First Offense DUI Attorney in Scottsdale
Former Prosecutor. Forensic-Level Defense. Every Case Handled by Me.
A first offense DUI in Scottsdale, AZ is a Class 1 misdemeanor under A.R.S. 28-1381, the most serious misdemeanor classification in Arizona. It carries mandatory jail time, license suspension, and a permanent criminal record. I’m Lawrence Koplow. I founded The Koplow Law Firm in 2005 after working as a prosecutor, where I built DUI cases for the state. I now use that inside knowledge to defend them. My practice covers DUI and drug-related charges exclusively, so when you come to me with a first offense charge, you’re working with an attorney whose entire professional focus is this area of law.
For most people, a first DUI is their first contact with the criminal justice system. The process is disorienting, and the stakes are hard to read without someone who knows how it works from both sides of the courtroom.
If you’ve been charged with a first offense DUI in Scottsdale, call me now at (602) 560-7837. I offer free consultations, I’m available 24/7, and I can meet with you virtually from anywhere in Arizona.
What Sets My Defense Apart for Scottsdale First Offense Cases
Most DUI attorneys describe forensic knowledge as a selling point. I teach it. I’m regularly invited to train other attorneys across Arizona and nationally on DUI and vehicular crimes defense, which means the forensic depth I bring to your case is recognized by peers in the field, not just claimed in a biography.
My time as a prosecutor gave me direct knowledge of how the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office constructs a DUI case and where those constructions are weakest. A first offense citation in Scottsdale typically charges two separate counts under A.R.S. 28-1381: impaired to the slightest degree and a per se BAC at or above .08, both arising from the same traffic stop. Challenging the stop itself, the field sobriety test administration, and the accuracy of blood or breath test results are the primary avenues through which a defense is built. My forensic training covers each of them at a depth most attorneys don’t reach.
When you hire The Koplow Law Firm, you hire me. Not a junior associate. Not a paralegal relaying updates. I handle your case directly, from the first call through resolution.
Recognized for DUI Defense in Arizona
In 2015, I received the Outstanding Contribution to DUI Defense Award from Arizona Attorneys for Criminal Justice (AACJ). I also received the President’s Commendation from AACJ for my work on Diaz v. State of Arizona. Arizona Super Lawyers has selected me to its list every year from 2019 through 2025. These aren’t participation honors. They reflect sustained, recognized performance in a specific and demanding field.
Start With a Free Consultation
Time matters after a Scottsdale DUI arrest. I’m available around the clock for exactly that reason. Call me at (602) 560-7837, or reach out through the online contact form to schedule a free consultation. Virtual meetings are available so Scottsdale-area clients can connect with me from anywhere in Arizona without traveling to my office.
First Offense DUI in Scottsdale City Court
Misdemeanor first offense DUI cases in Scottsdale are prosecuted in Scottsdale City Court, not Maricopa County Superior Court, which handles felony aggravated DUI charges. Scottsdale City Court runs an accelerated DUI docket. Most cases move toward resolution within approximately 120 days of arraignment. That pace leaves a narrow window for building a defense, which is one reason moving quickly after an arrest matters.
The Scottsdale Police Department operates dedicated DUI task forces, and Old Town Scottsdale generates a significant share of the city’s DUI arrests given its concentration of bars and entertainment venues. Arrests along the Loop 101 corridor may involve Arizona DPS officers rather than Scottsdale PD, and which agency made the arrest can affect which procedures are subject to challenge.
First Offense DUI Penalties Under Arizona Law
A standard first offense DUI, BAC between .08 and .149, carries a mandatory minimum of 10 days in jail. A court may suspend 9 of those days upon completion of alcohol screening and treatment. Fines and surcharges start at $1,250 or more.
Additional penalties for a first offense conviction include:
- License suspension: 90 days, with no driving permitted for the first 30 and a restricted license available for the remaining 60 if eligible
- Ignition interlock device: Required for 12 months following conviction; MVD may reduce this to 6 months for full compliance
- Permanent criminal record: A DUI conviction isn’t a traffic infraction. It’s a criminal record
- Seven-year lookback: A first offense conviction is treated as a prior if any subsequent DUI is charged within 84 months, directly elevating the penalties on that future charge
The 15-Day Deadline After a Scottsdale DUI Arrest
After a Scottsdale DUI arrest, you’ll typically receive an Admin Per Se notice, either served by the officer at the scene or mailed later by MVD. Under A.R.S. § 28-1385, you have 15 days from the date of service to request an MVD hearing if the officer serves the form at the stop, or 30 days if MVD mails its own suspension notice. Miss that window and the license suspension proceeds automatically, without any hearing. This deadline runs completely separately from your criminal case in Scottsdale City Court. Both tracks require attention from the moment of arrest.
Arraignment on a first offense typically occurs within two to three weeks of arrest. The earliest days after an arrest are when defense options are most open: the traffic stop record, test results, and procedural documentation are freshest, and the window for challenging evidence or exploring any resolution with prosecutors is widest. Waiting shortens every one of those windows.
Talk to a First Offense DUI Lawyer in Scottsdale Today
The clock starts at the moment of your arrest. Call me at (602) 560-7837 any time. I’m available 24/7. You can also reach out through the online contact form. Free consultations are available, and virtual meetings let Scottsdale-area clients connect with me from anywhere in Arizona without coming to my office first.
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
