arizona dui attorney

Experienced Arizona DUI attorney Christopher Corso says Arizonans can expect zero leniency from police on Super Bowl Sunday this year – especially when it comes to drunk driving.

The Super Bowl is a big day for drinking, with an estimated 323.5 million gallons of beer consumed and 49.2 million cases sold on Super Bowl Sunday in the U.S.

The annual event brings with it plenty of parties and festivities, meaning saturation points and patrols will be out in full force to combat drunk driving accidents and DUIs, which can be up to twice as likely on Super Bowl Sunday than any other Sunday, The Los Angeles Times reports.

“Law enforcement knows the Super Bowl is one of the most dangerous days for drinking and driving, and they’re stepping up their presence by enforcing DUI laws and punishing violators to the highest degree,” Corso said. “Even if you’re under the legal limit, Arizona law states that you could still be apprehended.”

Arizona is the strictest state in the nation when it comes to DUI laws. It’s also a no-tolerance state, which means police can arrest anyone who they believe is showing signs of impairment, even if their blood alcohol content (BAC) is less than the legal limit of .08 percent.

For those who are arrested for DUI on Super Bowl Sunday, the consequences can be severe. Even a first-time DUI offense can mean up to 10 days in jail, a 90-day license suspension and the required installation of an ignition interlock device in Arizona.

Previous DUI offenses and high BACs could lead to even more intense penalties as multiple-offenses and extreme DUIs result in increased jail time, higher fines, counseling, community service and longer license suspensions.

“This isn’t a time to gamble with your freedom,” Corso said. “If’ you’re arrested for a possible DUI during Super Bowl weekend, having the experienced DUI attorneys at Corso Law Group onyour side can make a big difference.”

Corso Law Group has extensive experience with all types of Arizona DUIs, including misdemeanor and felony DUI charges.

“Our attorneys are well-versed in Arizona’s strict DUI laws, and we understand how challenging DUI defense,” Corso said. “We’re here to assist Arizonans who find themselves in a difficult legal situation on high-risk days, like Super Bowl Sunday, and on any other day of the year.”

Corso Law Group is an experienced team of legal professionals who have handled thousands of Arizona DUI cases. Founder Christopher Corso is a former Maricopa County prosecutor who can help with drunk driving cases as well as other criminal defense needs such as criminal speeding, CDL tickets, photo radar tickets, felony charges, drug possession, weapons possession, violent crimes and more.

Free consultations are available by visiting https://corsolawgroup.com or calling (480) 471-4616.

Corso Law Group, PLLC is located at 17470 N. Pacesetter Way Scottsdale, AZ 85255.

Arizona has the strictest DUI laws in the country. Make sure you know your rights in case you’re ever pulled over on suspicion of drinking and driving in the Grand Canyon State.

Corso Law Group has handled thousands of DUI cases in Arizona. Founder Christopher Corso has previous experience as a prosecutor for Maricopa County, so he and his team of legal professionals know what it’s like on both sides of a DUI case.

This step-by-step guide by Corso Law Group explains how to react if you’re pulled over, how to behave in the presence of an officer and important DUI rights every Arizonan needs to know.

What to do when you see flashing lights:

• Once you realize you’re getting pulled over, slow down.
• Pull over to the right and park as far into the shoulder of the road as possible to keep both you and the officer safe from oncoming traffic.
• Use your blinker. This may seem obvious, but it’s an easy step to avoid any further traffic violations.
• Turn off the car.

How to interact with an officer:

• Keep both hands on the wheel so the officer is at ease.
• Keep your window rolled up until the officer addresses you. You don’t have to go to the extreme and try the Fair DUI Flyer method, but you should only roll it down enough so that you can hear each other and pass your information along. Keeping a barrier is an important step to prevent incriminating yourself. An officer can charge you because he says he smells drugs or alcohol in the car or on your breath.
• Keep talking to a minimum. You should narrate your actions and let the officer know where your license, registration and insurance are and when you’re reaching for them. Answer basic questions like your name and address. However, do not answer any other questions about how much you’ve had to drink or how fast you were going. It’s your right to remain silent.
• Ask to speak to your attorney in private.
• Be polite. Be cooperative. Know your rights. Try to remain calm and avoid rude or aggressive behaviour.

