A three-count DUI case at Scottsdale City Court could have produced a BAC conviction, a speed conviction, and 10 days jail. Future First narrowed the case to a single DUI count with the BAC and speed counts dismissed, and 9 of 10 jail days suspended.

At a glance

Court	Scottsdale City Court
Original charges	DUI Liquor/Drugs/Vapors/Combo (ARS § 28-1381(A)(1)), Class 1 Misdemeanor; DUI BAC .08 or More (ARS § 28-1381(A)(2)), Class 1 Misdemeanor; Speed Violation (ARS § 28-701(A)), civil traffic
Presumptive exposure	Up to 10 days jail with 9 suspendable on screening, fines and assessments around $1,500 to $2,000 plus surcharges, 12-month MVD ignition interlock, MADD victim impact panel, alcohol screening and counseling, license suspension, up to 5 years probation
Result	BAC count and Speed Violation dismissed; plea to single A1 DUI count with 1 actual jail day
Eligibility for set aside	Approximately 2021 under ARS § 13-905
Eligibility for sealing	Approximately 2024 under ARS § 13-911, three years after counseling completion

The stakes

The client faced multiple counts at Scottsdale City Court including a Class 1 Misdemeanor DUI under ARS § 28-1381(A)(1), a DUI BAC .08 or more under ARS § 28-1381(A)(2), and a speed violation.

First-offense DUI in Arizona carries a 10-day mandatory jail term with 9 days suspendable on court-approved screening, fines commonly $1,500 to $2,000 plus surcharges, a 12-month MVD ignition interlock, MADD victim impact panel, alcohol screening and counseling, license suspension, and probation up to 5 years. A DUI conviction also carries lifetime collateral consequences for employment, insurance, and licensing.

What we did

After Future First negotiated the plea and pressed the State on the proof, the State dismissed the BAC count and the Speed Violation count. The client pled to the impaired count only.

The court imposed 10 days jail with 9 days suspended on completion of screening, leaving 1 actual day, alcohol screening and counseling, $1,598.20 in fines and fees, and standard MVD-imposed ignition interlock. Set aside under ARS § 13-905 is eligible approximately 2021. Sealing records under ARS § 13-911 is eligible approximately 2024, three years after counseling completion.

What our clients say

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If you’re facing a stacked DUI in Arizona

Arizona DUI cases routinely include companion counts that the State stacks on top of the lead DUI charge. The two DUI counts under § 28-1381(A)(1) and § 28-1381(A)(2) are alternate-theory counts — impairment to slightest degree on one side, BAC .08 or more on the other — and they target the same conduct. The companion civil traffic citation (speeding, lane violation, equipment issue) is the bonus charge that gets added on the same stop.

The negotiation goal in these cases is usually to drop everything except one DUI count, and then push for the court to suspend most of the mandatory jail days on screening and counseling. The result is a single DUI conviction with one actual day in custody, instead of a stack of three convictions plus exposure to longer jail terms. The cleaner the plea structure, the simpler the eventual set aside and sealing applications.

Future First Criminal Law has handled stacked DUI cases across Maricopa County and Arizona. We know how Scottsdale City Court and other municipal courts handle plea negotiations, and how to drop companion counts.

Related resources

Arizona DUI defense — full overview of how we handle every tier of DUI charge
Set aside and sealing in Arizona — how to clean up your record after a DUI conviction

Call us

Facing a DUI charge in Arizona? Call Future First Criminal Law at 602-900-7625 or request a free consultation. We have handled hundreds of Arizona DUI cases at every tier. The earlier we are involved, the more options you have.

Anonymized in line with firm policy. Client name not used. Specific dates approximated to year only. Outcome described reflects this client’s actual results. Past outcomes do not guarantee future results. For more detailed information on Arizona DUI law, visit the Arizona State Legislature website.