Best Phoenix DUI and DWI Attorneys in 2025

Sean Forrester Sean Forrester
Lerner & Rowe 		Call Today
602-667-7777 		View Profile
Woodrow C. Thompson Woodrow C. Thompson
Gallagher & Kennedy 		Call Today
602-962-4436 		View Profile
Joshua I. Fisher Joshua I. Fisher
Gallagher & Kennedy 		Call Today
602-962-4436 		View Profile
How to Select the Best Attorney

How to Select the Best DUI and DWI Attorney

If you’re charged with a DUI or DWI, it doesn’t mean a conviction is a guarantee. There are defense strategies that an experienced Phoenix DUI attorney can use to challenge the evidence against you and help your case.

The consequences of poor legal representation in a DUI case can be catastrophic. Being convicted of driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI) can have long-lasting repercussions, including:

  • Jail time
  • Suspension or revocation of your driver’s license
  • The financial strain of thousands in fines, vehicle storage fees, and perhaps the cost of substance abuse counseling or safe driving classes or the cost of installing an ignition interlock device
  • A criminal record that can affect your employment and housing options
  • A negative impact on education and professional licensing
  • Increased auto insurance premiums

With such severe consequences (depending on the circumstances of your case), it is critical for you to seek the help of a top-tier DUI or DWI defense attorney in Phoenix. Below are the steps to help you find the best attorney to represent you:

Step 1: Schedule free consultations with several Phoenix DUI defense attorneys. The attorney will ask questions about your case to see if they want to represent you, but you should also them questions to be sure you’re comfortable with them. They will be representing you in what can be a life-changing experience.

Step 2: The attorney you choose should primarily practice DUI & DWI defense (about 75% of their cases) and should have experience with cases similar to yours. This ensures they’re familiar with the court procedures, strategies, and defenses. Other indicators of a good attorney include board certification in DUI defense, top ratings on legal sites, legal awards, and customer reviews and testimonials.

Step 3: You will want to ask about their billing process. A DUI lawyer in Phoenix may charge you a flat fee or on an hourly basis. Although there is no set price for the cost of a DUI case, it can range from a few thousand dollars to upwards of $10,000. The cost of your legal defense will depend on the circumstances of your specific situation. Be sure you understand how your attorney will charge you and how you are expected to pay. Some may require a retainer to get started.

Step 4: Hire the attorney with whom you feel the most comfortable and who you believe will work the most diligently on your DUI defense. 

Recommendations While You Wait to Connect to an Attorney

  • Create a timeline and detailed account of the events in your case. Include the date, times, locations, people with whom you interacted, and any other significant details. This will help your attorney make sure that no vital evidence goes unnoticed and build a complete narrative. Perhaps you watched a basketball game at the bar, and you recall ordering your last drink at halftime (that can be verified). Include the names of bar patrons, the bartender, the valet, the approximate times you ordered drinks, and anything else that will show what you did prior to being arrested. These details can help identify evidence and potential witnesses.
  • Collect all relevant documents and evidence. Include the official arrest report, credit card receipts, medical reports (with BAC levels), witness statements (from both those at the bar and anyone who saw you before or when you were arrested), and bodycam, dashcam, or smartphone footage from the incident. 
  • Don’t talk to anyone involved in your case. This includes alleged victims and witnesses. If you’re contacted about your case, say that you have an attorney who will respond if and when appropriate. 
  • Be ready to be honest and give a full disclosure to your attorney. Do this despite the fact that some things may be embarrassing or incriminating. Perhaps you were meeting with someone in secret; that person may be a vital witness who is essential to your defense. Don’t withhold any information—even if you think it’s irrelevant. This may weaken your defense.
  • Don’t post anything about your case on social media. No matter if you think it’s a harmless post or tweet, it may have a severe impact on your case.
     

Frequently Asked Questions

How will my Phoenix DUI attorney determine the defense strategy?

Your attorney will decide the best defense strategy based on the circumstances, such as filing motions to suppress evidence or testimony and raising an issue such as police misconduct or illegal search and seizure. Depending on your jurisdiction, your attorney may consider these defenses: challenging the legality of the traffic stop; questioning the accuracy of the breathalyzer or BAC test; challenging the result of the field sobriety tests; examining the officer’s observations; addressing relevant medical conditions or the effect of prescribed medications; and looking for errors in police procedures.

Should I accept a plea bargain?

A plea bargain is a negotiated agreement where you agree to plead guilty or no contest in exchange for a sentence reduction or a charge reduction. The lesser charge usually has fewer penalties and less stigma than a drunk driving conviction. It may be a charge of drunk in public (drunk and disorderly), consuming alcohol in a vehicle, or some type of traffic infraction (like speeding or running a red light).

The primary disadvantage to accepting a plea bargain is the waiver of the right to a trial by jury where you forfeit the opportunity to be acquitted by a jury. Your attorney will best be able to advise you on the viable options in your particular circumstances.

What should I consider a “win” in my case?

A “win” isn’t always a “not guilty” verdict in a DUI or DWI case. Rather, a “win” is getting the best possible outcome for you based on the facts, the evidence, and the law. This may be a reduced sentence, the dismissal of some charges, or a plea to a lesser offense.

What are some factors that could result in harsher penalties?

This will vary state-by-state, but here are some factors that could increase the severity of your case and result in harsher consequences: a prior DUI or DWI, a high blood alcohol content, reckless driving, excessive speeding, driving on a suspended license, causing injuries or property damage and/or having a child in the car at the time of the offense. 

How is a DUI or DWI different if I’m under 21?

If you are underaged (under 21) and operating a vehicle under the influence or with a BAC at or above the legal limit in your state, then typically you will be charged with a standard DUI or DWI and face the same penalties as any other driver over the age of 21.

For those under the age of 21, you can also receive lesser infractions if caught with any level of alcohol in your system. This will vary from state to state, but typically the repercussions are less depending on the circumstances of your case and any prior convictions.

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