Initial appearance court (Intake, Transfer and Release)
The first court date after an arrest, within 24 hours. Release conditions, including any no-contact order, are set here.
2670 S. 28th Dr., Phoenix, AZ 85009
Mesa extreme DUI defense
Extreme DUI Lawyer in Mesa, AZ
The number on the report is where the defense starts.
A breath or blood number of 0.15 or higher after a Mesa traffic stop can make it feel as though the case was decided before you ever reached a courtroom. There is talk of mandatory jail, an interlock on your car and an arraignment on 1st Avenue, and a separate license deadline is already running.
We can help. Nova Law Group was built by a former Maricopa County Attorney's Office felony prosecutor. We prepare every case as if it is going to trial, and we take a meticulous, aggressive approach, fighting from every angle, because the report is only one side of the story.
Talk to us before you talk to anyone else. Call (480) 405-6767. Consultations are free and confidential, and the earlier we are involved, the more we can do.
FounderRyan TaitFormer Maricopa County Attorney's Office felony prosecutorMeet Ryan →★ 5-star reviewsFormer felony prosecutorAvailable after hoursFlat fee on most criminal casesFree, confidential consultation
Extreme DUI Lawyer in Mesa, AZ
Where Mesa extreme DUI cases start
Alcohol levels
0.08 is DUI, 0.15 is extreme DUI and 0.20 is the top extreme tier, under A.R.S. § 28-1381 and § 28-1382.
MVD deadline
30 days to request a hearing on the license suspension, under A.R.S. § 28-1385.
City DUI
Most Mesa DUI cases are misdemeanors in Mesa Municipal Court, 250 E. 1st Ave.
Aggravated DUI
A felony under A.R.S. § 28-1383, prosecuted by the County Attorney in Superior Court in downtown Phoenix.
On a Mesa extreme DUI, the agency behind the stop shapes almost everything after it: the prosecutor, the courthouse and where the test records are kept. Inside city limits that is usually Mesa Police, whose Traffic Section lists dedicated DUI officers, volunteers who help run its DUI Van, and responsibility for DUI training department wide. A Mesa Police misdemeanor usually goes to the City Prosecutor and Mesa Municipal Court. Troopers patrol US-60, Loop 202 and Loop 101 and their ramps, and an arrest by DPS can send the misdemeanor to a justice court on Javelina Avenue instead.
The number on a Mesa case has a local paper trail. Mesa Police runs its own forensic laboratory, which describes itself as ANAB ISO/IEC 17025 accredited and lists blood alcohol and blood drug work in its toxicology unit. When a Mesa Police blood draw is analyzed there, the analyst's notes, the instrument data and the accreditation records are city records, and they belong on the discovery request.
Not every arrest means a night in custody. Many people are tested and released with a citation that carries an arraignment date; others leave before the blood result exists, and a complaint and summons follow later. Someone held on a city charge stays at the Mesa Police holding facility until the initial appearance, which Rule 4.1 requires inside 24 hours. Either way, the court's ticket page says a criminal traffic defendant must appear on the date and time shown on the citation or complaint, and missing it can bring a warrant.
If no lawyer is involved by that date, you may find yourself weighing a plea offer with the deputy city prosecutor, who represents the State. On an extreme DUI the plea form can lock in jail days, an interlock period and assessments whose full weight is not obvious on paper.
Avoiding jail is not the same as avoiding a conviction. Whatever jail a Mesa judge requires at sentencing (the rules are on the Extreme DUI page), the conviction remains: it counts as a prior for 84 months, it carries its license and interlock effects, it can come up with employers who require driving, and it can matter in immigration review if you are not a U.S. citizen.
The license case runs on its own track, apart from anything scheduled at 1st Avenue. Under A.R.S. § 28-1385(G)(2)(c), the request for a hearing "must be received by the department within thirty days after the date of the notice," or the order of suspension becomes final. A timely request holds the suspension until the hearing. The Mesa arraignment date does not extend that window.
