arizona dui

The Arizona Supreme Court is reviewing whether blood-alcohol test results from an erroneous machine at the Scottsdale crime lab can be used as evidence against several DUI cases from 2013.

A lower court previously found the BAC results to be permissible evidence in court, allowing the defendants’ cases to move forward. However, some of the defense attorneys involved disagreed with this ruling, arguing that their clients shouldn’t be subject to the results of compromised tests from untrustworthy equipment and lab staff.

In July 2013, the lab was criticized for using defective equipment to test the BAC of those arrested on suspicion of DUI in Scottsdale. Court documents indicated that Scottsdale police and lab technicians knew the machine was running on outdated software from 2009, resulting in mislabelled and inaccurate data for as many as 50 percent of samples.

Recently, Arizona’s highest court began oral debates to decide the fate of nearly a dozen DUI cases with attorneys Joe St. Louis and Lisa Marie Martin presenting their arguments before five state Supreme Court justices.

St. Louis argued against using the results as evidence in court, saying, “we don’t want drunk drivers to go free but we don’t want people who haven’t broken the law to be convicted.”

Martin represents the state, and defended the lower court’s previous decision to proceed with the DUI cases at hand because the machine was only intermittently producing mistakes.

Despite knowing about the faulty machine, tests continued to go through the lab for use in DUI cases. As a result, it’s possible that numerous people could have been wrongly convicted of DUIs due to the incorrect tests.

This possibility hasn’t been sitting well with many because Arizona’s DUI laws are some of the harshest in the nation, with a minimum of 24 hours in jail, license suspension and intense fines for all offenders, including first time offenders.

With 29,000 DUI arrests made in 2013 alone, the percentage of potential false convictions that could have been made over the years is cause for controversy.

No decisions have been made yet, but blood samples are no longer being processed on the Scottsdale machine due to staffing issues, and instead are sent to the state DPS lab, Scottsdale Police report.

St. Patrick’s Day means an increase in Arizona DUI arrests, which is why Corso Law Group warns Valley residents to enjoy the holiday responsibly or face the costly consequences.

Last St. Patrick’s Day, alcohol-fueled events and parties led to dangerous roads. Arizona DUI task forces reported 3,900 arrests over the weekend with 233 related to drunk driving. That number was up from St. Patrick’s Day weekend in 2013, when 212 DUI arrests were made.

Of the 233 people arrested in 2014, 81 reported blood-alcohol levels of 0.15 percent or higher, which is considered an extreme DUI in Arizona, and 10 were underage DUI arrests.

Drunk drivers have the potential to hurt themselves and anyone around them. The only way to prevent these types of accidents from occurring is to never drive while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

“Police departments know that holidays, especially those typically celebrated with alcohol like St. Patrick’s Day, result in an increased number of DUIs, and they’re prepared to make the extra arrests,” said Christopher P. Corso, the founding attorney of Corso Law Group.

Corso understands the threats of drinking and driving. He has experience as prosecutors for the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, working closely with DUIs, DWIs and OUIs. Combined, they have handled more than 20,000 DUI cases as prosecutors and defense attorneys.

“Knowing what could happen if you were arrested for drunk driving is an important preliminary caution that all Arizona residents should take,” Corso said.

Significant information to know for those suspected of a DUI in Arizona include the right to remain silent; only providing certain documents such as insurance, registration and identification; and refusing to submit to all field sobriety tests. Blood and alcohol tests are the only tests DUI suspects should agree to, according to an attorney at the firm.

In Arizona, DUI consequences are severe, even for first offenders. Anyone found guilty of drinking and driving is required to serve at least 24 hours in jail. Other penalties include expensive fines, suspension of driving privileges, probation and the installation of an ignition interlock device. If any damages or injuries resulted from a DUI accident, these penalties will intensify.

“A DUI offense is serious,” Corso said. “The physical dangers and legal penalties that could arise from drinking and driving should inspire people to plan ahead and stay safe on St. Patrick’s Day.”

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

The Waste Management Phoenix Open is one of the most popular PGA tour stops in the country, known for top-notch golf and even more serious partying, which has led Arizona police departments to monitor the event more closely.

“It’s become an iconic sporting event in our country,” said Dan Calihan, the 2015 Tournament Chairman. “It’s a show. It’s an event as much as it’s a golf tournament.”

Many drink all day, which is why Valley police departments from Mesa, Scottsdale, Gilbert and Tempe have joined forces the past several years to crack down on drunk driving near the event with the “Know Your Limit” campaign.

