If you have been accused of a DUI in the state of Arizona, is it is crucial to hire highly qualified DUI lawyers who can ensure that your rights are protected.
You may not be aware of every right that you have, or of the strategies DUI lawyers in Arizona might employ to see that your charges are reduced or eliminated, especially if you are charged with a first offense. It is important for those charged with driving under the influence to hire good DUI lawyers in Arizona for many reasons.
There are different punishments for different blood alcohol content readings, and DUI lawyers in Arizona can help clients clarify which reading they had, and interpret how that will affect the outcome of their hearing. For instance, a person charged with a DUI offense may not be aware of the difference between a “Per Se” BAC level and an enhanced penalty BAC level.
There are harsher penalties surrounding enhanced penalty BAC levels such as increases jail time, a harsher fine, and more severe driver's license sanctions. When you are pulled over for a DUI, the police officers are usually looking for such signs as erratic driving, crossing the center line, weaving, and unusually wide turning radiuses. After stopping the car, they look for additional evidence of intoxication, such as a flushed face, bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, instability, disorientation, or an inappropriate attitude (such as being unusually happy, or being argumentative).
You may be asked to participate in coordination tests (for example, the “horizontal gaze nystagmus test” where an officer asks you to follow a penlight with your eyes. Ostensibly, intoxication can be determined by the point at which the eye begins to jerk, but this test can be called into question by an experienced DUI lawyer. It is recommended that, for a first offense, you should not agree to any such hand/eye coordination tests. Do, however, agree to chemical tests (blood, breath, and urine) if it is your first offense.
To learn more about hiring a Arizona DUI Lawyer and other legal resources, please visit our website at www.phillipslaw.com.
