Joshua A. Lopez, Esq.

Trusted Criminal Defense Attorney Serving Scottsdale, Phoenix, and Maricopa County

Smart Defense. Strong Results.

Attorney Josh

Chandler DUI Lawyer

Chandler’s position at the intersection of Loop 101 and Loop 202 freeways, combined with its growing downtown entertainment district and large professional workforce, creates significant DUI enforcement activity. Chandler Police Department conducts regular patrols along major corridors including Arizona Avenue, Chandler Boulevard, and the freeway on/off ramps serving Intel and the Price Corridor tech companies. For Chandler’s technology professionals, a DUI conviction can jeopardize security clearances, professional licenses, and careers—consequences that extend far beyond the courtroom.

Attorney Josh Lopez represents clients facing DUI charges throughout Chandler.

→ For comprehensive Arizona DUI information, see: Arizona DUI Laws

Arizona DUI Classifications

Standard DUI (ARS § 28-1381)

BAC of 0.08% or higher, or impaired to the slightest degree by alcohol or drugs.

Offense	Classification	Minimum Jail
1st Offense	Class 1 Misdemeanor	10 days (9 suspended with screening)
2nd Offense (within 84 months)	Class 1 Misdemeanor	90 days (60 may be suspended)

Extreme DUI (ARS § 28-1382)

BAC of 0.15% or higher.

Offense	Classification	Minimum Jail
1st Offense	Class 1 Misdemeanor	30 days
2nd Offense	Class 1 Misdemeanor	120 days

Super Extreme DUI (ARS § 28-1382)

BAC of 0.20% or higher.

Offense	Classification	Minimum Jail
1st Offense	Class 1 Misdemeanor	45 days
2nd Offense	Class 1 Misdemeanor	180 days

Aggravated DUI (ARS § 28-1383) — Felony

DUI becomes aggravated (and a felony) when:

Third DUI within 84 months (7 years)
DUI while license suspended, revoked, or canceled
DUI with required ignition interlock device
DUI with passenger under 15 years old
Wrong-way driving while DUI

Offense	Classification	Prison Range
Aggravated DUI	Class 4 Felony	4 months – 3.75 years

Chandler DUI Enforcement Patterns

Freeway Corridors

Major highways through Chandler see significant DUI enforcement:

Loop 101 (Price Freeway) — Western Chandler, serving Intel and tech corridor
Loop 202 (Santan Freeway) — Southern Chandler, connecting to I-10
Freeway on/off ramps — Particular focus during evening commute
Arizona Avenue interchanges — High-traffic areas

Downtown Chandler

The entertainment district generates DUI arrests:

San Marcos Place area — Restaurants and bars
Boston Street and Arizona Avenue — Nightlife concentration
Post-closing enforcement — Officers positioned as venues close
Weekend saturation patrols — Enhanced enforcement Thursday-Saturday

Commercial Corridors

Major roadways through Chandler:

Chandler Boulevard — East-west arterial with heavy traffic
Ray Road — Major commercial corridor
Arizona Avenue — Primary north-south route through city
Alma School Road — Connecting residential to commercial areas

Intel and Price Corridor

Technology sector commuter routes:

Post-work hours — Enforcement near tech company exits
Ocotillo Road area — Intel campus vicinity
Happy hour enforcement — Restaurants near corporate offices

DUI Checkpoints

Chandler PD conducts periodic DUI checkpoints:

Typically announced in advance (legally required)
Common locations include major intersections
Holiday weekends see enhanced checkpoint activity
Downtown area during special events

Administrative License Suspension

Critical 15-Day Deadline

After a DUI arrest, you have only 15 days to request an MVD hearing to challenge automatic license suspension:

Failure to request hearing = automatic suspension on day 16
Hearing request preserves driving privileges during process
Administrative hearing is separate from criminal case

Suspension Periods

BAC Level	1st Offense	2nd Offense
0.08% – 0.149%	90 days	1 year
0.15%+ (Extreme)	90 days	1 year
Refusal	1 year	2 years

DUI Penalties in Detail

First Offense Standard DUI

Minimum 1 day jail (10 days imposed, 9 suspended with screening)
Fines and assessments: $1,500+
90-day license suspension
Ignition interlock device: 12 months
Alcohol/drug screening and treatment
Traffic survival school
Probation up to 5 years

First Offense Extreme DUI (0.15%+)

Minimum 30 consecutive days jail
Fines and assessments: $2,500+
90-day license suspension
Ignition interlock device: 12 months
Alcohol/drug screening and treatment
Probation up to 5 years

First Offense Super Extreme DUI (0.20%+)

Minimum 45 consecutive days jail
Fines and assessments: $3,000+
90-day license suspension
Ignition interlock device: 18+ months
Alcohol/drug screening and treatment
Probation up to 5 years