Police at the event warn attendees to find a safe way home after the Open, going as far as offering breathalyzer tests to show impaired partygoers that they can’t get behind the wheel.

The Scottsdale Police Department offered 2,100 Breathalyzer tests in 2014 and 60 DUI related arrests, Sgt. Tom Jensen said, according to ABC 15 in Phoenix. The previous year, approximately 600 tests were taken, leading to 120 arrests.

The Phoenix Open is notorious for rowdy spectators drinking at the 16th hole, where thousands of fans can get up and close and watch celebrity athletes, as well as the Coors Light Birds Nest where big-name performers take the stage several nights in a row.

“There’s no denying the Phoenix Open gathers a fun-loving crowd,” said Christopher P. Corso, founding partner of Corso Law Group. “It’s just a matter of keeping everyone safe once the events are over and done with. We help plenty of people with DUI charges after the Open, it’s our job to defend their rights.”

This year, police will continue to increase patrols and monitor DUI checkpoints near the TPC Scottsdale golf resort.

The experienced Arizona DUI lawyers at Corso Law Group are well versed in the law and will do everything in their power to fight for you and your family. If you or a loved one is facing DUI charges in Arizona, contact Corso Law Group.

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.

The arrest of ASU English professor Ersula Ore caught the nation’s attention last year, and now she’s fighting back with a $2 million claim against the university.

On May 20, 2014, Ore was arrested on charges of aggravated assault on a police officer, criminal damage, refusal to provide truthful name and obstructing a public thoroughfare. She later pleaded guilty to one count resisting arrest, and the other charges were dropped.

Ore was sentenced to nine months probation.

The notice of claims she filed in November accuses ASU Police Officer Stewart Ferrin of excessive force, false arrest and violation of her federal rights to due process, azcentral reports.

Financial, emotional and psychological damages resulted from the arrest in May, according to the claim, and Ore said she feels degraded and humiliated.

“She also continues to suffer from confusion and anxiety that she is not safe in the presence of uniformed officers,” the claim states.

Ore was crossing a street on the ASU campus in Tempe when Officer Ferrin stopped her and asked for identification. She refused to give ID and questioned why she was stopped, sparking confrontation between the two.

“Personally I’m wondering what about me seemed to be a threat, so much so that it warranted an officer touching me and violating me,” Ore said before Superior Court Commissioner Julie Mata last year.

Ore reportedly kicked the officer in the shin, and Ferrin threatened to “slam” her onto the hood of the police car.

Witnesses of the confrontation called police when the Ferrin became aggressive, throwing Ore to the ground.

The police car’s dashboard camera recorded the confrontation, and the video made national headlines leading civil groups to believe that racial profiling was involved in Ore’s arrest.

ASU recently notified Ferrin that he would be fired, but Ore’s attorney, Daniel Ortega, said his client will continue to press charges regardless of the result of Ferrin’s termination hearing.

The university is currently reviewing the claim, ASU spokesman Mark Johnson said.

The experienced attorneys at Corso Law Group understand that cases involving assault are complicated and require professional attention. Our team will hear your story and defend your rights to our best ability, all while treating you with respect every step of the way.

For help with Arizona DUI charges, please call Corso Law Group at our Phoenix office at (480) 471-4616, or reach us at our Houston office at (713) 231-0499 for Texas DWI charges.

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.

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.

Thanksgiving weekend outranks New Year’s Eve and Halloween as the most deadly weekend of the year for holiday travelers across the country according to The National Safety Council and DUI arrest data.

For many, Thanksgiving marks the beginning of the holiday season and a joyous carefree time with family and friends. However, the annual tradition often involves long commutes to visit relatives, celebratory drinking, and extended time off work. What at first glance appears to be a harmless holiday tradition can make for a dangerous combination for everyone.

Arizona DUI attorneys and former prosecutors Christopher Corso want Valley residents to keep safety in mind as they begin to travel this busy holiday season.

“Thanksgiving is an important time for travel, reconnecting with family, and enjoying holiday tradition,” Corso said. “However, few people realize that Thanksgiving is the deadliest holiday of the year when it comes to drunk driving.”

A national study conducted by The National Safety Council (NSC) reports that traffic deaths around Thanksgiving accounted for nearly 15% of all vehicle-related fatalities in November. In 2013, the NSC estimated 436 traffic-related Thanksgiving fatalities occurred through the four day holiday weekend.

Rhude believes many people let their guard down on Thanksgiving, with the day-long festivities encouraging them to not only drink more, but to assume that they haven’t had as much to drink.

“And then, of course, they get in their car and drive home,” Rhude said.

