If local or state law enforcement pulls you over in traffic to question you on suspicion of drunk driving in Arizona, you have the right to refuse two things:
1) You can refuse to speak to police without an attorney present, and …
2) You can refuse to attempt to perform one of our state’s especially strenuous field sobriety tests.
The one phase of your DUI arrest that you should not refuse, however, is the breath or blood testing portion of a police investigation. A refusal can be its own separate charge and carry especially harsh consequences, such as a year-long suspension of your driver’s license.
Think of it: complete dependence on public transportation to get to your job, so you can continue to provide for your family; zero spontaneous freedom of movement in a highly mobile society; sharply increased insurance premiums; and damage to your personal and professional reputations.
Let’s recap. Is a DUI breath test refusal a good idea?
In a word: no. Police are also within their rights to obtain a search warrant, to secure a sample of your blood. Let’s face it: refusals are no-win situations.
Are your Arizona driving privileges at risk, not to mention your finances due to heavy fines, because you refused to cooperate with law enforcement at a DUI arrest scene? Experienced DUI and criminal defense attorney Steven Zachary of the Zachary Law Group in Gilbert works hard to protect your rights.
The cornerstone of Steven Zachary’s law practice — and the attentive personal service that comes with it — is the belief that every problem has a solution. You can pretend the problem doesn’t exist, you can refuse to accept responsibility for it, you can try to buy or talk your way out of it … or you can “Zach it.”
The law is on your side. Call today and take your worry away with an initial consultation. 
