First Electric Scooter DUI Arrest Made in Tempe, AZ
by
Aaron Black • February 08, 2019
Tempe police have made the first drunk riding arrest for riding a popular ride share electric scooter in Arizona’s Valley of the Sun.Police said Sheldon Begay, 28, was intoxicated at more than three times the legal limit with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.285 when arrested for Super Extreme DUI, which is any level above 0.20. The legal limit for a standard DUI is 0.08.
Begay is accused of riding a Bird scooter when he crossed a lane line and ran into the side of a moving car on southbound Rural Road near Broadway and then rode away. The woman motorist called 911 and police found the injured Begay a short distance away. He received medical attention for his minor injuries.
Police while conducting a sobriety field test found seven 50 mi bottles of 99 Banana’s liqueur and a 16-ounce can of Four Peaks Golden lager in Begay’s backpack.
The crash happened last October and the Tempe City Prosecutor’s Office charged Begay on Jan. 2 with extreme DUI, endangerment, reckless driving, and criminal damage, according to Tempe Municipal Court records. The court also issued a bench warrant for Begay’s failure to appear in court for his arraignment.
If convicted of DUI, Begay will face a mandatory minimum of 45 days and a maximum of six months in county jail as well as over $3,000 in fines and fees if the DUI charge is a first offense along with the suspension of the driving privilege, alcohol counseling, and up to 5 years of probation. A second extreme DUI offense has even harsher penalties.
1st Time Super Extreme Driving Under the Influence Above a .20 BAC
- Minimum Jail - 45 days jail
- Maximum Jail – 6 months
- Fines:
$500 Fine
$415 Surcharge
$250 Driving Under the Influence Fund
$1000 Prison Fund
$1000 Public Safety Equip. Fund
$20 Time Pay Fee
$20 Probation Fee
$415 Surcharge
$250 Driving Under the Influence Fund
$1000 Prison Fund
$1000 Public Safety Equip. Fund
$20 Time Pay Fee
$20 Probation Fee
- 90 day License Suspension
- Possible Probation up to 5 years
- Alcohol / Drug Screening & Classes
- Possible community service
- Pay for jail incarceration
- Possible monthly probation fees
- Possible SR22 insurance
- 1 year Ignition interlock
Arizona has a deserved reputation as a no tolerance state. Although the legal limit is 0.08 an arrest can be made if someone is impaired to the “slightest degree.” Police can make an arrest even if the suspect was not driving. Being in “actual control” of a vehicle while intoxicated is also illegal.
If you or a loved one has been charged with a DUI you may have viable defenses under the law. Protect your rights by contacting DUI Defense Attorney, Aaron Black for free a telephonic consultation or call (480)729-1683.
About the Author
Aaron Black is the founder and sole attorney of the Law Office of Aaron Black. Located in Phoenix, Arizona, his DUI and criminal defense law firm provides legal services to people who have received felony or misdemeanor charges from the state.
Aaron has developed a strong interest in defending people who have been arrested and received criminal charges for driving under the influence. With his professionalism and knowledge of Arizona DUI and criminal law, he has acted as a check and balance on the police, prosecution and courts and has protected a great number of his clients from excessive and unfair sentencing.Along with DUI defense, Aaron handles a range of other criminal matters, including aggravated assault, burglary, domestic violence, drug possession, drug trafficking, fraud defense, insurance fraud, sex crimes and white-collar crime.
After graduating college in 2003 from the University of Arizona, Aaron decided to pursue a law degree. He followed a family long tradition and went to the University of South Dakota School of Law where he pursued his goal of becoming a criminal defense lawyer.
After passing the Arizona and South Dakota bar exams, Aaron joined the Maricopa County Office of the Public Defender where he defended hundreds of people charged with serious criminal offenses. His work as a public defender helped him sharpen his litigation skills and gave him a unique insight into the Arizona criminal justice system.
Over the course of his 15-year legal career, Aaron has spent a considerable amount of time in both Arizona justice, municipal, state and federal courts. He has argued over 50 jury trials, tried over 100 bench trials and has become one of the highest-rated criminal and DUI defense attorneys in Phoenix and the surrounding areas. He has received a 10/10 rating from the legal directory Avvo because of his legal background and successful case record. Since 2014, he has received the Super Lawyer rating for his work as a Phoenix DUI and criminal defense attorney.
You can review Aaron’s Attorney Bio page for more information about his background, education and experience as a Phoenix DUI and criminal defense attorney.
