Arizona has some of the strictest DUI laws in the country.
Even a first-time DUI comes with mandatory jail time, and the penalties only get worse from there.
Matthew Lopez Law defends DUI cases throughout Lake Havasu and Mohave County. We know how to challenge field sobriety tests, breathalyzer results, and blood tests. We fight for dismissals and reduced charges.
Call us 24/7 for a free consultation. We offer affordable payment plans, and we can start your case with very little money down.
Arizona DUI Laws: What You Need to Know
Under Arizona law (ARS 28-1381), you can be arrested for DUI if:
- You are impaired to the slightest degree by alcohol or drugs, or
- Your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is 0.08 or higher
It does not matter if you feel fine or if you think you are driving normally. If your BAC is over the legal limit, you can be arrested.
Extreme DUI and Super Extreme DUI
Arizona has two enhanced DUI charges:
- Extreme DUI: BAC of 0.15 to 0.19
- Super Extreme DUI: BAC of 0.20 or higher
These charges come with longer jail sentences and higher fines, even on a first offense.
Penalties for DUI in Lake Havasu
First-Time Regular DUI (BAC 0.08 to 0.149)
- 10 days in jail (9 days suspended if you complete alcohol classes)
- Fines and fees around $1,500
- Driver’s license suspension for 90 days
- Ignition interlock device for 1 year
- Alcohol screening and classes
First-Time Extreme DUI (BAC 0.15 to 0.199)
- 30 days in jail (21 days suspended with classes)
- Fines around $2,700
- Driver’s license suspension for 90 days
- Ignition interlock device for 1 year
First-Time Super Extreme DUI (BAC 0.20+)
- 45 days in jail (31 days suspended with classes)
- Fines around $3,200
- Driver’s license suspension for 90 days
- Ignition interlock device for 18 months
Second DUI Within 7 Years
- 90 days in jail (60 days suspended with classes)
- Fines around $3,500
- Driver’s license revoked for 1 year
- Ignition interlock device for 2 years
- 30 hours of community service
Aggravated DUI (Felony)
You can be charged with aggravated DUI (a felony) if:
- This is your third DUI within 7 years
- You were driving on a suspended, revoked, or restricted license
- You had a child under 15 in the car
- You were required to have an ignition interlock device and did not have one
Aggravated DUI is a class 4 felony with a minimum of 4 months in prison.
How DUI Arrests Happen in Lake Havasu
Most DUI arrests in Lake Havasu happen the same way:
1. The Traffic Stop
Officers pull you over for a traffic violation—speeding, weaving, running a stop sign—or they see you leaving a bar or restaurant.
2. The Officer Looks for Signs of Impairment
Once they approach your car, they are looking for:
- Smell of alcohol
- Slurred speech
- Bloodshot eyes
- Open containers
3. Field Sobriety Tests
If the officer suspects you are impaired, they will ask you to perform field sobriety tests:
- Walk and turn
- One leg stand
- Horizontal gaze nystagmus (follow the pen with your eyes)
You do not have to take these tests. They are voluntary, and they are designed to make you fail.
4. Breath or Blood Test
If the officer arrests you for DUI, they will ask you to submit to a breath or blood test.
Arizona has implied consent laws, which means that by driving in Arizona, you have agreed to chemical testing if you are arrested.
If you refuse, you face:
- Automatic driver’s license suspension for 1 year
- The officer can get a warrant and force a blood draw
- Your refusal can be used against you in court
In most cases, it is better to take the test and let us challenge the results later.
Defenses to DUI Charges
We defend DUI cases by attacking every part of the prosecution’s case.
No Reasonable Suspicion to Stop
Officers need reasonable suspicion to pull you over.
If they stopped you without a valid reason, any evidence gathered after the stop can be suppressed.
Field Sobriety Tests Are Unreliable
Field sobriety tests are not accurate indicators of impairment.
They are designed to be performed on flat, dry pavement by someone who is sober and wearing appropriate footwear.
If you have:
- Back or knee problems
- Balance issues
- Were wearing heels or sandals
- Were nervous
…then the tests are even less reliable.
We challenge these tests in every DUI case.
Breathalyzer and Blood Test Errors
Breathalyzers have to be properly calibrated and maintained. Officers have to be trained in how to use them.
If there were problems with the machine or the officer’s certification, the results can be excluded.
Blood tests have to be:
- Drawn by a qualified person
- Stored properly
- Processed according to strict protocols
If the chain of custody was broken or the sample was mishandled, we argue that the results are unreliable.
Rising BAC Defense
If you had a drink just before driving, your BAC might have been under the legal limit while you were driving, but over the limit by the time you were tested 30 to 60 minutes later.
This is called the rising BAC defense, and it can be effective in cases where you were stopped shortly after your last drink.
What About the MVD?
Getting arrested for DUI triggers two separate cases:
- The criminal case in court
- The MVD case (administrative license suspension)
You have 15 days from the date of your arrest to request a hearing with the MVD to challenge the suspension of your driver’s license.
If you miss that deadline, your license will be automatically suspended.
We handle both the criminal case and the MVD hearing.
What to Do If You Are Arrested for DUI
If you are arrested for DUI in Lake Havasu, the first thing you should do is remain silent.
Do not answer questions about:
- How much you had to drink
- Where you were coming from
- When your last drink was
Officers are gathering evidence against you. Anything you say will be used in court.
After You Are Released
Call us as soon as possible.
The sooner we get involved, the more options we have. We can often negotiate with prosecutors to get charges reduced or dismissed before your case goes to trial.
Do not wait. DUI cases move quickly, and there are deadlines for challenging evidence and requesting MVD hearings.
Why Choose Matthew Lopez Law for Your Lake Havasu DUI Case
Matthew Lopez Law has been defending DUI cases in Arizona for over 16 years.
We have handled hundreds of DUI arrests, and we know how to fight these charges.
We Offer Affordable Payment Plans
We know that a DUI arrest is already expensive—impound fees, bail, lost wages.
We do not want cost to be the reason you do not get the defense you deserve.
We offer affordable payment plans, and we can start your case with very little money down.
We Are Available 24/7
DUI arrests do not just happen during business hours.
If you were arrested in Lake Havasu this weekend, call us now. We will review your case, answer your questions, and start building your defense immediately.
Call Matthew Lopez Law for a free consultation. We defend DUI cases throughout Lake Havasu and Mohave County. Affordable payment plans available. Call 24/7.