Navajo County Superior Court DUI Defense Attorney

If you have been arrested for a DUI in Show Low, Holbrook, Pinetop, or any other city/town in Navajo County, the DUI Law Specialists at Rosenstein Law Group can help. Call us now for your free initial consultation at (480) 248-7666 to find out how the experienced defense attorneys at the Rosenstein Law Group can help when it comes to your criminal case.

Going to court can feel stressful, and it’s more uncomfortable if you don’t know what to expect. If you’re involved with the court system in Navajo County, here’s what you want to consider, so you can attend your court date with confidence.

The Navajo County Superior Court Locations

The Navajo County Superior Court has two locations, which are located at:

Navajo County Superior Court (County seat – Holbrook, AZ):

100 East Code Talkers Drive

PO Box 668

Holbrook, AZ 86025

Navajo County Superior Court (Show Low):

550 North 9th Place,

Show Low, AZ 85901

For case information, you may call the clerk’s office: (928) 524-4188.

The Navajo County Superior Court handles matters including civil, criminal, mental health, probate, and family law.

Structure and Process of a Criminal Case in Navajo County Superior Court

The criminal case procedure heard in a Navajo County Superior Court will likely proceed as follows:

Initial Appearance:

• This is the first time a defendant will be required to appear in court. If a defendant is in custody, this is conducted within 24 hours. If a defendant is not in custody, they will be sent a document with the date and time of the initial appearance. This is known as a summons.
• At this appearance, the defendant is advised of the formal charges against them and their right to a defense and an attorney. If a defendant cannot afford an attorney, an attorney will be appointed for them at this appearance. The judge will also set the conditions for release from jail as well as a new court date for the next hearing.

Bond Set:

Once a defendant’s bond is set at the initial appearance, the defendant’s release is conditioned upon the terms of that bond.

Status Conference:

A status conference is a meeting at court. This is an opportunity for a defendant’s defense lawyer and the prosecutor to resolve the case. If agreement is reached during this conference, a sentencing hearing is scheduled in which the judge will consider the matter. If no agreement is reached, the court will schedule a preliminary hearing.

Preliminary Hearing:

• A preliminary hearing is also known as a probable cause hearing. At this time, the prosecutor presents evidence to the court to prove they have probable cause to proceed on the charges. The judge may either dismiss the case for insufficient evidence or order a trial.
• At this point, your case may be “scratched” or temporarily dismissed. This only applies to felony charges. If a case has been scratched, it may still be filed in the future. The state has seven years to file a case for a felony charge, so it is important to know that if your case is scratched, that does not mean it is going away for good.

Grand Jury:

The grand jury, comprised of 16 jurors, is another method for initiating charges. The grand jury determines whether probable cause exists based on evidence presented by the prosecutor. If the grand jury decides there is probable cause, a defendant will receive a grand jury indictment.

Arraignment:

An arraignment is the defendant’s opportunity to enter a plea to the charges. If the defendant enters a “not guilty” plea, a court date will be set. If the defendant enters a “guilty” plea, a sentencing hearing will be scheduled.

Trial:

• If a criminal case goes to trial, the state must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant committed the crime. Superior Court juries have eight or twelve jurors depending on the charges. A verdict must be unanimous, or a mistrial can be declared, and the case could be retried.
• If the defendant and prosecutor agree to a bench trial, no jury will participate, and the judge will determine the verdict.
• If the defendant receives a not guilty verdict, the charges are dismissed, and the defendant cannot be retried on the same charge.

Sentencing: (If necessary)

If the defendant receives a guilty verdict, they face a range of possible sentences. The judge will set a sentencing date, where both the defense and prosecution may present evidence to help the judge determine an appropriate sentence.

Trials and Sentences for Felony DUIs

A DUI conviction can have a devastating impact on a person’s life. A defendant must work with an experienced Navajo County or Tempe DUI defense attorney as soon as they receive a citation or face arrest. A DUI can be considered a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the exact circumstances of your case. It is essential to have proper legal representation whether you are charged with a misdemeanor or a felony.

Still, a felony DUI will have more severe consequences.

Types of Felony DUI Charges out of Navajo County Superior Court

There are two felony charges for DUI, including:

Class 4 Felony — Any driver who was arrested and charged with a DUI while operating on a suspended or revoked license, having two or more prior DUIs in 7 years, or is accused of a DUI under order to use an ignition interlock device may be charged with a level four felony. If you are charged with a Class 4 Felony, you could be facing a minimum of four years in prison and over $4,000 in fines. In addition, they will lose their right to drive for one year and be forced to have an ignition lock device for not less than two years when their license is reinstated. You must complete a substance abuse treatment plan before reinstatement in some cases.

Class 6 Felony — If you are arrested for DUI with a child under 15 in the vehicle, you may be charged with a level 6 felony. In these cases, with competent legal representation, it is possible to negotiate the charges down to a misdemeanor charge.

Free Consultation with a Navajo County DUI Defense Attorney

Rosenstein Law Group has the experience you need when facing a DUI charge. We serve defendants across the Greater Phoenix metro area, including Scottsdale, Mesa, Tempe, Chandler, Gilbert, Phoenix, Queen Creek, Glendale, Surprise, Peoria, Tucson, Flagstaff, and across Arizona. Contact us today at (480) 248-7666 for a free, no-risk consultation. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.