Extreme DUI Lawyer in Mesa, AZ
What we defend on a Mesa extreme DUI
The 0.15 tier, A.R.S. § 28-1382(A)(1)A concentration of at least 0.15 and under 0.20 within two hours of driving or actual physical control. It is a class 1 misdemeanor, so a Mesa Police case can stay at 1st Avenue. Full statute detail: Extreme DUI.A reading of 0.20 or moreA reading of 0.20 or more, § 28-1382(A)(2), still a class 1 misdemeanor no matter how high, with more jail and a longer interlock than at 0.15.Mesa DUIThe § 28-1381 count that a Mesa complaint can list beside the extreme count for the same drive. Our Mesa DUI page: Mesa DUI.Second DUIAn earlier DUI conviction inside the 84-month window, which raises the jail, fine and assessment minimums and adds a revocation of at least one year: Second DUI.Mesa aggravated duiAn extreme DUI that also carries a felony circumstance (a suspended license, a passenger under 15, an interlock requirement, wrong-way highway driving, a third violation in 84 months). That case belongs to the County Attorney: Mesa aggravated dui.Ignition InterlockIgnition interlock questions after a Mesa extreme DUI.DUI Refusal & License SuspensionThe administrative suspension and any refusal question.
Our statewide pages carry the tier table, the full minimums and the interlock arithmetic. This page is about how an extreme DUI moves through Mesa.
Penalties
From the 0.15 line to sentencing at 1st Avenue
The test, and the line it crossed
Because extreme DUI is defined by a number, the defense often begins with how the number was produced. Was the sample taken inside the two-hour window? Did any drinking happen after the driving ended? Were you allowed a reasonable opportunity for a second, independent test, as § 28-1388(C) requires? A reading close to 0.15 or 0.20 gets extra scrutiny. On a first offense, crossing 0.15 raises the minimum jail from 10 consecutive days to 30, and crossing 0.20 raises it to 45 and the MVD interlock period from 12 months to 18.
Getting the Mesa records
The City Prosecutor's Office takes discovery requests in writing by mail, email or fax, asks for the defendant's name, a delivery address and the docket or police report number, and it asks requesters to allow time for processing. On an extreme DUI that request covers the body-worn video, the processing paperwork, the breath instrument records or the lab's blood packet, and whatever fixes when the drinking stopped. Restaurant, bar and apartment complex video is a separate request to the business, and some systems overwrite quickly.
Arraignment and pretrial
The first appearance is an arraignment, and pleading not guilty sends the case to a pretrial conference where, in the court's words, discovery is reviewed and a trial or plea agreement is discussed. The courthouse is closed Friday through Sunday, so a Mesa setting should not fall on a Friday; confirm the date on your citation.
A jury, if you ask for one
Section 28-1382(C) makes the judge raise the jury option at arraignment, and a request, once made, must be granted. Mesa lists DUI among its jury-eligible charges, Superior Court sends out the summonses for Mesa jurors, and the court says its jury trials generally take one day. Its hearing page also sets a deadline for motions ahead of the initial trial date, so a challenge to the stop or the test has to be ready early.
The Javelina Avenue route
A DPS case can be heard by one of the four justice courts at the Southeast Justice Center (see the FAQ below). Those courts have published a plan to redraw precinct lines when a new West Valley court opens, and it moves some workload among the precincts that serve Mesa, so go by the court name printed on your citation rather than the part of town where you were stopped.
Paying for it in Mesa
Fines and assessments on a first extreme DUI start at $2,500, and at $2,750 for the 0.20 tier, before surcharges. Mesa Municipal Court expects court-ordered money on the day of adjudication; a payment plan has to be arranged before you leave the building, and paying over time adds a time payment fee. The court warns that a balance left unpaid past 90 days can bring default and delinquency fees, referral to the state's FARE collection program, a tax refund offset, an MVD registration hold and, on a criminal case, a warrant.