What are your Arizona DUI rights:

• Do not agree to participate in any field sobriety tests. This includes walking in a straight line, reciting the ABCs, touching your finger to your nose, standing on one leg and more. These types of test aren’t required and may be subjective depending on environmental factors and the officer’s depiction of your results. You do not want your performance during these tests to be used as evidence against you.
• Do agree to a blood, breath or urine test. These tests are required by the Implied Consent Law, which means that anyone with an Arizona driver’s license has agreed to consent to this type of test if lawfully arrested for DUI. If you refuse, your license will automatically be suspended for at least 12 months, even if your blood alcohol level was under the legal limit, and you weren’t drunk driving.  
• Do not allow an officer to search your car without a warrant. Don’t be fooled by questions like, “You don’t mind if I have a look in your car, right?” You don’t have to agree to a search, unless the officer has probable cause to search your car or obtain a warrant.

Once you’ve been released, contact a criminal defense attorney at Corso Law Group at (480) 471-4616. We’ll fight to protect your rights.

Arizona DUI attorney Christopher P. Corso and his team of DUI lawyers at Corso Law Group expect increased DUI checkpoints and DUI arrests this Fourth of July, the Scottsdale law firm announced today.

The Arizona attorney, who previously prosecuted DUIs for the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, bases this prediction on the state’s aggressive DUI prosecution in recent years.

In 2014, 389 people were arrested in Arizona on suspicion of drunk driving over three days during the July 4th holiday weekend, ABC 15 reports. The number of arrests increased 27 percent from 2013 due to the large increase in police saturation points.

“A rise in police activity means that more officers are on the roads paying close attention to driver behavior,” Corso said. “Police know Phoenix residents will be out drinking on the Fourth, and they won’t tolerate intoxicated driving or any other traffic violation – even minor offenses.”

Thousands of law enforcement officials worked overtime in 2014 to form an expansive DUI task force that reached across the Valley with 2,237 participating officers and deputies, according to The Arizona Republic. That’s a 55 percent increase from the 1,445 participants in Arizona in 2013.

For many, celebrating Independence Day means backyard barbecues, ball games, fireworks and beer, which is consumed 40 percent more on the Fourth of July, according to Marketplace by American Public Media.

“It’s easy to get carried away and not realize just how much you’ve had to drink,” Corso said. “People get behind the wheel thinking they’re fine to drive, not realizing the harm they could cause to themselves and others.”

If the potentially deadly consequences of drinking and driving aren’t reason enough to plan ahead on the Fourth of July, Corso Law Group suggests considering the severe legal consequences of an Arizona DUI.

Arizona has some of the strictest drunk driving laws in the country, with at least 24 hours of required jail time for all offenders, even first time offenders, as well as high fines and license suspension.

“Understanding the physical and legal harm associated with drunk driving, and taking the initiative to never drive while under the influence is a preventative measure we all can take to stay safe,” Corso said.

Additionally, Corso recommends Arizona residents know important Arizona DUI rights such as the right to remain silent; only provide certain documents such as insurance, registration and identification; and refuse to submit to all field sobriety tests. Blood and alcohol tests are the only tests DUI suspects should agree to.

To schedule a free consultation with Corso Law Group, please visit https://corsolawgroup.com or call (480) 471-4616.

Corso Law Group, PLLC is located at 17470 N. Pacesetter Way Scottsdale, AZ 85255.

The Arizona Supreme Court ruled that blood-alcohol tests from the Scottsdale crime lab will not be excluded as evidence in Scottsdale DUI cases.

Due to inconsistent error reports, the Court released an opinion in late April ruling that tests from the headspace gas chromatograph machine are valid to use in DUI cases.

While the machine did produce some faulty test results, results were not always inaccurate, therefore leading the justices to determine that evidence couldn’t be dismissed from all DUI cases. Instead, a judge will decide if the evidence is inherently unreliable, in which case the tests wouldn’t be considered.

However, in more difficult cases, a judge may not be able to determine whether the evidence is inherently unreliable, and it will be up to jurors to decide if the tests can be used as credible evidence.

This means that not every Scottsdale DUI case can dismiss BAC tests from the machine, but defense attorneys can present the flaws of the lab and the machine to the jury, regardless of whether their clients’ tests were erroneous.

In July 2013, the Scottsdale crime lab was the center of controversy when news broke that the equipment used to test blood alcohol levels of those arrested on suspicion of DUI was outdated and defective, resulting in mislabelled and inaccurate data for as many as 50 percent of samples.

The machine is longer in operation, and the Scottsdale DUI cases can proceed in court under this new ruling.