Busy roads in combination with many holiday drinking traditions make these major accidents far more common around the holidays, particularly Thanksgiving eve or “Black Wednesday.”

“Black Wednesday isn’t a day that pops up on most people’s radar, but the mixture of relatives in town, students home from school and no work the following day makes for a busy day on the roads,” Tricia Griffith, claims group president at Progressive, told USA Today.

Unfortunately the dangerous trend doesn’t stop after Thanksgiving weekend, and Corso said drivers should continue to keep these dangers in mind as they travel throughout the holiday season.

During the six weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve, nearly 4,400 people in Arizona were arrested on suspicion of drunken driving in 2013, according to The Arizona Republic. Equating to, on average, more than 730 DUI arrests each week beginning on Thanksgiving Day.

The Arizona Governor’s Office team of officers participating in the holiday crackdown found that of the 4,371 arrests, 1,098 were extreme DUIs, 450 were aggravated DUIs, 934 were drug-related DUIs, and the average blood-alcohol content was 0.15 percent.

Corso Law Group know from experience the DUI problems that arise during the Thanksgiving weekend in Arizona. Both attorneys previously prosecuted DUIs, DWIs and OUIs for the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, and have handled more than 15,000 DUI cases as prosecutors and defense attorneys.

Arizona law requires that any person found guilty of drinking and driving (even a first offense) serve jail time. And DUI convictions can also include extensive fines up to $2,500, suspension of driving privileges and the installation of an ignition interlock device – even for first offenders.

“DUI is a serious offense and something that no person should take lightly,” Corso said. “When you’re armed with the facts, the importance of a designated driver if you plan on drinking becomes even more apparent.”

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

Labor Day usually means backyard barbecues and pool parties. This year, it could mean a costly Arizona DUI charge, thanks to an increased police presence and DUI checkpoints throughout Phoenix.

Arizona law enforcement is planning to crack down on drunk drivers this Labor Day weekend. Last year, more than 2,000 officers made a total of more than 600 arrests at Arizona DUI checkpoints on Labor Day weekend.

Corso Law Group’s founding attorney Christopher P. Corso knows the dangers of DUIs. Both attorneys previously prosecuted DUIs, DWIs and OUIs for the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office. Combined, they have handled more than 15,000 DUI cases as prosecutors and defense attorneys.

“When you’re celebrating a holiday, you tend to relax your standards and don’t think twice about driving home or to the next party after having a couple of drinks,” Corso said. “That can prove to be a dangerous and costly miscalculation.”

The Arizona DUI lawyers at Corso Law Group have extensive experience handling cases that involve driving under the influence. Defense attorney Jeffrey Kegler brings an extensive knowledge of scientific research and evaluation to his cases.

Kegler applies this scientific knowledge and expertise to all traffic related and criminal cases to evaluate the breakdown and analysis of blood alcohol testing, speed measurement instruments and drug measurements.

That DUI experience proves to be invaluable after long weekend holidays like Labor Day, Corso said, when Arizona DUI arrests increase

In 2013, law enforcement made 656 DUI arrests from Thursday, August 29 to the early morning hours of Tuesday, September 3.

A police force of more than 2,000 officers and sheriff’s deputies from The Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety led the 2013 Labor Day DUI campaign around the state, inundating roads with officers and DUI checkpoints.

Of the more than 600 arrests, 196 citations were for extreme DUI, meaning the blood-alcohol content was .15 or higher, and 126 citations were from drug DUIs. The legal limit is .08.

Arizona law enforcement doesn’t take driving under the influence lightly, and is prepared to ensure safety on the roads.

“A DUI in Arizona is a serious offense,” an attorney said. “The charges can severely impact your life in terms of your job and relationships, especially in Arizona where the law requires that any person found guilty of drinking and driving, even if it’s a first offense, serve jail time.

DUI convictions can also include extensive fines of up to $2,500, suspension of driving privileges and the installation of an ignition interlock device – even for first offenders.

The Arizona DUI defense attorneys at Corso Law Group do everything in their power to protect defendants’ families and advocate for their rights. They have the experience and expertise to deal with DUI charges in Arizona and will fight to get the charges dismissed and preserve their family.

Every DUI defense case in Arizona is different, however, and the outcome is dependent upon the specific facts and circumstances surrounding the DUI charges, which makes having an experienced Arizona DUI defense attorney even more important.

Corso Law Group has quickly built a reputation for its vigorous defense of clients, using its lawyers’ previous experience with the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office and other prosecutorial agencies to assist its clients with their criminal defense cases.