Keeping the sentence on track
Alcohol or other drug screening is a required part of the sentence under A.R.S. § 28-1387(B), and the court may add education or treatment. Mesa Municipal Court takes walk-in requests Monday through Thursday to re-order jail or counseling, which helps when a self-surrender date or a screening appointment slips.
When the case stops being a misdemeanor
The City Prosecutor's own page sends felonies that happen in Mesa to the County Attorney. A suspended license, a qualifying prior history, an interlock requirement or a child under 15 in the car can turn an extreme DUI into an aggravated DUI heard downtown, the track our Mesa aggravated DUI page follows.
Extreme DUI Lawyer in Mesa, AZ
Mesa roads these cases come from
A high reading can follow a stop almost anywhere in Mesa. Downtown Main Street, with the light rail down its center, and the Fiesta District along Southern Avenue and Alma School Road both have restaurants and bars open late. Mesa Riverview near Dobson Road and Loop 202 draws evening crowds, and the Superstition Springs area near US-60 and Power Road has a long run of restaurants. Farther east, Ellsworth and Signal Butte roads carry traffic to Eastmark and the area around Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, while Las Sendas and Red Mountain sit in the northeast corner of the city. The Traffic Section names excessive speed and impaired driving among the frequent causes of fatal collisions in the city.
The freeways change the agency. US-60 through the middle of Mesa, Loop 202 along its northern and eastern edges, and Loop 101 are commonly DPS territory, and an unincorporated county island inside Mesa's borders can involve the Sheriff's Office. Whatever the location, the agency and court printed on the ticket decide where you go.
Extreme DUI Lawyer in Mesa, AZ
A former prosecutor and a flat fee
Nova Law Group was built by Ryan Tait, a former Maricopa County Attorney's Office felony prosecutor. The practice is criminal defense first. We keep caseloads deliberately low, which means the lawyers on your case have time to actually watch the video and read the reports line by line. We take extreme DUI cases to trial when trial is the right pressure. Overcharging happens, and a case that is genuinely prepared for trial changes the conversation with the prosecutor. On a high-number case that preparation includes the lab and instrument records behind the result, not only the result. Most criminal cases are quoted as a flat fee. Consultations are free and confidential.
Former felony prosecutorBuilt by a former Maricopa County Attorney's Office felony prosecutor.
Low caseloadsTime to watch the video and read the reports line by line.
Ready for trialA case prepared for trial changes the conversation with the prosecutor.
Flat feeMost criminal cases are quoted as a flat fee. Consultations are free and confidential.
Our office
Meet us on Camelback Road
Office: 4455 E. Camelback Rd., Suite C250, Phoenix, AZ 85018. We appear in the Mesa courts regularly. Mesa clients meet with us in Phoenix by appointment; there is no Mesa office.
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Resources
Mesa courts and official links
Where a Mesa case is heard depends on the charge and the agency. Some courts are in Mesa and some are in downtown Phoenix. Each card has directions and the official website, so you can check details before you go.
Mesa Municipal Court
City misdemeanors, from arraignment to trial. Monday to Thursday, 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Closed Fridays. Public parking garage at 30 S. Pomeroy.
250 E. 1st Ave., Mesa, AZ 85210Maricopa County Superior Court, downtown
Felony cases prosecuted by the County Attorney. Confirm the building on your current notice.
Central Court Building, 201 W. Jefferson St., and South Court Tower, 175 W. Madison St., Phoenix, AZ 85003Southeast Justice Center
Home of the East Mesa, North Mesa, West Mesa and Highland Justice Courts. A misdemeanor reported by DPS or a Sheriff's deputy can land here. Your citation names the court.
222 E. Javelina Ave., Mesa, AZ 85210Laws cited on this page
- A.R.S. § 28-1385, Administrative license suspension for driving under the influence or for homicide or assault involving a motor vehicle
- A.R.S. § 28-1382, Driving or actual physical control while under the extreme influence of intoxicating liquor
Common questions
Mesa extreme DUI questions
A Mesa Police blood draw can be analyzed in the department's own accredited laboratory, which makes the records behind the number city records that can be requested through the City Prosecutor. Whether the result holds up turns on details: how long after the driving the blood was drawn, how it was stored and tested, and whether you had a chance to get your own test. A reading barely over 0.15 deserves a careful look, since the tier sets the jail minimum. No one can promise it moves.
