DUI Lawyer
A drunk driving conviction can change your life. You need a skilled DUI attorney in Tucson, AZ, who can guide you through the legal process and contest your charges. St. Louis Huffman Law can give your case the attention it deserves and help you avoid steep fines, jail time, and driver's license suspension.
DUI Attorneys Who Know the Science
of Blood Alcohol Tests
Attorney Joseph P. St. Louis began independently studying the science of blood alcohol tests after a lab analyst refused to answer his questions.
Even though he doesn't have a forensic science degree, Mr. St. Louis felt that a deeper knowledge of blood testing would give his clients an edge in DUI cases. He eventually earned certification from the National College for DUI Defense as part of his tireless efforts.
Now, Mr. St. Louis teaches other attorneys about blood testing and blood samples. This helps his legal peers think critically about the evidence authorities present and how that evidence is presented.
Our team can break down the complexities of blood testing for the jury and explain any critical errors to them in a way they'll understand.
The Truth Regarding
DUI Charges
Misconception:
“If there's a blood test result, your guilt is a foregone conclusion.”
Facts:
Until proven in court, the results of a blood test are just numbers on a piece of paper. There are multiple factors that could affect the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) results, including human error, improper handling of a blood sample, and equipment miscalibration.
Our law firm helped a client get his DUI charges completely dismissed even though a blood test said his BAC was .27.
Facing a Potential DUI Conviction? Contact Our Drunk Driving Attorneys in Tucson, AZ
Whether you've been charged with a felony or misdemeanor, you need St. Louis Huffman Law on your side. Our Arizona drunk driving lawyers have helped clients avoid jail time, fines, driver's license suspension, and other penalties associated with DUI charges.
Joseph P. St. Louis and Ryan Huffman know how to dispute flawed BAC testing and communicate that information to juries in a compelling way. They've helped many clients beat their charges in Pima, Pinal, and Maricopa Counties. Let them get the job done for you.
To set up a free consultation with our skilled criminal defense attorneys, contact our Tucson law firm today.
We Can Get Your Charges Dropped or Reduced Meaningful Results for an Arizona DUI Case
"A family member made a mistake. DUI and other things involved meant they were charged with a serious felony…
"Joe St. Louis is very personable. He made us feel like family instantly, which was what we needed at the time, but he also told us the truth... Joe is very accomplished but humble, and he has the ability to connect to people in the court system staff, judges, etc…
"After an extended period of time, the charges were reduced to a misdemeanor DUI. We were so fortunate." Neal Caffrey
DUI Laws in Arizona DUI, Extreme DUI, and Aggravated DUI
In Arizona, you can be charged with driving under the influence if you operate a motor vehicle with a BAC of .08 or higher. Arizona DUI laws also apply to drivers under the influence of marijuana or other drugs and controlled substances.
Arizona has more severe legal penalties for people who drive under the influence with a high BAC. You can face extreme DUI charges if you operate a vehicle with a BAC of .15 or higher. Penalties increase for BAC in excess of 0.2.
Aggravated DUI charges apply when someone drives with a suspended, revoked, or canceled license; drives with a passenger under 15 in the vehicle; commits their third DUI in 84 months; or refuses to use their ignition interlock device.
Zero-Tolerance Laws for
Drivers Under 21 Years Old
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Arizona applies zero-tolerance laws to its underage drivers. If you are under 21 years old, you can be charged with a DUI if you have any traceable amount of alcohol in your system.
Arizona's Implied Consent Law What Are My Rights When I Get Pulled Over?
The implied consent law obligates anyone driving in Arizona to consent to a chemical test if an officer arrests the person for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
A chemical test can be a blood, breath, urine, or other bodily substance test to determine the blood alcohol content or blood drug content. Law enforcement officials have the discretion to decide the type of test, or tests, you must take.
The Officer Must Have Probable Cause
To require that you submit to a breath or blood test, the officer must have probable cause to believe you were driving while intoxicated on drugs or alcohol, or that you were under the age of 21 and drove after drinking alcohol.
A skilled DUI attorney can assess if an officer actually had probable cause for a traffic stop. If there was no probable cause, a DUI lawyer can use that to dispute the charges against you.
The Truth Regarding
DUI Charges
Misconception:
"If the police say you're guilty of drunk driving, you're guilty."
Facts:
A DUI charge can be disputed regardless of what the police claim. Every DUI client we've worked with looked guilty based on the police report alone, but that was not the whole story.
Until the charges against you are argued in court, a DUI conviction is not a done deal.
First-Offense DUI Penalties
in the State of Arizona
A first DUI offense in Arizona is a Class 1 misdemeanor, punishable by a minimum jail sentence of 10 days, fines worth more than $1,250, and driver's license suspension for at least 90 days.
If a person's BAC is between .15 and .199, a first extreme DUI conviction carries a minimum jail term of 30 days and fines of more than $2,500.
If a person's BAC is at least .20, a first extreme DUI can result in a minimum 45-day jail sentence and fines exceeding $2,750.
Additional Consequences
In addition to the legal penalties above, a DUI conviction can lead to increased insurance premiums and have a negative impact on your employment opportunities. You need a skilled DUI lawyer in Tucson to fight these charges so they can be dropped or reduced.
Can I Refuse a
Chemical DUI Test?
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You can refuse a chemical test, but if you do, you face a 12-month suspension of your driving privileges. You can get a restricted driver's license after 90 days if you complete an alcohol evaluation and put an ignition interlock device (IID) in any vehicle that you drive. If the arresting officer believes that you are refusing to provide a blood or breath sample, the officer must inform you of the consequences of refusal.
DUI with an Out-of-State
Driver's License
If you have an out-of-state driver’s license and are a charged with a DUI in Arizona, the state’s Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) cannot suspend your driver’s license. However, the MVD will suspend your right to drive in Arizona for the period of suspension.
The state where your driver’s license was issued may take their own action against your license based on Arizona’s suspension of your driving privileges.
Arizona Can Count on Our DUI Defense Lawyers
Hathaway Steve
Tucson, AZ
2023
Excellent firm. Professional and a must if you are accused of an offense. They defended me all the way through to a trial resulting in a full acquittal.
View On GoogleRene Sanchez
Tucson, AZ
2023
Highly recommend Mr. Huffman as a DWI defense lawyer. After an arduous legal battle, he was able to get all charges against me dismissed.
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