st patrick’s day

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 Phoenix area offers plenty of fun and festivities every year for Valley residents to enjoy during St. Patrick’s Day weekend. Holidays are by all means a time to celebrate, but Corso Law Group wants to remind you to celebrate responsibly and be aware of the dangers of driving under the influence and the consequences of a DUI or DWI conviction in Arizona.

Arizona DUI lawyers Corso Law Group know from experience that St. Patrick’s Day means an increase in Arizona DUI arrests because the alcohol-fueled holiday results in partygoers not designating a sober driver or not realizing they are incapable of driving.

In 2013, 273 DUI arrests were made statewide from Thursday to Sunday of St. Patrick’s Day weekend, just shy of the more than 280 arrests made in 2012.

Although police believe that this number is not terribly high compared to other December holidays, any number of drunk drivers is still a danger to themselves and those around them, which is why it’s important to remember that the only way to prevent DUI related accidents is to never drive while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

“Holidays like St. Patrick’s Day mean that more people are engaging in behavior that can land them in jail for an alcohol-related offense,” said a Corso Law Group founding partner.

Christopher P. Corso knows the hazards of drinking and driving. His firm 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.

“It’s important that Arizona residents arm themselves with the facts if they’re suspected of driving under the influence,” said an attorney at the firm.

For people suspected of a DUI in Arizona, our lawyers caution that they 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 their attorneys, a blood and alcohol test is the only test a person suspected of drunk driving should take.

Arizona takes DUI laws very seriously, 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.

“DUI is a serious offense and something that no person should take lightly,” Corso said. “When you’re armed with the facts, it makes it even more vital that you have a designated driver if you plan on drinking on St. Patrick’s Day.”

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 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.

Scottsdale, Ariz. – With St. Patrick’s Day festivities scheduled around the Valley in March, Corso Law Group is out to educate Valley residents about the dangers of driving drunk and what to do if you are suspected of driving under the influence.

More than 280 Arizona residents were cited for driving under the influence during St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in 2012. While that number was down from the 426 DUI arrests in 2011, the only real way to avoid a DUI charge is to never get behind the wheel after drinking, the Arizona DUI lawyers said.

Nevertheless, people find themselves each year facing serious charges related to drinking and driving and the Arizona DUI lawyers at Corso Law Group are ready to help.

“It’s important that Arizona residents arm themselves with the facts if they’re suspected of driving under the influence,” said John M. Rhude, Esq., Corso Law Group founding partner.

According to Rhude, any driver pulled over for a DUI in Arizona has the right to remain silent; must only provide insurance, registration and identification; and can refuse to submit to all field sobriety tests. A blood and alcohol test is the only test a person suspected of drunk driving should take.

Rhude and his partner Christopher P. Corso, Esq., know from experience that Arizona DUI arrests can increase during December. Both attorneys previously prosecuted DUIs, DWIs and OUIs for the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office. Combined, Corso Law Group 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, it makes it even more vital that you have a designated driver if you plan on drinking on St. Patrick’s Day.”

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

The Arizona DUI attorneys at Corso Law Group do everything in their power to protect defendant’s 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 DUI defense, Corso Law Group handles all criminal defense cases, including domestic violence defense, possession of drugs, felony drug charges, photo radar, criminal speeding, disorderly conduct and marijuana possession.

The experienced Arizona DUI 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, please visit www.corsolawgroup.com or call (480) 471-4616. Corso Law Group, PLLC is located at 17470 N. Pacesetter Way Scottsdale, AZ 85255.