Yes, if you ask. The extreme DUI statute requires the judge to advise you of that right at arraignment and to grant a request once it is made. Mesa Municipal Court lists DUI among its jury-eligible charges, Superior Court summons the jurors, and the court says its jury trials generally take a single day. Whether a jury is the right choice is a strategy call that comes after the evidence has been reviewed.
Because a DPS misdemeanor can be heard in a justice court rather than Mesa Municipal Court. Four justice courts share the Southeast Justice Center at 222 E. Javelina Ave., each in its own suite: Highland in A, North Mesa in B, East Mesa in C and West Mesa in D. They keep Monday through Friday hours. The charge there is the same class 1 misdemeanor, with the same tiers and the same MVD deadline.
No one can answer that honestly before the evidence has been reviewed. Each tier carries a mandatory minimum, and how much of it is actually served turns on the tier the State proves, your record and the terms the judge sets at sentencing. Our statewide pages walk through those sentencing rules: Extreme DUI for the 0.15 tier and Super Extreme DUI for 0.20 and up. Whether the extreme count itself survives is a separate question that depends on the testing.
The MVD action does not wait for the court. If the officer took your license, you should have received a temporary permit good for 30 days under § 28-1385(F). A hearing request has to reach MVD within thirty days after the date of the notice under § 28-1385(G)(2)(c), and a timely request stays the suspension until the hearing. If that window closes, the suspension can become final regardless of how the Mesa case ends.
Before the arraignment date on your citation or the end of the thirty-day MVD window, whichever comes first. If you had a blood draw and have not been charged yet, call now: the lab result may still be pending, and that is often when the most can be done. If someone is being held on a city charge, call today. (480) 405-6767.
Extreme DUI Lawyer in Mesa, AZ
Reach us before the Mesa arraignment
Call (480) 405-6767. If someone is in custody, your MVD notice is already a couple of weeks old, or your arraignment is this week, phone us instead of sending the form.
Nova Law Group, PLLC, 4455 E. Camelback Rd., Suite C250, Phoenix, AZ 85018. Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., by appointment.
Client reviews
Hear What Our Clients Say
From our Google reviews, plus Yelp and Avvo. These are clients’ own words, reproduced from our review profiles.
★★★★★
“These guys are the best attorneys in all of Arizona. It is definitely the most professional group of lawyers… I recommend this firm!”
★★★★★
“Sydney was extremely thorough regarding every single detail of my criminal case… it ultimately resulted in a clear and powerful win for my case.”
★★★★★
“They fought tirelessly for my case and helped me achieve a favorable outcome. Exceptional service and results.”
★★★★★
“The firm provided me with the most professional legal representation possible. Mr. Ryan Tait patiently explained… beyond my expectations.”
★★★★★
“The best law firm that I have ever dealt with. The amount of passion & commitment that they dedicated for my case… truly what separated them from other law firms.”
★★★★★
“Oh my goodness, our lawyer Ryan Tait was amazing. He does what he says he’s going to do. A very patient lawyer… He’s a miracle worker.”
★★★★★
“I was being charged with a few felony counts and facing a few years in prison… I made the best choice of my life calling this law firm.”
★★★★★
“…they reached out to one of their attorneys and confirmed my suspicions; I’ve been worried this whole time about criminal charges, they put my fears to rest. HIGHLY recommend them.”
★★★★★
“Helpful and clear direction in a time of uncertainty. Highly recommended.”
★★★★★
“Ryan Tait was amazing and really helpful. I would recommend him.”
★★★★★
“If you’re looking for a law group that truly cares about you and makes a difficult situation less stressful, these are your people… Alexis was my lawyer, and she was truly heaven-sent.”