Professional Consequences in Chandler

Security Clearance Impact

Many Chandler residents hold security clearances for technology work:

Reporting requirement — Must report DUI arrest to security officer
Interim suspension — Clearance may be suspended pending resolution
Revocation risk — DUI conviction can result in permanent revocation
Career devastation — Loss of clearance often means job loss

Professional Licensing

DUI affects licensed professionals:

Engineers — State board may review licensing
Healthcare workers — Nursing and medical board notification
Financial professionals — Securities licensing implications
Commercial drivers — CDL suspension or revocation

Employment Consequences

Technology sector employment affected:

Company policies often require disclosure of arrests
Conviction may trigger termination
Background check failures for future positions
Loss of professional reputation

Defense Strategies

Challenging the Traffic Stop

Officers need reasonable suspicion to initiate a stop:

Was there an actual traffic violation?
Did driving behavior actually suggest impairment?
Was the checkpoint properly conducted?
Did officers follow required procedures?

Field Sobriety Test Challenges

Standard field tests have documented reliability issues:

Medical conditions affecting balance (inner ear, back, leg problems)
Environmental factors (uneven pavement, lighting, weather)
Improper administration by officer
Age, weight, and footwear affecting performance
Nervousness causing poor performance unrelated to impairment

Breathalyzer Challenges

Breath test results can be challenged:

Calibration and maintenance record deficiencies
Operator certification and training issues
15-minute observation period violations
Medical conditions affecting results (GERD, diabetes)
Mouth alcohol contamination from recent belching or vomiting

Blood Test Challenges

Blood draws must follow strict procedures:

Qualified phlebotomist requirement
Proper antiseptic use (non-alcohol-based required)
Adequate preservative in collection vial
Chain of custody issues
Rising blood alcohol defense (still absorbing at time of driving)

Constitutional Violations

Miranda violations during questioning
Illegal vehicle search
Denial of right to counsel
Improper questioning techniques

Chandler Municipal Court

Location: 200 E. Chicago Street, Chandler, AZ 85225
Phone: (480) 782-4900

Chandler Municipal Court handles misdemeanor DUI charges (standard, extreme, and super extreme) arising within Chandler city limits. The Chandler City Prosecutor’s office handles prosecution.

Southeast Regional Superior Court

Location: 222 E. Javelina Avenue, Mesa, AZ 85210

Felony Aggravated DUI cases from Chandler are prosecuted by the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office at the Southeast Regional Center.

Ignition Interlock Requirements

Arizona requires ignition interlock devices (IID) for all DUI convictions:

Offense	Minimum IID Period
Standard DUI (1st)	12 months
Extreme DUI (1st)	12 months
Super Extreme DUI (1st)	18 months
2nd DUI (any level)	12 months
Aggravated DUI	24 months

The IID allows driving during suspension if installed on all vehicles you operate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a DUI affect my security clearance?

Yes, potentially seriously. Security clearance holders must report arrests. DUI—especially with high BAC or repeat offenses—demonstrates judgment issues that concern security officials. Clearance suspension or revocation is possible, which often means job loss in Chandler’s tech sector.

Can I get a restricted license after DUI in Chandler?

Arizona doesn’t offer traditional restricted licenses. However, you can drive during suspension by installing an ignition interlock device and obtaining a special IID-restricted permit, which allows driving for work, school, and other essential purposes.

How long does a DUI stay on my record?

A DUI conviction remains on your criminal record permanently. For enhancement purposes (counting as a prior offense), Arizona looks back 84 months (7 years). Insurance and employment effects typically last 5-10 years.

Should I refuse the breath test?

This is a complex decision with significant consequences either way. Refusal triggers automatic 1-year license suspension (vs. 90 days for failure) and can be used as evidence of consciousness of guilt. However, it limits evidence available to prosecution. Consult an attorney before making this decision if possible.

How much does a DUI cost in Chandler?

Total costs typically range from $5,000 to $20,000+ including fines, assessments, screening, treatment, ignition interlock, insurance increases, and attorney fees. For professionals who lose security clearances or jobs, the financial impact can be far greater.

Can a DUI be reduced to a lesser charge?

In some cases, yes. Depending on circumstances—BAC level, driving behavior, procedural issues, or evidentiary problems—negotiation may result in reduction to reckless driving or other lesser charges. Each case depends on its specific facts.

Contact a Chandler DUI Defense Attorney

A DUI charge threatens your license, freedom, career, and security clearance. The 15-day deadline to challenge license suspension requires immediate action. For Chandler’s technology professionals, the stakes extend far beyond the courtroom.

Attorney Josh Lopez defends DUI charges throughout Chandler.

Scottsdale Office:
6991 East Camelback Rd, Suite D-300
Scottsdale, AZ 85251

Phoenix Office:
2601 N 3rd Street, Suite 301
Phoenix, AZ 85004

Call (480) 386-1824 for a free consultation.