New Year's 2018, Celebrate safely or gain a cell mate
by
Aaron Black • December 29, 2017
Once again we are at the predawn of a New Year in Phoenix. From dinner and dancing to drinking and driving if you’re not careful the only fireworks you could see are the red and blue ones in your rear view mirror.As you know Arizona takes drinking and driving very seriously in fact we have some of the harshest penalties in the nation. In fact even if you are facing a first time DUI charge you could end up serving jail time, enormous monetary fines and the IID (Ignition Interlock Device.)
2016 DUI statistics
Every year those who don’t head warning end up facing jail time, stiff fines and their livelihood being regulated by an Ignition interlock device. In 2016 alone there were over 2,000 drunk drivers arrested in Arizona during the 2016 holiday many of which could have been avoided if they would have chosen to catch a ride home by calling Uber, Lyft or a taxi, better yet designating a driver before the celebrations begin is an even better solution.Don’t insert the key!
Did you know that you can be charged with a DUI simply by having your keys in the ignition while being drunk, even if the reason is as harmless as turning on the radio or rolling down a window? By inserting the key you would be placing yourself in “actual physical control” of your car which means that you could cause harm to yourself and your passengers.According to a Supreme Court ruling in State of Arizona v. Zavala, 136 Ariz. 356, 666 P.2d 456 (1983) “The interpretation we place on the legislature’s imprecise language is compelled by our belief that it is reasonable to allow a driver, when he believes his driving is impaired, to pull completely off the highway, turn the key off and sleep until he is sober, without fear of being arrested for being in control. To hold otherwise might encourage a drunk driver, apprehensive about being arrested, to attempt to reach his destination while endangering others on the highway.”
What’s the bottom line?
Below are a few tips on what you should and should not do if you are pulled over for DUI in Phoenix.- When asked provide your personal information and license
- If the Police officer asks if you have been drinking, don’t answer any questions and immediately ask for a lawyer
- Comply if asked to get out of your car
- If the officer asks you to do a field sobriety test (following a pen, balancing on one leg or walk a straight line), respectfully refuse the test and ask for your lawyer
- If asked to blow into his portable breath machine (PBT). Respectfully refuse and ask for your lawyer
- The officer will take you back to the station and want your blood. There is something in Arizona called Admin Per Se. If you give the blood, your license will be suspended for 90 days. If you refuse to give blood your license will be revoked for one year. Ask to speak with your lawyer immediately. If you refuse, the police will simply call a judge, get a warrant, hold you down, and take your blood by force
- Always demand an independent blood test
Help is available at any time of the day or night
At the Law Office of Aaron Black we understand that good people sometimes find themselves in bad situations. If unfortunately you are arrested for a DUI during your New Year celebrations, as always I am available 24 hours a day.At the Law Office of Aaron Black we offer the following.
- Personal legal representation
- Aggressively defend you in court against the DUI charges
- Defends individuals in all Arizona federal, state and city courts
- Complete understanding of the intricacies of DUI laws
- Familiar with the court system and how to navigate the complex administration procedures
- Representing clients in Phoenix and surrounding areas that include Apache Junction, Avondale, Chandler, Gilbert, Glendale, Goodyear, Mesa, Peoria, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Surprise, and Tempe, Arizona
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.