★★★★★
“Alexis Brooks was my lawyer… She was extremely professional yet down to earth and always made me feel at ease and confident in my case. I would definitely recommend her for anyone that needs an excellent defense attorney.”
★★★★★
“Spectacular representation! Sydney was very compassionate, diligent and professional. I can’t recommend enough.”
★★★★★
“…Ryan and his team are kind, understanding, and very good listeners. Each member of his team was well educated, knowledgable and very professional.”
★★★★★
“We hired Mr. Tait to handle a legal affair for a member of our family. It was a complex criminal case that required over two years of work! Through the entire effort, Mr. Tait kept us informed…”
★★★★★
“My family hired Ryan Tait to fight for my family member… He went over all the pros and cons. He answered all our questions and calls. He knows what he is doing.”
★★★★★
“Ryan is absolutely awesome and professional. He gave me all detailed advice I needed. He is nice and patient. I definitely recommend Ryan and his law firm!”
★★★★★
“Very good at what they do… they were always on top of everything didn’t really have to do much they took care of everything…”
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“These guys are great!! They did a great job on my case, super consistent and helpful. Definitely will recommend them to anyone.”
★★★★★
“Excellent lawyers… and their honesty, and they helped me even though I do not live in Arizona.”
Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Reseñas de clientes
Lo que dicen nuestros clientes
De nuestras reseñas en Google, además de Yelp y Avvo. Son las palabras de nuestros clientes, tomadas de nuestros perfiles de reseñas y traducidas del inglés.
★★★★★
“Son los mejores abogados de todo Arizona. Sin duda es el grupo de abogados más profesional… ¡Recomiendo esta firma!”
★★★★★
“Sydney fue sumamente minuciosa con cada detalle de mi caso penal… al final, eso resultó en una victoria clara y contundente para mi caso.”
★★★★★
“Lucharon incansablemente por mi caso y me ayudaron a lograr un resultado favorable. Servicio y resultados excepcionales.”
★★★★★
“La firma me brindó la representación legal más profesional posible. El Sr. Ryan Tait me explicó con paciencia… más allá de mis expectativas.”
★★★★★
“La mejor firma de abogados con la que he tratado. La pasión y el compromiso que dedicaron a mi caso… es lo que realmente los distinguió de otras firmas.”
★★★★★
“¡Dios mío, nuestro abogado Ryan Tait fue increíble! Cumple lo que dice que va a hacer. Un abogado muy paciente… Hace milagros.”
★★★★★
“Me acusaban de varios cargos por delitos graves y me enfrentaba a unos años de prisión… Tomé la mejor decisión de mi vida al llamar a esta firma.”
★★★★★
“…se comunicaron con uno de sus abogados y confirmaron mis sospechas; había estado preocupado todo este tiempo por posibles cargos penales, y calmaron mis temores. Los recomiendo MUCHÍSIMO.”
★★★★★
“Orientación útil y clara en un momento de incertidumbre. Muy recomendables.”
★★★★★
“Ryan Tait fue increíble y de gran ayuda. Lo recomendaría.”
★★★★★
“Si busca un despacho que de verdad se preocupe por usted y haga que una situación difícil sea menos estresante, esta es su gente… Alexis fue mi abogada, y fue una verdadera bendición.”
★★★★★
“Alexis Brooks fue mi abogada… Fue sumamente profesional y a la vez sencilla, y siempre me hizo sentir tranquilo y seguro con mi caso. Sin duda la recomendaría a cualquiera que necesite una excelente abogada defensora.”
★★★★★
“¡Representación espectacular! Sydney fue muy compasiva, diligente y profesional. No puedo recomendarla lo suficiente.”
★★★★★
“…Ryan y su equipo son amables, comprensivos y saben escuchar. Cada miembro de su equipo demostró estar bien preparado, con conocimiento y gran profesionalismo.”
