In our office we meet many new clients who are shocked that they are facing the kinds of penalties set by statute for Arizona DUI offenses. We often times hear clients say "if only I had known." Knowledge is power, and, as most people who have been through the drunk driving arrest process understand, ignorance can be damaging.

By the time you are reading this website, your are likely already looking at a summons, complaint or indictment for DUI or a related vehicular charge in Arizona. It is too late to change how you acted during your arrest, and too late to get back the rights you didn't assert then. However, unless you have already pled guilty to your criminal charges, it is not too late to educate yourself so that ignorance does not sharpen the impact your pending case has on your life.

Will the judge hold it against me if I plead not guilty?

In Arizona, when facing a DUI charge, you have the right to plead not guilty in court.

Arizona DUI defendants frequently ask if the Judge will hold it against them if they plead not guilty.

The answer is clearly NO.

Judges expect DUI defendants to plead not guilty, at least initially. It is part of the system, and an expected part of the process.