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
Tempe extreme DUI defense
Extreme DUI Lawyer in Tempe, AZ
The number on the report is where the defense starts.
A reading of .15 or more turns a Tempe DUI into something heavier overnight: a jail minimum measured in weeks, a car held at a tow yard, and a license notice that starts its own countdown. It can feel as if the number already decided everything. It did not. A number is evidence, and evidence has to hold up.
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 Tempe, AZ
Tempe extreme DUI: the court, the car and the deadlines
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
A misdemeanor DUI from inside Tempe is heard in Tempe Municipal Court, 140 E. Fifth Street.
Aggravated DUI
A felony under A.R.S. § 28-1383, prosecuted by the County Attorney in Superior Court in downtown Phoenix.
A high number does not make this a felony. Under A.R.S. 28-1382, the extreme tier begins at .15 and stops short of .20, for a concentration found within two hours after driving or being in actual physical control; at .20 the super extreme tier takes over. Both are class 1 misdemeanors. That is why a Tempe Police extreme DUI is generally a city case: the Criminal Division of the Tempe City Attorney's Office prosecutes misdemeanors arising in Tempe and lists DUI complaints among its work, and the case is heard at Tempe Municipal Court on Fifth Street.
The agency on the citation can move it. A trooper on Interstate 10 or Loop 202, or a Sheriff's deputy, can start a case that ends up in a Maricopa County justice court instead. Same tiers, same jury right, same MVD deadline; different courthouse. The court printed on the paperwork is the one to follow.
The car is its own problem. Tempe's Vehicle Impound Unit lists extreme DUI under the state's 20-day tow law, so a vehicle taken after a Tempe extreme DUI arrest can be held for that period. The city takes hearing requests through a Post Storage Hearing Message Line (480-350-8465), by email to [email protected], or in person at the Tempe Police Apache Substation, 1855 E. Apache Blvd., weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. by appointment. It also charges an administrative fee that is separate from the tow company's towing and storage charges.
Anyone kept in custody must see a judge within a day: Rule 4.1 of the Arizona Rules of Criminal Procedure sets that 24-hour limit and requires release if it is missed. Conditions entered at that hearing can restrict driving or alcohol at once. If you were released with a citation, Tempe Municipal Court treats the appearance date on it as the arraignment.
Blood cases often start quietly. The officer may wait for the lab before a complaint is written, so the first word of the charge can come weeks later by summons. Those weeks are useful. They are when the test records, the recordings and the timeline can be pulled together before any plea is discussed.
On this charge, a plea offer deserves a slow read. The tier you plead to sets the jail minimum, and what the conviction means for your license and interlock is decided elsewhere, under rules a plea form rarely explains. Remember whom the city's prosecutor works for: the State.
Avoiding jail is not the same as avoiding a conviction. An extreme DUI conviction counts as a prior for 84 months, brings license and interlock consequences, and can come up with employers who require driving, licensing boards and immigration review. A later set-aside under A.R.S. 13-905 does not stop it from being used as a prior or by MVD.
The license runs on a separate clock. Under A.R.S. 28-1385(G)(2)(c), a request for a hearing or summary review "must be received by the department within thirty days after the date of the notice," and a timely request stays the suspension until the hearing.
The charges
Charges and side issues on a Tempe extreme DUI
- Super extreme DUI at .20 or more, A.R.S. 28-1382(A)(2), where a first conviction carries at least 45 consecutive days. The .20 page (see Super Extreme DUI) has the detail.
- A companion count under A.R.S. 28-1381. Complaints often charge the standard DUI too, and whichever count holds up decides the minimums. See our Tempe DUI page (see Tempe DUI).
- An earlier DUI inside 84 months, which raises the exposure on a new extreme count.
- Felony exposure. If the State also alleges an A.R.S. 28-1383 aggravator, for example driving on a revoked license or with a young child aboard, read the felony page.
- Device requirements after conviction, set by MVD and the court.
- A refused test, which carries its own license consequence.
Your license
From the tow yard to the trial setting
When the case is no longer a misdemeanor. A suspended license, qualifying priors, an interlock requirement, wrong-way driving or a young passenger can turn an extreme DUI into aggravated DUI. Then the County Attorney takes it downtown, where Superior Court sits in the Central Court Building, 201 W. Jefferson St., and the South Court Tower, 175 W. Madison St. Confirm the building on your current notice.
Week one
At the first meeting we put three dates on the calendar: the MVD request deadline, the arraignment and the impound. The city's impound page does not state a deadline for asking for a hearing, so we ask early rather than assume.
The arraignment and the jury
On this charge the judge has to raise the jury option at arraignment, and A.R.S. 28-1382(C) makes your request binding once you make it. Many misdemeanor defendants never get that choice, so decide it with counsel ahead of time; the evidence usually shows whether jurors or a judge should hear it.
The pretrial conference
After a not guilty plea, a Tempe misdemeanor usually goes to a pretrial conference. For virtual settings, the court wants the defense to email [email protected], with the full name and case number, no later than five business days before the conference to discuss resolution. On an extreme DUI, that conversation goes better once the test records are in hand.
The test records
Because the charge is defined by a number, the work behind the number matters most. Breath questions: the device, its maintenance and calibration history, who operated it and whether the waiting period before the test was honored. Blood questions: who drew the sample, what tube it went into, the storage and chain of custody, and the analyst's run. Arizona law, A.R.S. 28-1388(C), also gives a tested driver a reasonable chance to arrange a further test by a qualified person of their own choosing, so we ask whether that chance was real that night.
The timeline
The statute looks at the two hours after driving ends. We line up when the driving stopped, when the sample was collected and whether any drinks came afterward, because a result just over .15 or .20 sits near a line that changes the minimum jail.
