Tempe, Arizona
Tempe DUI Lawyer
Between Mill Avenue, ASU, and three freeways, Tempe runs a steady DUI docket — and a disproportionate share of its defendants are students and young professionals for whom the record matters more than the fine. Those cases are heard in Tempe Municipal Court, and they are very defensible done right.
We are available 24/7. (602) 595-5222
Where a Tempe DUI case is heard
Tempe police cases go to Tempe Municipal Court at 140 E 5th St, a block off Mill Avenue. DPS stops on I-10, US 60, or the Loop 101/202 are filed in a county justice court; felony aggravated DUI — including any DUI with a suspended license — goes to the Superior Court.
Under 21: zero tolerance, different stakes
Arizona’s zero-tolerance rule means a driver under 21 can be charged with any alcohol in their system — no .08 required — alongside the ordinary impairment standards. For a student, the priority is usually the record: internships, licensure, and graduate programs all ask, which makes diversion and reduction outcomes worth more than any fine avoided.
The two deadlines
The arraignment date on your paperwork and the 15-day window to request an MVD hearing after the suspension notice. Students: neither deadline moves for exams or breaks, and a missed date creates a warrant that follows you home for the summer.
Why Tempe clients call Talcott
A former Maricopa County public defender, hundreds of cases defended, free consultation, 24/7. We handle the DUI defense and the parallel MVD proceeding, and where the realistic goal is protecting a young record, we build the case around exactly that.
Common questions
Where will my Tempe DUI case be heard?
Tempe police cases go to Tempe Municipal Court; freeway DPS stops go to a county justice court; felony aggravated DUI goes to Superior Court. Your citation names the court and date.
I am an ASU student. Will a DUI end my career before it starts?
Not necessarily — but the conviction, not the sentence, is the lasting risk. Depending on the case, dismissal, reduction, or outcomes that keep the record clean are achievable, and they are worth prioritizing over a quick plea.
Can I get a DUI in Tempe under 21 with a BAC below .08?
Yes — Arizona has zero tolerance for drivers under 21, and impairment to the slightest degree applies at any age. The defense analysis is the same: the stop, the testing, and the timeline.
FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION
Contact us for a free initial consultation
Or complete the form below to set up a convenient time to discuss your case.
- Phone
- 602-595-5222
- Availability
- We are available 24/7.