With Nearly 27,000 DUI Arrests in Arizona This Year, Phoenix DUI Lawyers Corso Law Group Urge Caution this New Year’s Eve

Nearly 27,000 DUI arrests have been made in Arizona in 2014, according to Phoenix DUI lawyers Corso Law Group, who closely monitor DUI statistics in the state.

But while that number may be down from 2013 statistics also issued by Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, the DUI lawyers at Corso Law Group that New Year’s Eve can still prove deadly for Arizona drivers.

“Late November marks the beginning of the most dangerous time to be on the roads in Arizona, said Christopher P Corso, an Arizona DUI lawyer and the founding partner in the Arizona criminal defense firm Corso Law Group. “With Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Eve packed into two months, the potential risk for drunk driving and Arizona Driving Under the Influence (DUI) arrests is much greater.”

Thanksgiving drunk driving is dangerous enough, totaling 372 DUI arrests over the four-day weekend this year. While that arrest statistic is down from 424 in 2013, the most dangerous time is yet to come, Corso said.

According to stats provided by the Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, more than 8,000 DUI arrests were made in Arizona between Thanksgiving and New Years Eve from December 2012 to early January 2014.

A total of 4,054 arrests were documented from November 23, 2012 to December 31, 2012 and 3,942 were documented from November 25, 2013 to December 31, 2013. Aggravated DUI statistics increased slightly, while extreme DUIs declined by more than 100 arrests.

In Arizona, a standard DUI is classified as driving with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08 percent or more or 0.04 percent in a commercial vehicle. If the driver is younger than 21 years old, a zero tolerance law takes effect. An extreme DUI is classified as driving with a BAC of 0.15 percent or higher. An aggravated DUI is a DUI with a suspended license, third DUI offense within 84 months, or a DUI committed while driving with a passenger 15 years old or younger.

This is the first time in 10 years that the number of DUIs actually decreased from the previous year according to the DUI enforcement statistics released by the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety. There were around 29,000 DUI arrests in 2013, down from more than 32,000 in 2012.

“Even if the annual DUI rate has decreased, the holiday risk is ever present,” Corso said. “Unfortunately the danger is real and just as pressing this year as last, even if the numbers don’t show it.”

People let their guard down during the holidays when responsible drinking is not one of the highest priorities, Corso said.

Corso Law Group know from experience that the holidays influence the number of Arizona DUI arrests made. However, every DUI case in Arizona is different, which means, having an experienced Arizona DUI defense attorney is more important than ever.

With more than 40,000 DUI cases handled as prosecutors and defense attorneys, Corso Law Group lawyers will do everything in their power to protect and defend clients. Corso Law Group is known for its vigorous defense of clients as well as using its lawyers’ previous experience with the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office to their advantage.

To schedule a free consultation, please visit www.corsolawgroup.com or call (480) 471-4616. Corso Law Group, PLCC is located at 17470 N. Pacesetter Way Scottsdale, AZ 85255.

DUI Immunity Not Granted to Arizona Medical Marijuana Users

The Arizona Court of Appeals has ruled that medical marijuana users are not protected from DUI charges if there is any trace of marijuana or its compound in the body while driving.

Marijuana metabolites can stay in the body for weeks, but may not be significant enough to cause impairment. While these compounds may be inactive, this law still prohibits driving with any trace of marijuana in the body.

Approximately 50,000 people in Arizona use medical marijuana since the inception of the Arizona Medical Marijuana Act in 2010.

Some have argued that the act is supposed to protect medical users from DUI charges so long as they are not driving while impaired; however, a three-judge panel recently ruled against Travis Lance Darrah, who was charged with two counts of DUI for driving with the drug in his system in December 2011.

The DUI charge based on impairment was dropped, but he was convicted of charges based on the presence of marijuana compounds in the body. Darrah appealed the charge, arguing that the compounds did not cause impairment, but judges disagreed and his conviction stands, azcentral reports.

If you have a medical marijuana prescription and are arrested on suspicion of driving while impaired, call the Arizona DUI defense lawyers at Corso Law Group right away at (480) 471-4616.

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