Off Duty Scottsdale Detective Investigated for DUI

Scottsdale Police are investigating Scottsdale Detective Michael Lanouar after his arrest on a DUI charge involving a crash that may have caused injuries to two people who were riding in the car that was hit. Two investigations are taking place, one for the criminal offense and the other is a Police Department internal probe.



Police said in a news release that Lanouar was off-duty driving a city-leased car at about 10 p.m. on Friday Nov. 4 when the crash occurred near Pima and Indian School roads in Scottsdale, which is not far from the Scottsdale Police Station.

Police did not state the nature or seriousness of the two injured people stating only that they were transported to a hospital.

At the outset, we must remember the presumption of innocence until proven otherwise.

Lanouar’s arrest occurred as relations between law enforcement and elements of the public is controversial.

Darren Burch, a former Phoenix police officer with 30 years of experience, told KHPO news that officers involved in criminal conduct smear the reputations of law enforcement.

Once the investigation is completed, charges can be filed if necessary. The crime of driving impaired is a Class 1 misdemeanor; but causing serious physical injuries, the charge is elevated to an aggravated assault dangerous, which carries a mandatory prison sentence of 5-15 years if convicted.

A misdemeanor charge has levels, with 0.08 percent of blood alcohol level (BAC) the baseline and the higher the BAC level is, the more serious the punishment.

Because the detective was driving a city-leased vehicle, the City of Scottsdale may be open to civil lawsuits for monetary damages.
 

Recent DUI cases involving law enforcement

David Rhodes, recently elected as Yavapai County Sheriff with 28 years of experience as a deputy, plead guilty to impaired operation of a vessel in a boat docking mishap in Augusts 2021 at Lake Powell. Rhodes in a plea agreement for two OUI misdemeanor charges was fined $500, placed on supervised probation for one year and home confinement for two days.

Cooper Lamb, who is the son of the incumbent Pinal County’s Sheriff, entered into a plea deal and is expected to be sentenced to six months in county jail for drug impaired driving and hitting a man riding a mountain bike in July 2020. The crash in San Tan Valley inflicted severe life-changing wounds.

The plea agreement is for the maximum penalty of a misdemeanor DUI. Under Arizona law the prosecution could have added an aggravated enhancement for seriously injuring the bicyclist, which would have meant a felony aggravated assault case and state prison if convicted.
 

Aggravated Dangerous penalties

Raising a DUI to the aggravated assault felony level means more severe punishments including:

• A mandatory minimum of 5-15 years in prison.
   
• Suspension of the privilege to drive.
   
• Steep fines up to six figures.
   
• A term of probation that restricts freedom.
   
• A term of community supervision (parole) when released from prison.
   

Penalties for a first-time felony Aggravated DUI conviction

A person can be charged with Aggravated DUI if:

• They received a DUI while their license was revoked, canceled or refused;
   
• They received a DUI while traveling in the wrong direction;
   
• They received a DUI while ordered to have an interlock in their vehicle; or
   
• They received a DUI while a child under the age of 15 is in their vehicle.

 
A person who is a first-time aggravated DUI defendant for driving the wrong way or having a suspended license, if convicted, can be sentenced to a mandatory minimum of four months in state prison, not county jail. The maximum prison time for a Class 4 felony is 3.75 years. After release, a lengthy term of probation for up to 10 years may be ordered by the court.

Fines and surcharges for a Class 4 felony can total $4,675.50.

In addition to imprisonment, the convicted felon can be ordered by the court to submit to substance abuse screening and must have an IID installed for at least two years to prevent the engine starting if the device registers alcohol.

Keep watching this site for updates as they occur.
 

Aaron M. Black Law for DUI Defense

During my extensive career as an aggressive DUI defense attorney, I know that good people, including this detective, can find themselves in trouble with the law and that is why I work hard to ensure that my clients have the best defense possible.

My goal is to have the case dismissed or the charge reduced.

At Aaron M. Black Law, clients receive personalized legal services at every step of the case. They always will be talking directly to me and I provide encouragement and support during the difficult episode in a defendant’s life.

If you or a loved one are charge with a DUI Begin your defense immediately by calling 480-729-1683 at any time, on any day, and I will respond promptly unless I am in court on at trial. Or use the online contact form on my website.

I defend DUI cases throughout Arizona, including Maricopa, Pinal, Yavapai, and Coconino County Superior Courts.