Court of Appeals DUI Ruling Under Review

A Court of Appeals ruling that allowed the use of blood alcohol test results in nearly a dozen DUI cases is under review by the Arizona Supreme Court.

The BAC tests were conducted by a Scottsdale crime lab that was the subject of controversy regarding testing protocols. A Maricopa County judge ruled that the BAC results were inadmissible due to the lack of reliability of testing equipment, but the Court of Appeals overturned that decision.

Because the lower court ruled that the blood tests were inadmissible, the charges against the accused drivers might have been dismissed. However, the Court of Appeals ruled that the results were admissible and lifted a hold on those cases, allowing them to proceed to trial. Now, the Arizona Supreme Court will review both decisions and hand down a verdict on the admissibility of the blood alcohol results.

Tougher DUI Laws in Arizona

Arizona has some of the toughest DUI laws in the nation. Even if it is your first DUI offense, you face at least one day in jail and could be required to serve as many as ten, depending on the judge and the circumstances of your DUI. Higher blood alcohol levels or subsequent arrests may lead to even more serious penalties. If you have already been charged with a DUI and are arrested again, you could spend 30 days in jail if convicted.

Those charged with extreme DUI who have a BAC .15 percent or higher face longer jail terms. For example, if you are convicted of your second extreme DUI conviction, you will spend at least 120 days in jail.

When someone is injured or killed due to your actions while driving drunk, you may face felony charges and years in prison. Along with jail time, those charged with a DUI also face expensive fines, potential probation and loss of driver’s license for a period of time.

DUI Defense in Arizona

Because the laws in Arizona are so tough, and because it is your right, you should always ask for legal counsel if you are arrested. When fighting a DUI charge in Arizona, it is important to have a professional, aggressive and trustworthy defense attorney on your side. Alex Lane, a criminal defense attorney in Phoenix, provides professional, zealous and affordable legal help for those facing DUI and other charges.

Alex Lane is a DUI defense lawyer who has years of experience to help you build the best defense possible. Along with helping you build your defense, Alex Lane can negotiate a plea or prepare for trial and aggressively represent you in court. When you choose the Law Offices of Alex Lane, you can rest assured that you have the right experience and skill on your side.