Extreme DUI Attorney in Scottsdale
Former DUI Prosecutor. Nearly Two Decades Defending Extreme DUI Charges.
An Extreme DUI charge under A.R.S. 28-1382 means a measured blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.15% or higher within two hours of driving. It’s a Class 1 misdemeanor, the most serious misdemeanor classification in Arizona, and every penalty attached to it is mandatory. There’s no suspended sentence without a successful defense. If you’ve been charged in Scottsdale, what happens next depends heavily on how quickly you act and who you have in your corner.
I’m Lawrence Koplow. Before founding The Koplow Law Firm in 2005, I prosecuted DUI cases. That background means I know how Extreme DUI cases are assembled from the inside: which evidence the state leans on and where those cases are most likely to break down. I represent clients throughout Scottsdale and Maricopa County, and when you hire my firm, you work directly with me.
Contact me day or night for a free consultation. I’m available 24/7, offer virtual meetings for flexibility, and can be reached immediately at (602) 560-7837.
Why Scottsdale Defendants Choose The Koplow Law Firm
Prosecutorial experience isn’t a talking point here. It’s a practical advantage. I spent years on the other side of these cases, which means I read police reports, breathalyzer logs, and blood lab documentation the way a prosecutor does. I know what they’re counting on and where their evidence is weakest.
I’m also regularly invited to train other attorneys in Arizona and across the country on DUI and vehicular crimes defense, including DUI forensics. That teaching-level command of the science isn’t academic. It shapes how I analyze evidence in every case I take.
Recognition & Standing
The Arizona Attorneys for Criminal Justice (AACJ) awarded me the Outstanding Contribution to DUI Defense Award in 2015 and the President’s Commendation. I’ve been selected to the Arizona Super Lawyers list every year from 2019 through 2025. These aren’t participation honors. They reflect a consistent record of serious DUI defense work.
Every case I take receives the same direct attention. Your defense won’t be handed to a junior associate or managed from a distance. You call me, you meet with me, and I handle your case.
Contact Me Before the 15-Day MVD Deadline Passes
A Scottsdale Extreme DUI arrest triggers two separate proceedings: the criminal case in Scottsdale City Court and an MVD administrative hearing that controls your driving privileges. You have exactly 15 days from the date of arrest to request that MVD hearing. Miss the deadline, and the right to contest the suspension is gone entirely.
Free consultations are available, and I’m reachable around the clock. Virtual meetings are an option if you can’t come in. Call (602) 560-7837 today.
Scottsdale’s Extreme DUI Enforcement Environment
Scottsdale generates a disproportionate volume of Extreme DUI arrests compared to other parts of Maricopa County. The Scottsdale Police Department’s Old Town Detail runs nightly patrols along the Scottsdale Road entertainment corridor, and Loop 101 saturation enforcement adds another layer of exposure for drivers leaving the area. These aren’t occasional sweeps. They’re sustained operations designed to produce arrests.
Misdemeanor Extreme DUI charges are processed through Scottsdale City Court, a high-volume prosecution environment that moves cases on an expedited timeline, typically three to six months from arrest to resolution. Felony DUI charges, including Aggravated DUI, are heard in Maricopa County Superior Court. The MVD administrative process runs on a parallel track from the moment of arrest, and you have 15 days to request a hearing before the right to contest the suspension is waived.
How I Approach Extreme DUI Defense
An extreme DUI attorney in Scottsdale who understands forensic science challenges these cases at their foundation, not their surface. The BAC number the state cites as proof isn’t self-verifying. It comes from a machine, a blood draw, a lab, and a chain of custody, and every link in that chain can be examined.
My defense methodology targets the integrity of the BAC evidence and the constitutional validity of the stop and arrest. I work with forensic experts to evaluate blood draw timing, breathalyzer calibration and maintenance records for instruments like the Intoxilyzer 8000, lab handling procedures, and chain-of-custody documentation from collection to court.