Prom and graduation seasons are here, which means teens around the country are preparing for nights of fun and celebration. While this is a joyful time, it’s important for teens and parents to understand the dangers of underage drinking and intoxicated driving.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teens in America, which means preparing young adults with the safety information they need is crucial, especially this time of year when they may be tempted to make troublesome decisions like drunk driving or riding in the car with an intoxicated driver.

In fact, starting in April, when prom and graduation season begins, the number of fatal car accidents involving teenagers increases, with an average of 246 deaths per month until class begins again in late August and September.

Findings from the most recent study on young drivers by The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report that 28 percent of drivers 15 to 20-years-old who were killed in car accidents had alcohol in their systems.

Many crashes involving teens happen late at night on the weekends, with 49% of teen deaths from car accidents occurring between 3 p.m. and midnight on Friday, Saturday or Sunday.

Knowing these facts, parents and teens need to work together to create a plan for prom night and graduation parties that encourages making the right choices and asking for help if they need it.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving said that almost half of all 10th grade students drink alcohol, so even if you don’t think your child will be drinking on prom night or after graduation, establish guidelines and discuss safe options with them just in case.

Arizona is one of the top-five states with the most effective drunk driving laws, according to a report by Mother’s Against Drunk Driving (MADD).

The report highlights which states have the best laws and programs to prevent drunk driving, as well as the ones that need to do more to prevent the offense.

The MADD website includes an interactive map showing how many stars each state has, with each representing a different measure that it enforces, such as the requirement of an ignition interlock device, DUI checkpoints, enhanced child endangerment penalties, No-Refusal events and license revocation.

Arizona enforces all five of these regulations, making it one of the states with the strictest drunk driving laws, along with Utah, Illinois, Kansas and Nebraska.

MADD praised Arizona for its 46 percent decrease in drunk driving fatalities over the years, and stressed the significance of ignition interlock devices, which are required for all DUI offenders in the state, even if it’s a first-time offense.

In contrast, Michigan, Montana, South Dakota, Rhode Island and Pennsylvania only have one star each to represent their efforts to prevent drunk driving.

The report was released by MADD to honor the fifth year of The Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving.

If you’re ever arrested for drunk driving in Arizona, get in touch with an attorney who has experience with the state’s strict DUI laws.

Call the criminal defense attorneys at Corso Law Group anytime at (480) 471-4616.

Last May, 500 drunk drivers were arrested in Arizona, according to KTAR News, during Cinco de Mayo and the weekend before the holiday, which is commonly celebrated with Mexican fare, including a troublesome mix of margaritas, tequila and beer.

Police proved just how serious they were about keeping drunk drivers off the roads in 2014 with a very effective DUI campaign that lead to more overall traffic stops and fewer DUI arrests, Arizona DUI attorneys Corso Law Group said.

Arizona’s DUI task force was 1,880 officials strong in 2014, up from 1,420 the year before, with officers and deputies making more than 11,000 traffic stops and arresting 500 drivers on suspicion of drunk driving over the holiday weekend from Thursday, May 1 to Monday, May 5, The Arizona Republic reports.

Of the 500 arrests, which was 25 fewer than in 2013, 51 were aggravated DUIs and 155 were extreme DUIs, meaning blood-alcohol contents were over .15 percent, according to statistics released by the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety. The average BAC during Cinco de Mayo and the preceding weekend was .146 percent.

“Plenty of people plan on engaging in alcohol-related activities on Cinco de Mayo,” said Christopher Corso, Corso Law Group’s founding partner. “Unfortunately, several don’t think about how they’re getting home before they start drinking. That’s a big mistake that can land you in jail.”

In Arizona, all DUI offenders, even first offenders, face jail time and expensive fines. Not only are the charges serious but also the potential harm drunk drivers can cause to themselves and anyone else on the road is massive. However, all of this can be prevented by never getting behind the wheel while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Corso Law Group has handled more than 20,000 DUI cases as defense attorneys and as former prosecutors for the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office.

“Knowing the law and what could happen if you were arrested for drunk driving is an important step Arizona citizens can take,” Corso said. “Being aware of the physical dangers of drunk driving and the legal consequences that could follow should motivate Arizona residents to be safe this Cinco de Mayo.”

Important rights Arizona residents need to know according to Corso Law Group, are their rights to remain silent; only provide certain documents such as insurance, registration and identification; and refuse to submit to all field sobriety tests. In addition, blood and alcohol tests are the only tests DUI suspects should agree to.

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

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.