Scottsdale DUI Definitive Guide

SCOTTSDALE DUI ATTORNEY DEFINITIVE GUIDE

Unique Issues and Special Information for Scottsdale, AZ DUI Cases

Talk to a Lawyer Today
Koplow logo

All You Need to Know About DUI in Scottsdale, AZ

KOPLOW LAW FIRM - EXPERIENCED scottsdale DUI Lawyer

Scottsdale DUI cases are different. Most people could not know this fact. Unless you have other DUI arrests to compare. The good news is you don’t have to get arrested somewhere else to learn the difference. Here are some important things only an experienced Scottsdale DUI attorney knows.

Koplow logo

In This Guide


Unique issues such as DUI Quotas, Prosecutor  and Scottsdale Crime Lab Scandals

How a typical DUI progresses through the court in Scottsdale AZ

Essential information to Scottsdale DUI allegations necessary for your defense

Scottsdale, AZ DUI City Court
Ready to Fix This?

Essential Information About

Scottsdale, AZ DUI Cases

Scottsdale Crime Lab Scandals in DUI Cases

Scottsdale DUI cases almost always rely on the results of a chemical test(s). Thus, if you are arrested for a DUI in Scottsdale you need to know of any issues that cast doubt on the trustworthiness of the results of these chemical tests (i.e. blood and breath).

Software Errors

Between 2010-2016 the Scottsdale Crime Laboratory used instruments suffering from catastrophic software errors to test blood samples in Scottsdale AZ DUI cases. The kinds of errors that occurred included:

Scottsdale Crime Lab Scandals in DUI Cases Software Errors
  • Results assigned to the wrong person
  • Inaccurate blood test results 
Scottsdale Crime Lab Scandals in DUI Cases Software Errors
  • Misidentified results
  • Data Suppression from the analysis by the computer
Scottsdale Arizona DUI Lawyer | Blood Sample Software Errors

Myself, and a handful of other Scottsdale AZ DUI Lawyers, challenged the issue in a series of legal hearings. As these hearing went on systemic flaws in their testing process was revealed.  Within the last few years we have still found unresolved software errors in the Scottsdale AZ crime laboratory.

Blood Sample Tampering

In 2016, a blood sample was seized from a person accused of DUI. The blood sample is contained in a tube called a vacutainer. As is customary, a police officer collected two samples. Each sample in their own tube. The tubes of blood were sealed with red evidence tape. 


A Scottsdale Crime Laboratory Analyst tested one of the blood samples for an alcohol concentration. This required her to open on of the blood tubes and break the red evidence tape. The second tube is intended to be in storage for the accused to test if they chose.

Scottsdale Arizona DUI Lawyer | Blood Sample Tampering

The analyst did not report any issues with her analysis. Her result claimed that the person’s sample contained an alcohol concentration above Arizona’s legal limit. The prosecution of the accused in Scottsdale City for DUI went forward based on her results. 


She subsequently informed the laboratory that she was “planning on leaving the country” (you can’t make this stuff up if your tried). As a result, the lab states it retested several samples where the associated cases was set for trial.


When a member of the lab evaluated her work they essentially concluded that she attempted to cover a mistake. To do so she clandestinely opened the second tube and passed off a different result as her original test. If there was not a reason for someone to check her work (because of her plans to leave the country) it would have never been discovered.

Fire Destroys Blood Evidence

On July 13, 2019, an officer arrived at one of the Scottsdale Police Department’s Substations and noticed an odor of smoke. He discovered a refrigerator used to store DUI blood samples had been burned by fire. Several blood samples in DUI cases were also burned, damaged and destroyed.

Contamination Discovered

On May 6, 2020, an internal Scottsdale Crime Laboratory Memorandum revealed methanol contamination in a “control” used during an alcohol testing run. The source of the contamination is unknown.

Scottsdale Arizona DUI Lawyer | Crime Lab Contamination Discovered

How are Scottsdale DUI cases different from other DUI cases?

To start, the Scottsdale Police Department is very aggressive when it comes to DUI enforcement. Sometimes they are so aggressive that there is a danger of a rush to judgment. There is objective evidence demonstrating many people have been accused of DUI in Scottsdale and it was subsequently determined they were innocent.

Scottsdale Arizona DUI Cases | Breath Test

The Scottsdale Police Department is one of the few law enforcement agencies that require a person suspected of DUI to perform both an intoxilyzer breath test and also provide a blood sample.

Scottsdale Arizona DUI Cases | Breath Test

More news about Scottsdale City Prosecutor’s Office: Fired Scottsdale Prosecutor Sues City

Fired Scottsdale prosecutor sues city. He says he blew whistle on unfair DUI convictions Lorraine Longhi Arizona Republic

How many DUI cases does the Scottsdale City Court handle each year?

Scottsdale police make a significant amount of DUI arrest each year. To give you an idea of the volume of DUI cases that are prosecuted in this court let’s look at 2018. According to the Scottsdale City Court’s 2018 Annual Report, 14,763 criminal matters filed: 434 were DUI cases.


Does the Scottsdale City Court make a profit?

Scottsdale Arizona DUI | Scottsdale City Court Profit

Accordingly to a 2016 study by the Goldwater Institute, not only does court have a net revenue, it’s actually one of the top-earning courts in Arizona. The Scottsdale City Court’s Revenue was: $7,766,086, but the court’s expenses were a mere $4,742,649 in comparison. As a result, the court had a net profit of approximately $3,000,000.00.


Does the Scottsdale Police Department have DUI quotas?

They will tell you no, but…


I discovered this by chance during a jury trial. Instead of using the word “quota” they call it a SMART Goal. As you can see from the above screenshot taken from a Scottsdale City Counsel Quarterly Report, the Scottsdale Police Department has a SMART goal 2400 DUI arrest per year.