Penalties for an Extreme DUI Conviction in Arizona
A first-offense Extreme DUI conviction under A.R.S. 28-1382(A)(1) carries penalties that are mandatory by statute. A court doesn’t have discretion to reduce them without a legal basis. For a first offense, those minimums include:
- Jail: 30 consecutive days. Under A.R.S. 28-1382(I), a court may reduce this to 9 days if the defendant agrees to install a certified ignition interlock device (IID).
- Fines and fees: Approximately $2,500 or more in combined fines, surcharges, and assessments
- License suspension: 90 days
- Ignition interlock device: Required for 12 months following license reinstatement
- Alcohol screening and treatment: Mandatory
Additional first-offense consequences include vehicle impoundment for up to 30 days, SR-22 high-risk insurance for up to three years at your expense, community service, and a permanent criminal record. Arizona doesn’t have traditional expungement for DUI convictions. A set-aside under A.R.S. § 13-905 may be available after sentence completion, and Arizona’s record-sealing law under A.R.S. § 13-911 may provide additional options depending on your circumstances. I can advise on what post-conviction relief may apply to your situation.
Arizona’s DUI sentencing guidelines were updated by the Arizona Supreme Court effective September 26, 2025. Defendants charged after that date may have additional pathway options for license reinstatement under A.R.S. 28-1381(I)(6), including evidence-based psychotherapy as an alternative to alcohol or drug screening programs.
Hear From the People We’ve Helped
Testimonials and Reviews
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"Great trial attorney."
Lawrence is tenacious, relentless, and extremely passionate about his clients and their cases. He leaves no stone unturned in his investigations, and his cross examinations are grueling. His knowledge of the science of DUI's and the testing procedures is unsurpassed. Great trial attorney.
- Jesse S. -
"Unquestionably one of the top DUI/ criminal defense attorneys in Arizona."As a practicing attorney in DUI and criminal defense, and as a former prosecutor who went against Lawrence on several cases, I can attest that the State knows they will have their hands full when Lawrence is on the case.- Ryan M.
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"You cannot go wrong with Lawrence."
Great attorney! Lawrence thinks outside the box and goes above and beyond for his clients and the legal community at large. If you are looking for aggressive representation, you cannot go wrong with Lawrence.
- Charity C. -
"No other lawyer knows the science of DUI like Lawrence does."Lawrence is the best lawyer I have ever met. If your career is on the line then he is the guy. No other lawyer knows the science of DUI like Lawrence does. I will be forever grateful!- Greg S.
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"It was miracle!"
It was miracle!... A lot of people don't really understand the benefit of having an attorney who used to be a prosecutor. They know all the little tricks and scare tactics the state has as opposed to just hiring an attorney who is a little fish in a big pond.
- Joe C. -
"One of the best."Lawrence Koplow is one of the best DUI and vehicular defense attorneys in the state of Arizona. Anyone would be extremely fortunate to have him as their advocate.- Jack L.
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"You cannot go wrong with Lawrence."Lawrence thinks outside the box and goes above and beyond for his clients and the legal community at large. If you are looking for aggressive representation, you cannot go wrong with Lawrence.- Charity C.
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"Nobody knows the court and laws better than him."Lawrence represents very high-profile clients who greatly depend on a good outcome, and this guy will deliver. This is a prosecutors' worse nightmare, and it should be that way if you need an attorney.- David E.
DUI Library
The best DUI defense stuff that only a few know and none want to share. A one of a kind annotated resource for lawyers, people accused, or anyone who wants to see what’s going on in our justice system with DUI cases… and how to fix it.
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Scottsdale DUI Definitive GuideScottsdale DUI Definitive Guide
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The Definitive Guide to Defeating an Arizona DUIThe Definitive Guide to Defeating an Arizona DUI
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Field Sobriety Tests in Arizona DUI CasesField Sobriety Tests in Arizona DUI Cases
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Traffic Stops in Arizona DUI CasesTraffic Stops in Arizona DUI Cases
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Warrantless Blood Draws in Arizona DUI CasesWarrantless Blood Draws in Arizona DUI Cases
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Right to Counsel in Arizona DUI CasesRight to Counsel in Arizona DUI Cases
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Failure to Preserve EvidenceFailure to Preserve Evidence
