Scottsdale DUI Survival Guide

The first 24-48 hours of your arrest are crucial with regarding to your criminal defense. Many people arrested for DUI feel polarized and overwhelmed by the events. Below are proactive steps you can take which will enable you to regain control of the situation, your future and freedom. They will also increase your chances of getting a good outcome in your case.

10 Things to do after a Scottsdale DUI Arrest

In order to reduce the adverse impacts of your DUI, and increase the chance of getting favorable resolutions to your case, here are some things you should do:

1. Consult a Criminal Defense Attorney: Contact and retain a criminal defense firm that defends  charges in the city where you were arrested for DUI charges.
2. Prepare for your Release Conditions: If your release conditions are unjust or too harsh, attorney can move to modify the Release Conditions.
3. Get your vehicle back from impound:  If your vehicle was impounded, have it retrieved as soon as possible to avoid accumulation of daily storage fees.
4. Schedule your Arizona Motor Vehicle Department (MVD) Hearing:  If your driver’s license was suspended you have 15 days, from your arrest date to challenge the suspension. Often, your attorney will work with you on this aspect.
5. Appear for your Scheduled Court Date: If you do not have an attorney, make sure you appear for your hearing. Failure to appear (FTA) will result in a bench warrant or your arrest.
6. Document for the Police for the DUI stop, by police:  In order for the DUI stop to be lawful, police need to have “reasonable suspicion” that a violation of the law occurred or was in progress (excluding DUI task force stops). If the stop was unlawful, then was a  violation of your rights. In that event, your attorney will move to suppress any  evidence collected against you after the stop by police.
7. Resolve Tickets, Fines:  If the police also cited you for violations involving vehicle registration, license plates, or insurance, try to resolve the issues prior to your first court appearance.
8. Repair vehicle trigger problems or mechanical failures: Get necessary repairs done  on your vehicle that led to the DUI Stop. For example, replace broken windshields in driver’s side visual field; burnt out head lights, brake lights or turn signals.
9. Take photographs, document conditions, details, and location of the DUI stop and Field Sobriety Tests (FST): Photos should include landscaping, testing location; barriers, obstacles, stop signs, or traffic signals.  If  FSTs were conducted, try to recall and document weather conditions; lighting; landscaping; physical limitations; disabilities, or impairments you suffered from during the FST.  Some locations are not suitable, and some people are not good candidates for Field Sobriety Testing. If a Field Sobriety Test was conducted despite unfavorable conditions, the validity of the FST results may be challenged.  
10. Document a detailed narrative of all events before, during and following your DUI stop, and arrest. Details can fade with time. For this reason, you should try to put together a narrative of events, conversations, questions, and answers that took place between you and the police; You should also document food and drink consumed within 24-48 hours of the stop; medications or drugs taken; names of witnesses, if known; DUI or Drug chemical or blood tests conducted. There are many facets of defenses that surround these charges, and challenges often arise from those details.