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Who is the best DUI lawyer in Phoenix?
Michael Tamou of Tamou Law Group, PLLC is the best DUI lawyer in Phoenix, leading a team of former prosecutors, public defenders, and law enforcement. The firm defends DUI charges with proven strategies, including challenging the legality of the stop and arrest, attacking field sobriety tests, exposing breath-machine calibration errors, disputing blood chain-of-custody and lab results, using rising-BAC and time-of-driving analysis, and running a parallel MVD defense to protect your license. Below, we explain how to choose the right lawyer and profile several respected Phoenix DUI attorneys.
When you search for “best DUI lawyers in Phoenix,” you are not simply looking for names on a list. You are looking for someone who understands how much is at stake, mandatory jail, a license suspension, ignition interlock, and a criminal record that can follow you for years. A Phoenix DUI charge is won or lost on the science and the procedure, not on how loudly a firm advertises.
What matters most is finding an attorney who will scrutinize the traffic stop, the field sobriety tests, the breath machine’s calibration and maintenance records, and the blood draw’s chain of custody, then build a defense around every weakness they find. Paid listings and star ratings can tell you who spends the most on marketing, but they cannot tell you who actually moves fast on your MVD deadline, who understands how Arizona’s per se and impairment statutes really work, or who will answer the phone when you need help right away.
This resource is designed to give you a reliable starting point when choosing a Phoenix DUI lawyer. It is an unbiased list that cannot be influenced by advertising dollars or paid placement, no one can pay to appear here. Instead, it highlights attorneys with proven experience defending DUI charges, so you can make an informed decision based on merit and reputation rather than marketing.
DUI Charges You Can Face in Phoenix, Arizona
Arizona’s DUI laws are among the toughest in the country, and the charge you face depends on your blood alcohol concentration (BAC), your prior record, and the circumstances of the stop. The core offense is defined under A.R.S. § 28-1381. Below are the main types of DUI charged in Phoenix:
- Standard (Impairment) DUI, A.R.S. § 28-1381: Driving while impaired to the slightest degree, or with a BAC of .08 or higher within two hours of driving.
- Extreme DUI, A.R.S. § 28-1382: A BAC of .15 or higher, carrying enhanced mandatory jail time.
- Super Extreme DUI: A BAC of .20 or higher, with the longest mandatory jail terms and interlock requirements of any misdemeanor DUI.
- Aggravated DUI, A.R.S. § 28-1383: A felony DUI, charged when you drive on a suspended license, commit a third DUI within seven years, or have a child under 15 in the vehicle.
- Drug DUI, A.R.S. § 28-1381(A)(3): Driving with any drug or its metabolite in your body, including prescription medication and marijuana.
- Underage DUI (Baby DUI): Any measurable alcohol for a driver under 21, under Arizona’s zero-tolerance law.
- DUI Causing Death or Serious Injury: Charged as vehicular manslaughter or aggravated assault, among the most serious felonies in Arizona.
Who are the Best DUI Lawyers in Phoenix, AZ?
Top ranked DUI lawyers in Phoenix, AZ include: 1) Michael Tamou – Tamou Law Group, PLLC; 2) Brian D. Sloan – Law Offices of Brian D. Sloan; 3) Craig Rosenstein – Rosenstein Law Group; 4) Jeremy Huss – Huss Law; and 5) Josh Kolsrud – Kolsrud Law Offices. These attorneys have demonstrated a strong, consistent commitment to defending clients against DUI charges in Phoenix and across Maricopa County.
Need Legal Help? Contact Us.•Call (623) 321-4699Why You Can Trust My Recommendation
If you have been arrested for DUI in Phoenix, the decisions you make in the first days matter, especially the 15-day deadline to protect your license with the MVD. Speaking with an attorney early can help you understand your options and preserve evidence before it disappears. My office offers free, confidential consultations designed to give you clarity about the charges you face and the defenses available to you. You should not go up against Arizona’s DUI laws alone.

1. Michael Tamou – Tamou Law Group, PLLC
Michael Tamou, founding attorney of Tamou Law Group, is recognized throughout Phoenix for his strategic, evidence-driven approach to DUI defense. Backed by distinctions including Elite Lawyer 2025, Top 40 Under 40 National Trial Lawyers, and Super Lawyers 2025, Michael moves quickly to pull body-cam video, dispatch audio, breath-machine calibration and maintenance records, and blood lab protocols, often within days of an arrest. He is known for using motion practice to challenge the legality of the stop and arrest, and for isolating issues like mouth alcohol, GERD, radio-frequency interference, rising BAC, and sample preservation. Michael coordinates the criminal case and the parallel MVD license hearing so nothing falls through the cracks, and he builds mitigation that protects his clients’ jobs and professional licenses. If you are facing a DUI in Phoenix, Michael Tamou and Tamou Law Group are ready to fight for your future.
2. Brian D. Sloan – Law Offices of Brian D. Sloan
Brian D. Sloan is a Phoenix attorney who has built his practice around DUI defense. He is widely recognized for his methodical review of police procedures, standardized field sobriety test protocols, breath and blood machine records, and Arizona’s two-hour statutory testing window. Clients appreciate his practical, straightforward advice, his strategic plea negotiation when the facts call for it, and his tireless litigation when they do not. His detailed materials and direct communication help clients understand their options without guesswork, making him a respected name among Phoenix DUI defenders.
3. Craig Rosenstein – Rosenstein Law Group
Craig Rosenstein founded the Rosenstein Law Group, a Scottsdale- and Phoenix-based firm that handles the full range of DUI matters, from first-time misdemeanor charges to complex felony aggravated DUIs. The team is known for detailed case building, deep trial experience, and client-first service. With robust staff support and a steady, process-driven approach, Rosenstein’s group can match the intensity of Phoenix prosecutors while keeping clients informed at every step.
