much time passed before it happened.
Fighting a DUI comes down to the finer details:
Was there a valid reason for the stop? Was the chemical test given within the required window. Did the officer follow proper procedure the whole way through?
When any of those steps get skipped or mishandled, there’s a much better chance of fighting a DUI charge and getting the case dismissed.
Know the Charges You’re Facing
Not all DUIs are treated the same in Arizona. A standard DUI, an extreme DUI, and a super extreme DUI each carry their own set of penalties. The difference usually comes down to blood alcohol level and prior convictions.
Understanding exactly what type of DUI charges you’re up against is the first step toward building a real defense. First-time offenders may get a break. But if it’s not your first DUI charge, you’ll definitely need an attorney who knows the system and can build a strong case.
Scottsdale DUI Lawyer Ready to Fight for You
Trying to handle a DUI case on your own only puts your future at risk. A dedicated DUI lawyer digs into all the details: the traffic stop, the equipment used, the paperwork, looking for anything that doesn’t add up.
Hiring an expert who’s spent decades in Maricopa County courtrooms means you get a lawyer who already knows how local prosecutors and judges tend to handle these cases. Todd Coolidge has been defending DUI charges in Chandler, Phoenix, and Scottsdale for over 30 years, and he will give you the best chance of winning your case.
Getting arrested doesn’t mean you’re out of options. Call Coolidge Law today to schedule a consultation.
Photo by Łukasz on Unsplash used with permission under the Creative Commons license for commercial use 7/12/26.
Todd Coolidge graduated magna cum laude from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh in 1984 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice. He attended Arizona State University College of Law and has been practicing law exclusively as a criminal defense attorney since graduating in 1990. He has over 25 years of experience and is certified as a Criminal Law Specialist through the Arizona Board of Legal Specialization.