Scottsdale Criminal Defense & DUI Lawyers

It depends on the charge. Most Scottsdale misdemeanors — including misdemeanor DUI, domestic violence, assault, disorderly conduct, and shoplifting — are heard in the Scottsdale City Court at 3700 N. 75th St. Felonies are filed in Maricopa County Superior Court in downtown Phoenix. A few matters near the city’s northern edge can fall to the Desert Ridge or McDowell Mountain Justice Courts.

A standard misdemeanor DUI in Scottsdale is prosecuted by the Scottsdale City Prosecutor in Scottsdale City Court. A felony (aggravated) DUI — such as a DUI with a suspended license, a third DUI, or one with a child in the car — is prosecuted by the Maricopa County Attorney in Superior Court. The forum changes the stakes, so it matters which one you’re facing.

Scottsdale operates its own municipal jail on the same 75th Street campus as the court, so routine Scottsdale arrestees are usually booked there rather than driven straight to a county facility. Release and bond are handled locally. See our Scottsdale City Jail guide for the full release process.

Offenses on the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, which borders Scottsdale to the east, are handled by Salt River Police and can fall under tribal or federal jurisdiction rather than Arizona state court. This changes the prosecutor, the rules, and the deadlines, so it’s critical to confirm exactly where the arrest occurred.

Not always. For many misdemeanors, a defense attorney can appear on your behalf and handle routine court dates for you, though the court can still require your personal appearance at certain hearings. Having a lawyer manage your Scottsdale City Court schedule helps you avoid a missed date and a bench warrant.

Most Scottsdale criminal defense lawyers charge a flat fee that depends on the charge, roughly $1,500–$3,500 for a misdemeanor and $5,000 or more for a felony, based on complexity and whether it goes to trial. Tamou Law Group gives you clear, upfront pricing and a free consultation. Call 623-321-4699.

Yes. Arizona prosecutors pursue convictions aggressively, and even a misdemeanor can bring jail, fines, and a permanent record. A defense lawyer protects your rights, challenges the evidence, and often gets charges reduced or dismissed. You should never face a charge, or talk to police, without one.

Stay calm and do not resist, then invoke your right to remain silent, do not answer questions or try to explain, and do not consent to any search. Ask for a lawyer immediately and say nothing else. If you were booked into the Scottsdale City Jail on 75th Street, call Tamou Law Group at 623-321-4699, available 24/7.

No. Anything you say can be used against you, and officers are trained to draw out admissions even from innocent people. Politely say you are invoking your right to remain silent and want a lawyer, then stop talking. Let your attorney handle all communication with police.

Yes, and it happens often. Charges are dismissed when evidence came from an illegal stop or search, the State cannot prove an element, a key witness is unreliable, or the case qualifies for a diversion program. Early, aggressive defense is what creates those outcomes.

A misdemeanor (classes 1–3) carries up to six months in jail and a lasting record, while a felony (classes 1–6) can mean prison, loss of gun and voting rights, and lifelong consequences. In Scottsdale, misdemeanors are prosecuted in Scottsdale City Court, while felonies are filed in Maricopa County Superior Court. Many felonies can be fought down to misdemeanors with the right defense.

Not necessarily. First-time offenders often qualify for diversion or a plea that avoids a conviction, and Arizona now lets many convictions be sealed under A.R.S. 13-911. The goal is to keep the offense off your record so it does not follow you to jobs and housing.

A misdemeanor usually resolves in one to four months, while a felony can take six months to over a year depending on complexity and whether it goes to trial. We move quickly where speed helps you and never rush a case that needs to be fought.

Yes. We offer a free, confidential consultation and 24-hour emergency service for arrests. We will review your charges, explain your options, and give you a clear plan with no obligation. Call or text 623-321-4699 anytime, day or night.

We defend clients throughout Scottsdale, Phoenix, and greater Maricopa County, and across Arizona, with offices at 9375 E Shea Blvd in Scottsdale and 2390 E Camelback Rd in Phoenix. We appear in Scottsdale City Court, Maricopa County Superior Court, and every Valley municipal and justice court.

Arizona does not fully “expunge” most records, but a 2023 law (A.R.S. 13-911) now lets many convictions be sealed from public view, and A.R.S. 13-905 allows a conviction to be set aside. That can keep an old charge from showing up on background checks. We can review your eligibility.

Only in limited situations, with valid consent, probable cause, or a recognized exception. If police searched you, your car, or your phone without a warrant or real justification, that evidence can be suppressed and the case can fall apart. Never consent to a search, and let your lawyer challenge it.

A plea deal is an agreement to plead guilty, usually to a reduced charge, in exchange for a lighter sentence. Some are excellent, others give away a winnable case. Never accept one without a lawyer reviewing the evidence, because a good defense often produces a far better offer, or a dismissal.

Look for a firm that focuses on criminal and DUI defense, has strong verified reviews and real case results, is available 24/7, and gives you honest, direct answers, not pressure. Tamou Law Group is award-winning, rated 5.0 on Google, and offers a free consultation. Call 623-321-4699.