Memorial Day marks the start of summer, and the Arizona DUI lawyers at Corso Law Group want to remind Arizona drivers to welcome the new season responsibly over the course of the long holiday weekend.
It’s not all wild parties and bar hopping that can lead to costly DUI defenses. Backyard barbecues and pool parties are also common Memorial Day festivities that can result in drunk driving for many, according to founding partner Christopher P. Corso.
“DUIs are very common during the summer months, and many times they happen very close to home, when you relax your standards and don’t think twice about driving to the store after having a couple of beers,” Corso said.
In fact, nearly 560 people in Arizona were arrested on suspicion of drunk driving over the three-day weekend last May, according to KPHO.
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. Combined, Corso Law Group have handled more than 15,000 DUI cases as prosecutors and defense attorneys.
Since Memorial Day is typically associated with a long three-day weekend and the start of summer, many Arizonans travel to national parks, campsites and the lakes around Arizona to celebrate. With the crowded conditions already decreasing safety on the road, many drivers are commonly distracted and oftentimes are not fit to drive.
In 2013, a number of officers from the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, Arizona Game and Fish and the U.S. Forest Service targeted areas such as Saguaro Lake, Canyon Lake, Apache Lake, Bartlett Lake, Lake Pleasant, Verde River, Lower Salt River, all of the county parks and the Tonto National Forest to patrol for DUIs over the Memorial Day weekend.
“Memorial Day is one of the deadliest holidays to drive each year,” Rhude said, citing a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report. “Adding alcohol to that mix is a recipe for disaster.”
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.
The Arizona DUI defense 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 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.
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, please visit www.corsolawgroup.com or call (480) 471-4616. Corso Law Group, PLLC is located at 17470 N. Pacesetter Way Scottsdale, AZ 85255.