Screening and sentencing
If the case ends in a conviction, the judge orders alcohol or other drug screening under A.R.S. 28-1387(B), with education or treatment if needed. For a Tempe Municipal Court case, the city says Tempe Counseling Services can do the screening and Tempe Community Supervision forwards approved proof to the court. Fines, assessments and the sentencing options for each tier are on the statewide extreme DUI page.
Extreme DUI Lawyer in Tempe, AZ
Tempe streets, freeways and the Apache Boulevard substation
A Tempe extreme DUI can follow a night around Mill Avenue or Tempe Town Lake, a dinner along Rural Road or the Kyrene corridor, or a drive across town on Broadway Road, Southern Avenue or Baseline Road. On those city streets the officer is usually Tempe Police, and the impound and court route above applies.
The freeways are different. Four of them cross or border Tempe (Interstate 10, US 60, Loop 101 and Loop 202), and a stop on one can belong to DPS, with its own recordings, test records and possibly a justice court. Apache Boulevard is worth one more mention: the Tempe Police substation that hears impound matters sits on it, at 1855 E. Apache Blvd.
Extreme DUI Lawyer in Tempe, 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 an extreme DUI we review the test records and the two-hour timeline before any plea talk, because the tier is where most of the exposure sits. 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. That is the firm's only office, and Tempe extreme DUI consultations happen there by appointment.
Loading map…
Resources
Tempe courts and official links
Where a Tempe case is heard depends on the charge and the agency. Some offices are in Tempe and some are in Phoenix. Each card has directions and the official website, so you can check details before you go.
Tempe Municipal Court
Tempe misdemeanors and criminal traffic cases, from arraignment to trial. Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Phone (480) 350-8271.
140 E. Fifth Street, Tempe, AZ 85281Maricopa 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 85003Laws cited on this page
- A.R.S. § 28-1382, Driving or actual physical control while under the extreme influence of intoxicating liquor; trial by jury
- A.R.S. § 13-905, Setting aside judgment of convicted person on discharge; application; release from disabilities
- 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. § 28-1381, Driving or actual physical control while under the influence; trial by jury; presumptions; admissible evidence
- A.R.S. § 28-1383, Aggravated driving or actual physical control while under the influence; county jail program; annual report
- A.R.S. § 28-1388, Blood and breath tests; violation; classification; admissible evidence
Common questions
Tempe extreme DUI questions
No. Both the .15 tier and the .20 tier are class 1 misdemeanors under A.R.S. 28-1382, however high the number. A Tempe Police case generally stays with the City Attorney's Criminal Division at Tempe Municipal Court. Only an added aggravating fact under A.R.S. 28-1383, a suspended license or a passenger younger than fifteen for example, turns it into a felony, and then the County Attorney takes over and the case moves to Superior Court downtown.
The city lists extreme DUI among the violations that carry a 20-day impound under state law. Its Vehicle Impound Unit takes hearing requests by voicemail on the Post Storage Hearing Message Line, 480-350-8465, where a specialist calls back within three business days, or by email to [email protected]. In-person hearings are at the Apache Substation, 1855 E. Apache Blvd., weekdays 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., by appointment only. Expect a city administrative fee on top of towing and storage.
Yes, on request. Section 28-1382(C) obliges the court to explain the jury option when you are arraigned and to grant it if you ask. Not every misdemeanor comes with that right, so the decision deserves thought before the hearing. Jurors or a judge: the choice turns on what the recordings and test records show, and we talk it through with you once we have them.
For a first conviction at the .15 tier, the statute sets a floor of 30 consecutive days; at .20 it is 45. How a sentence is structured around those floors is covered on our statewide extreme DUI page. None of it applies unless the case actually ends in an extreme DUI conviction, and weaknesses in the stop, the testing or the timeline can sometimes change how it ends, though no one can promise that.
It can be. A result close to .15 or .20 deserves a careful look, because the tier sets the minimum jail. We check when the sample was taken against the time of driving, how the breath instrument was maintained or how the blood was drawn, stored and run, and whether you were given a chance to arrange your own test. Whether the margin matters depends on the full record, which is why we gather it first.
No. The thirty days run from the date of the MVD notice. Under A.R.S. 28-1385(G)(2)(c) the request "must be received by the department within thirty days after the date of the notice," and a timely request stays the suspension until the hearing. Your arraignment on Fifth Street does not pause that window, and missing it can let the suspension become final whatever happens in court.
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…”
★★★★★
“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 Tempe criminal defense lawyer
If you have been arrested, charged, or contacted by a detective in Tempe, the decisions you make in the first few days matter. We defend misdemeanors in Tempe Municipal Court and the 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.
Tempe courts
- Tempe Municipal CourtMisdemeanors and criminal traffic cases from inside Tempe. Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.140 E. Fifth St., Tempe, AZ 85281Court website Directions
- Justice courtsSome DPS and Sheriff's Office misdemeanors. Your citation names the court.Find your court
- 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 Tempe
Si lo arrestaron, lo acusaron o un detective lo contactó en Tempe, las decisiones que tome en los primeros días importan. Defendemos delitos menores en la Corte Municipal de Tempe y en las cortes de justicia, 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 Tempe
- Corte Municipal de TempeDelitos menores y casos penales de tránsito dentro de Tempe. De lunes a viernes, de 8:00 a.m. a 5:00 p.m.140 E. Fifth St., Tempe, AZ 85281Sitio de la corte Cómo llegar
- Cortes de justiciaAlgunos delitos menores del DPS y de la Oficina del Sheriff. Su citación indica la corte.Busque su corte
- 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.