★★★★★
“Contratamos al Sr. Tait para encargarse de un asunto legal de un miembro de nuestra familia. Fue un caso penal complejo que requirió más de dos años de trabajo. Durante todo el proceso, el Sr. Tait nos mantuvo informados…”
★★★★★
“Mi familia contrató a Ryan Tait para luchar por un familiar… Nos explicó todos los pros y los contras. Respondió todas nuestras preguntas y llamadas. Sabe lo que hace.”
★★★★★
“Ryan es absolutamente increíble y profesional. Me dio todos los consejos detallados que necesitaba. Es amable y paciente. ¡Sin duda recomiendo a Ryan y a su bufete!”
★★★★★
“Muy buenos en lo que hacen… siempre estuvieron al tanto de todo; casi no tuve que hacer nada, ellos se encargaron de todo…”
★★★★★
“¡Son excelentes! Hicieron un gran trabajo en mi caso, muy constantes y serviciales. Sin duda los recomendaré a cualquiera.”
★★★★★
“Excelentes abogados… y su honestidad y eso que me ayudaron que yo no vivo en Arizona”
Los resultados anteriores no garantizan un resultado similar.
Talk to a Mesa criminal defense lawyer
If you have been arrested, charged, or contacted by a detective in Mesa, the decisions you make in the first few days matter. We defend misdemeanors in Mesa Municipal Court and the Mesa-area justice courts, and felonies in Maricopa County Superior Court downtown.
Free, confidential consultation: (480) 405-6767
Prefer not to call? Send us your case details and a member of our team will follow up with you.
Mesa courts
- Mesa Municipal CourtMisdemeanors from inside Mesa city limits. Monday to Thursday, 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; closed Fridays.250 E. 1st Ave., Mesa, AZ 85210Court website Directions
- Southeast Justice CenterEast Mesa, North Mesa, West Mesa and Highland Justice Courts. Your citation names the court.222 E. Javelina Ave., Mesa, AZ 85210Court website Directions
- Maricopa County Superior CourtFelonies, at the downtown criminal court complex.Central Court Building, 201 W. Jefferson St., and South Court Tower, 175 W. Madison St., Phoenix, AZ 85003Court website Directions
Our office: Nova Law Group, PLLC, 4455 E. Camelback Rd., Suite C250, Phoenix, AZ 85018. Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., by appointment. Directions
Hable con un abogado de defensa penal en Mesa
Si lo arrestaron, lo acusaron o un detective lo contactó en Mesa, las decisiones que tome en los primeros días importan. Defendemos delitos menores en la Corte Municipal de Mesa y en las cortes de justicia del área de Mesa, y delitos graves en la Corte Superior del Condado de Maricopa en el centro de Phoenix.
Consulta gratuita y confidencial: (480) 405-6767
¿Prefiere no llamar? Envíenos los detalles de su caso y un miembro de nuestro equipo se comunicará con usted.
Cortes de Mesa
- Corte Municipal de MesaDelitos menores dentro de los límites de Mesa. De lunes a jueves, de 7:00 a.m. a 6:00 p.m.; cerrada los viernes.250 E. 1st Ave., Mesa, AZ 85210Sitio de la corte Cómo llegar
- Southeast Justice CenterCortes de justicia East Mesa, North Mesa, West Mesa y Highland. Su citación indica la corte.222 E. Javelina Ave., Mesa, AZ 85210Sitio de la corte Cómo llegar
- Corte Superior del Condado de MaricopaDelitos graves, en el complejo penal del centro.Central Court Building, 201 W. Jefferson St., and South Court Tower, 175 W. Madison St., Phoenix, AZ 85003Sitio de la corte Cómo llegar
Nuestra oficina: Nova Law Group, PLLC, 4455 E. Camelback Rd., Suite C250, Phoenix, AZ 85018. De lunes a viernes, de 8:00 a.m. a 6:00 p.m., con cita previa. Cómo llegar
RecognitionReconocimientos
Awards and ratingsPremios y calificaciones
Awards and ratings reflect the standards of the organizations that issue them. They do not predict the outcome of any case.Los premios y las calificaciones reflejan los criterios de las organizaciones que los otorgan. No predicen el resultado de ningún caso.