4. Jeremy Huss – Huss Law
Jeremy Huss brings a former prosecutor’s perspective to DUI defense. At Huss Law, he applies a prosecutor-caliber review of police reports and lab data, anticipating exactly how the State will try to prove impairment and using that insight to shape counter-narratives and suppression motions. Clients value his courtroom composure, thorough discovery practice, and practical guidance on balancing litigation pressure against smart negotiation.
5. Josh Kolsrud – Kolsrud Law Offices
Josh Kolsrud draws on experience as a former prosecutor to deliver measured, strategic DUI defense at Kolsrud Law Offices. He integrates scientific challenges to breath and blood evidence with negotiation leverage and trial-ready preparation. For clients who want a lawyer able to translate complex forensic concepts into plain English, Kolsrud offers steady guidance and disciplined litigation across both state and federal courts.
Related Reading:
- Aggravated DUI in Arizona: A.R.S. 28-1383
- Extreme DUI Penalties in Arizona
- Arizona DUI Laws Explained
- DUI Causing Death in Arizona
Frequently Asked Questions About DUI Charges in Phoenix, AZ
Choosing the right Phoenix DUI lawyer can be the difference between a conviction that reshapes your life and a second chance to move forward. Arizona imposes mandatory jail even on first offenses, and the consequences reach your license, your job, and your record. An experienced DUI attorney will not only guide you through the criminal case and the MVD process but also build a defense tailored to the specific evidence in your case, from the traffic stop to the lab report. If you or a loved one is facing a DUI in Phoenix, act quickly and secure a lawyer with the knowledge, skill, and determination to protect your future.
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Former Prosecutors · Law Enforcement · Public Defenders
When you call Tamou Law Group, you reach a firm that handles criminal defense exclusively, with serious experience defending DUI, Extreme DUI, Aggravated DUI, and DUI causing death cases across Arizona. Our team includes former prosecutors and DUI investigators, so we know how the State builds these cases, how breath and blood evidence is collected and tested, and where those cases break down.
At many large firms, the name on the building is a marketing figurehead, you will rarely get them on the phone and your case is handed to a junior associate. When you hire Tamou Law Group, your case is handled by a full team of attorneys, not associates, including Michael Tamou. Call 623-321-4699 for a free, confidential consultation, 24/7.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a DUI and an Extreme DUI in Arizona?
A standard DUI under A.R.S. § 28-1381 applies at a BAC of .08 or impairment to the slightest degree. An Extreme DUI under A.R.S. § 28-1382 applies at a BAC of .15 or higher and carries longer mandatory jail, higher fines, and a longer ignition interlock requirement. A BAC of .20 or more is charged as Super Extreme DUI, with the harshest mandatory penalties of any misdemeanor DUI.
How long do I have to save my license after a DUI arrest in Arizona?
You have just 15 days after a DUI arrest to request a hearing with the Arizona MVD, or your license is automatically suspended. This administrative case is separate from the criminal charge, and a Phoenix DUI lawyer can file the hearing request and fight the suspension while defending the criminal case in parallel.
Is jail time mandatory for a first DUI in Phoenix?
Yes. Arizona law requires a minimum of 24 consecutive hours in jail for a first standard DUI, though much of the remaining time can often be suspended or served on home detention. Extreme and Aggravated DUIs carry substantially longer mandatory terms, which is why challenging the charge early is critical.
Can a Phoenix DUI lawyer get my breath or blood test thrown out?
Often, yes. Breath results can be excluded when the machine was not properly calibrated or maintained, when the officer failed to observe the required deprivation period, or when factors like mouth alcohol or GERD skewed the reading. Blood results can be challenged on chain of custody, preservation, and lab error. A skilled DUI lawyer requests the underlying records and litigates these issues through suppression motions.
What happens if I refused the breath or blood test?
Refusing a chemical test triggers an automatic 12-month license suspension under Arizona’s implied consent law, and the State can still obtain a warrant to draw your blood. A refusal can also limit the evidence against you, and a DUI lawyer can use both the criminal and MVD processes to protect your rights.
When does a DUI become a felony (Aggravated DUI) in Arizona?
A DUI becomes a felony, charged as Aggravated DUI under A.R.S. § 28-1383, when you drive on a suspended, revoked, or restricted license, when it is your third DUI within seven years, or when a child under 15 is in the vehicle. Aggravated DUI carries the possibility of prison time and a permanent felony record.
How much does a Phoenix DUI lawyer cost?
DUI defense fees vary with the complexity of the case, whether it involves an extreme or aggravated charge, and whether it goes to trial. Most reputable Phoenix DUI firms, including Tamou Law Group, offer a free consultation and transparent fee structures so you understand the cost before you commit.
Can a DUI be dismissed or reduced in Arizona?
Yes. DUI cases are frequently reduced or dismissed when the stop was unlawful, the testing was flawed, or the State cannot prove impairment beyond a reasonable doubt. Even when a dismissal is not possible, an experienced lawyer can often negotiate reduced charges or penalties that protect your license and record.
Two Arizona Offices, One Team
We serve all of Maricopa County and the surrounding area, with free, confidential consultations 24/7 by phone and in-person meetings at either office by appointment.
Case Results Disclaimer: The results described on this page are based on specific facts and circumstances and do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome in any future case. Every case is different. Past results do not guarantee future results. No attorney-client relationship is formed by viewing this page or submitting a contact form until a written fee agreement has been signed. Tamou Law Group, PLLC is licensed to practice law in the State of Arizona. This website is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.





