available 24/7
Free Consultation
When facing a DUI at the El Centro Justice Court, it is vital to have a knowledgeable board-certified DUI attorney to fight for your rights. The process of the court can be very confusing and if found guilty you face life-changing consequences. Therefore, it is wise to have an attorney to protect your rights.
The board-certified El Centro Justice Court DUI attorneys at Rosenstein Law Group provide free consultations to explain the process and possible outcomes. The Rosenstein Law Group can be reached 24/7 at 408-248-7666.
The El Centro Justice Court is a limited-jurisdiction court serving a defined precinct in Phoenix, Arizona. The court handles misdemeanor criminal offenses, including DUI and other criminal traffic offenses, as well as civil traffic matters, civil lawsuits within the court’s jurisdiction, small claims, evictions, and certain protective-order matters. Maricopa County officially renamed the former Downtown Justice Court as the El Centro Justice Court beginning January 1, 2024.
The El Centro Justice Court precinct is generally bounded by 19th Drive to the west, 56th Street to the east, Thomas Road to the north, and Lower Buckeye Road to the south. Because justice court jurisdiction is based on geographic precinct boundaries, the location where the alleged offense occurred can determine whether the case belongs in El Centro Justice Court.
The Maricopa County Justice Courts provide downloadable forms for criminal traffic and misdemeanor cases, including a Notice of Counsel, general motions, a Motion/Notice for Change of Judge, applications to set aside a judgment or conviction, Second Chance applications, petitions to seal criminal records, and requests to change contact information. The court states that these forms may be filed with the court.
When filing a motion or other court document, use the form that applies to your case and make sure all information is complete and legible. If you need a form that is not available online, the Justice Courts instruct you to contact the appropriate court directly.
There may be filing costs for certain documents, although some fees may be eligible for waiver or deferral. The Justice Courts advise individuals seeking a fee waiver or deferral to speak with a court clerk before submitting the application.
You can be charged with DUI if you are arrested while driving or in actual physical control of a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (“BAC”) of 0.08%. (This number decreases to 0.04% if you are operating a commercial vehicle.) If you are not 21, you can be charged with DUI if you have any detectable amount of alcohol in your system while driving or in actual physical control of a vehicle.
First-offense DUIs can result in a minimum of ten days in jail, a minimum fine of at least $1,250. The court may order alcohol screening/treatment and community service. You may also have to equip your vehicle with an ignition interlock device. If arrested for a second or subsequent DUI offense, you are looking at a minimum of 90 days in jail, paying a fine of at least $3000, and having your driver’s license suspended for up to a year. Moreover, you will be required to complete alcohol screening/treatment, perform community service, and equip your vehicle with an ignition interlock device.
If you are operating a vehicle with a BAC of 0.15%, or higher you will be arrested for an extreme DUI
For your first offense, you will be required to serve at least 30 days in jail and pay a minimum fine of $2500. Also, you will be required to complete alcohol screening/treatment, perform community service, and equip your car with an ignition interlock device. For the second and subsequent offense, you face a minimum jail sentence of 120 days, and a fine of at least $3,250, you can also lose your driver’s license for a year.
To be charged with an aggravated DUI you must be driving with a BAC of 0.08% or more while your driver’s license is suspended, canceled, or revoked, have 3 DUIs within an 84-month period, or be arrested for a DUI while with a passenger who is younger than 15 years old.
The punishment is a prison sentence of up to 2 years, a loss of your driving privileges for up to a year, and a requirement to complete alcohol screening/treatment, perform community service, and equip your car with an ignition interlock device.
In addition, you can receive a DUI if you are under the influence of drugs, even if you are not impaired and a doctor prescribed them, this includes medical marijuana.
Given the consequences of a DUI, you need a knowledgeable Phoenix DUI defense attorney fighting for you at the El Centro Justice Court.
Arizona is known for having some of the most severe penalties in the nation for DUIs. So, although you have the right to present your own defense for any offense, it is a good idea to hire an experienced DUI attorney.
The El Centro Justice Courts address is 620 W. Jackson Street Phoenix, AZ. You can reach the court by calling (602) 372-6300. The court hours are 8 AM to 5 PM Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. For general visitors, metered public parking is available in the downtown area near the courthouse complex. The Maricopa County Public Defender’s Office, which is also located at 620 W. Jackson Street, states that metered parking is available across the street from the building entrance. The County also identifies a free parking lot on Madison Avenue, just west of 5th Avenue, during business hours, with additional private parking garages nearby. Visitors should allow enough time to park and complete courthouse security screening before their scheduled hearing. The current Justice of the Peace is Hon. Jennifer Sama. For more information about the El Centro Justice Court please visit justicecourts.maricopa.gov.
The first step in the DUI process, after your arrest, is the initial appearance/arraignment where the court will advise you of charges and inform you of what the maximum penalty is. At this time, you will also enter a plea of guilty or not guilty. After the initial appearance/arraignment, your attorney will review the evidence and work tirelessly to build up a defense for you. If the case does not resolve outside of trial, you will continue to trial. At the trial, your attorney will put on you defense and the State will present its case against you in front of a jury of your peers. The jury will weigh all the evidence presented and come to a verdict of guilty or not guilty. If you are found guilty, the court will sentence you at the end of trial.
The Rosenstein Law Group has the only board-certified DUI attorneys in the county. Having our attorneys on your case puts your mind at ease, knowing you are getting the best defense possible in your DUI case at the El Centro Justice Court.
What are the advantages of using one of our board-certified attorneys to fight your DUI charge? Our firm has over 100 years of combined legal experience. Our board-certified DUI attorneys will manage all aspects of your case. Our attorneys know that every client facing a DUI at El Centro (East Phoenix 1) Justice Court deserves to be catered to depending on their unique needs. We will investigate every angle of your case to ensure you are given the best chance to prevail. We offer a no-charge DUI initial consultation. Contact one of our board-certified DUI defense attorneys at 480-248-7666 or by clicking here.