In addition to Arizona DUI issues, Corso Law Group handles a myriad of criminal cases, including civil speeding, criminal speeding in Arizona, domestic violence defense, possession of drugs, felony drug charges, photo radar, disorderly conduct and marijuana possession.

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

It’s back to school season which means thousands of students will return to college campuses over the next several weeks.

Students and parents should be aware that police are cracking down on DUIs and underage drinking near college campuses at this time of year.

With a high volume of students living on campus and in college towns, there are more opportunities for large parties and bar hopping which may lead to DUI incidents for drivers and alcohol-related charges for the underaged.

Last fall at Arizona State University, the Tempe Police Department’s “Safe and Sober” task force, which focuses on crimes involving alcohol, reported 371 arrests in three days the weekend before classes started and 486 arrests in three days the weekend after classes started, the Phoenix New Times reports.

A total of 86 drunk driving arrests, 208 minors in possession of alcohol arrests and numerous others were made by Tempe PD over those two weekends in 2013, according to a report form Tempe PD in the Phoenix New Times.

Many students in Arizona universities are from different states and countries. In fact, 37 percent of the freshman class were not from Arizona in 2012, according to ASU.

These non-residents may not be familiar with their DUI rights and Arizona DUI laws.

For example, many new and returning students may not know that Arizona law requires any person found guilty of drinking and driving serve jail time. DUI convictions can also include extensive fines up to $2,500, suspension of driving privileges and the installation of an ignition interlock device – all of this even for first offenders.

“DUIs are very common during the summer months and can continue into the fall when universities fill up again,” Christopher P. Corso of Corso Law Group said.

Every DUI defense case in Arizona is different, however, and the outcome is dependent upon the specific facts and circumstances surrounding the DUI charges, which makes having an experienced Arizona DUI defense attorney even more important.

Corso and his fellow founding partner John M. Rhude know the dangers of DUIs from their own professional experience. Both attorneys previously prosecuted DUIs, DWIs and OUIs for the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office.

The experienced Arizona traffic lawyers at Corso Law Group serve clients throughout Arizona, including the cities of Ahwatukee, Avondale, Buckeye, Chandler, El Mirage, Gilbert, Glendale, Goodyear, Mesa, Peoria, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Sun City, Surprise, Tempe, Tolleson and Youngtown.

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

Drinking and driving never mix but the Arizona DUI lawyers at Corso Law Group know Arizona DUIs are even more dangerous over the July 4^th weekend.

The Arizona DUI lawyers at Corso Law Group know the long Fourth of July weekend can be a dangerous proposition for many Arizonans.

“It’s really about letting your guard down,” said Arizona DUI lawyer Christopher P. Corso of Corso Law Group. “Long holiday weekends always pose trouble for Arizona DUIs because many people host backyard parties or barbecues, forget that they’ve been drinking all day long and then get in a car to run to the store or drive a loved one home. It’s a summer recipe for disaster.”

The hazards of drinking and driving in Arizona are very familiar to Corso. He previously prosecuted DUIs, DWIs and OUIs for the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office.

“In the time, we’ve seen a lot of different scenarios for being arrested for an Arizona DUI but one thing remains the same – drinking and driving don’t mix, especially in Arizona, which has some of the nation’s toughest DUI laws,” Corso said. “That’s why it’s so important to have an experienced DUI lawyer on your side.”

For people suspected of a DUI in Arizona, Corso cautions that they must understand their rights including the right to remain silent; only providing insurance, registration and identification; and refusing to submit to all field sobriety tests.

According to Corso, a blood and alcohol test is the only test a person suspected of drunk driving should take.

Arizona takes DUI laws very seriously, Corso said, even for first time offenders. Any person found guilty of drinking and driving is required to serve a minimum of 24 hours in jail, even if there were no damages or injuries involved. Heavy fines are also included with DUI convictions and can be as high as $2,500 plus additional charges. Other penalties assessed include suspension of driving privileges, probation and the installation of an ignition interlock device.

Every DUI defense case in Arizona is different, and the outcome is dependent upon the specific facts and circumstances surrounding the DUI charges, which makes having an experienced Arizona DUI defense attorney even more important. In addition to DUIs and DWIs, the Arizona criminal defense attorneys at Corso Law Group handle myriad criminal cases, including domestic violence defense, possession of drugs, felony drug charges, photo radar, criminal speeding, disorderly conduct and marijuana possession.

Corso Law Group’s Arizona DUI attorneys do everything in their power to protect defendants’ families and advocate for their rights. They have the experience and expertise to deal with DUI charges in Arizona and will fight to get the charges dismissed while counseling the accused’s family.

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