Scottsdale Arizona DUI | Scottsdale City Court Profit

They also have a goal to have 70% of those arrested to be of non-Scottsdale residents. Why would arresting more people, who don’t live in Scottsdale but commit the crime of DUI there, the make the city safer? (I live in Scottsdale and this statistic definitely does not make me feel safer).


Why is my DUI in Scottsdale City Court and not a Justice Court?

Scottsdale Arizona DUI | Scottsdale Police

Most DUI arrests in Scottsdale are processed and prosecuted in the Scottsdale City Court. The deciding factor that determines what court your case will be sent is which police department makes the arrest.

When an officer makes an arrest they have discretion to submit to the case to any court that have jurisdiction. In scottsdale there are two possible court. The Scottsdale City court or the West Mesa Justice Court (the name is misleading).


Does the Scottsdale Court permit an out-of-state resident to resolve a DUI without returning to Arizona?

It is legally possible for a person arrested for DUI who was merely visiting Scottsdale to resolve their case without returning to Arizona. However, this is a very fact-specific issue.


Why didn’t the officer read me my Miranda rights until the investigation was almost over?

Scottsdale is one of the only police departments in Arizona that will wait until the entire DUI investigation is almost completed – to inform you of your legal rights. Their standard practice is to inform you of your right to consult with a lawyer after obtaining your consent to a chemical test.


Does the Scottsdale City Court have a way to look up information on a DUI case up online?

Yes. However, a word of caution – the court’s online system is not always correct and there are often delays between when the court (or law enforcement) makes a decision and when it posted online. Here is a link Scottsdale City Court’s CASE SEARCH.


Do Scottsdale police officers have body cameras that record video?

Yes. In 2017, the Scottsdale Police Department announced they would be switching to the Axon Flex 2 body camera.


According to Scottsdale Police Department Policy officer are required to activate their “on-body camera” (OBC) to record all citizen contacts when performing their official duties. However, the videos they provide often are muted or edited. If a criminal defense attorney wants to see if this has occurred then they might be able to obtain metadata from the recording software.

Scottsdale Arizona DUI | Scottsdale Police Body Camera

The Scottsdale Police Department has started to acknowledge some of the problems that have arisen since officers have started using on-body cameras. Here are the results of a June 2018 internal Police Body Camera Audit: AUDIT REPORT NO. 1808


Scottsdale Jury Duty

The Scottsdale City Court contracts with Maricopa County Superior Court to handle the process of sending jury duty summonses to potential jurors by mail. Effective June 30, 2020, the Scottsdale City Counsel will extend their contract with the Superior court another two-years.


Once a person receives a summons for jury duty and appears, the process of selecting which jurors in the “pool” will actually sit to decide a case is called voir dire. During this process the prosecutor and the criminal defense attorney will select the people that will actually hear the case.


Court Contact Information

Wondering "How do I get to the Scottsdale City Court?" Or maybe, "How to contact the Scottsdale court?"

Address: 3700 N 75th St, Scottsdale, AZ 85251

Phone: (480) 312-2442

Fax: 480-312-2764

Email: court@scottsdaleaz.gov

Website: https://www.scottsdaleaz.gov

Scottsdale Police Officers on the Brady List

The United States Supreme Court, in the case of Brady v. Maryland, held that the government must disclose to the defense all evidence that is favorable or may exonerate a defendant. As a result, prosecution officers have created so called “Brady Lists” identifying officers that have demonstrated dishonesty through their conduct. Under Brady, the government must disclose exculpatory evidence to a criminal defense lawyer even without a request.

Search Arizona's Brady List

"Lawrence represents very high-profile clients who greatly depend on a good outcome, and this guy will deliver. 

This is a prosecutor's worst nightmare, and it should be that way if you need an attorney."

- David E.

Real Client's Husband, Phoenix, AZ

For more information about our Scottsdale DUI lawyer, call our office at (602)-494-3444 or visit our contact page.
Koplow logo

What Real People Are Saying

That is, DUI cases actually dismissed. Verifiable not guilty verdicts. Blood alcohol evidence truly suppressed as witnessed by judges, other lawyers, and newspapers.

Real Client's Husband, Phoenix, AZ

"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.

REAL CLIENT, PHOENIX, AZ

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.

Contact Our Scottsdale DUI Lawyer Today!


For more information, call our office at (602) 494-3444 or fill out the form and we will get back to you.

Contact Us

Legal Coffee Blog | Arizona DUI


By Lawrence Koplow 09 Sep, 2020
The reported results of a BAC test in DUI cases appear to provide the answer we are seeking: how much ethanol is in a person’s blood.  However, let’s look at the fine print. The Reported Results A machine called a gas chromatograph is used to measure an alcohol concentration in blood samples.   The measurement, which […] The post Reported Result vs. Complete Result appeared first on Lawrence Koplow: Arizona DUI Attorney | Phoenix & Scottsdale.
By Lawrence Koplow 05 Sep, 2020
The appearance of science can become the appearance of truth - even when the junk science is employed. Do we provide enough bandwidth to debunk these unreliable scientific claims? The post A Legal Bandwidth Problem appeared first on Lawrence Koplow: Arizona DUI Attorney | Phoenix & Scottsdale.
By Lawrence Koplow 27 Aug, 2020
Measuring is different from counting. However, in forensic science the two are often suggested to be the same. This needs to change. MEASURING Measuring is the assignment of a number, and all the uncertainties of that of that number, to something.  The purpose of assigning a number is to give meaning to the object measured. […] The post Measuring and Counting | Forensic Science appeared first on Lawrence Koplow: Arizona DUI Attorney | Phoenix & Scottsdale.
Show More
Share by: