If you had passengers in the car that were not under the influence or otherwise would be considered a credible witness when you were stopped, or you were with company shortly before the DUI arrest, talk to these people right away. Ask them questions such as: Did I appear drunk to you? How was my driving? Was my speech slurred? Was I alert and coherent? Was there anything that suggested to you that I was too intoxicated to drive? They may say that you were alert, sharp, speaking and driving normally. If so, your Arizona DUI attorney will want to collect statements from these witnesses.
1. Get Receipts for Alcohol and Food Purchases:
You want to establish an accurate itinerary of what, when and where you drank and ate prior to the Arizona DUI arrest. But to prove it in court, you need as much documentation and corroboration as possible. One effective way to prove this is to save your receipts for any alcohol or food you purchased before your Arizona DUI arrest. Credit card receipts or statements may be of some use. But the best is to get receipts from the establishment. These receipts should itemize what was purchased, the quantity, to the person it was sold, and other details available.
2. Ambulance or Hospital:
If you were taken to the hospital or emergency Room, following an accident and the ambulance went to the scene or you went to the hospital obtain medical records from both entities. Because of patient privacy laws, it is usually faster for you to obtain the records from the medical provider including the ambulance records, than if your Attorney requests them.
3. Records for 911 Calls:
If an observer called the 911 police emergency phone number to report the possibility of a drunk driver then you may want to preserve the tape because law enforcement agencies will delete the calls. Also, if there was an accident involved, the same goes for the #911 call. The timetable is different for each police department. Order early so it does not get destroyed.
4. Keep your Attorneys Contact Information Ready:
If and when you decide to hire an experienced Arizona DUI attorney, be sure to have
your information readily available. Carry it with you, your vehicle, or program it
into your phone or mobile device.
your information readily available. Carry it with you, your vehicle, or program it
into your phone or mobile device.
5. Be Prepared For Release Conditions:
If you are charged with if you are charged with An Arizona felony DUI the Judge will set release conditions on your first appearance. This is known as “OR” which means release on your “own recognizance”. This condition assumes the defendant will simply not commit any further crimes, and report to all future court appearances required. The judge may also require that the defendant be released to “Pre-Trial Services”.
In this event, authorized individuals or agencies will monitor your release to include such requirements as drug and alcohol testing. The last type of release condition is to “Post Bond”. In most cases if this is your first time in Superior Court and have no prior felony convictions and no prior “failure to appear” then most likely you will not get this. However, setting release conditions is always up to the Judge with