Practice areas: DUI-DWI, Criminal Defense
Licensed in Arizona since: 2017
Education: Arizona Summit Law School
Languages spoken: English, Spanish
Selected to Rising Stars: 2023 - 2026 
Free Consultation Future First Criminal Law
2999 N 44th StSuite 307
Phoenix, AZ 85018 Phone: 602-932-7890 Email: Zachary Divelbiss Visit website
Details 
Zach, a proud native of Arizona, is the driving force behind Future First Criminal Law. His journey to becoming a formidable defender of justice began during his college years at Arizona State University. Despite his run-ins with the law, Zach faced the challenges head-on, representing himself in court even before obtaining his law degree. It was during these early encounters with the legal system that Zach witnessed firsthand the injustices prevalent in Arizona’s courts.
Driven by a passion to understand every facet of criminal law and to advocate for those navigating the complexities of the justice system, Zach pursued a legal education. Graduating with honors and earning the prestigious Mission Pillar Award, Zach emerged as a beacon of excellence in his field.
With a wealth of experience in criminal defense, Zach founded Future First Criminal Law to champion the rights of the accused. His unwavering commitment extends to helping first-time offenders secure the best possible outcome, safeguarding their future prospects. Zach firmly believes that incarceration is not the solution in our justice system, standing in stark contrast to prosecutors who view jail time as a panacea for all woes.
At Future First Criminal Law, Zach and his team are dedicated to leveling the playing field, ensuring that justice is not just a privilege but a right for all. With Zach leading the charge, clients can rest assured that their futures are in capable hands, guided by integrity, empathy, and an unyielding pursuit of justice.
First Admitted: 2017, Arizona
Professional Webpage: https://futurefirst.law/zach-divelbiss-az/
Videos
- DUI vs. DWI - Do You Know the Difference? | Phoenix DUI Lawyer, 2026
- 🎙️ New Podcast Episode: The Most Common Criminal Charge Mistakes 🎙️ What are the biggest mistakes people make after getting charged with a crime in Arizona? In this episode of The Dana Hogle Show, we break down the missteps we see every day — and how to avoid them. Whether it’s waiting too long to act, misunderstanding your rights, or underestimating the long-term impact of a charge — one wrong move can change everything. ⚖️ At Future First Criminal Law, we don’t just know the law — we’ve lived it. I went from facing charges myself to becoming a defense attorney. That experience drives everything we do. If you or someone you care about is facing a criminal charge in Arizona, you don’t have to go through it alone. Watch the full video now and learn how to protect your future., The Most Common Criminal Charge Mistakes, 2025
- This client walked in with an extreme DUI, 30 days of jail, a full year of interlock, and over 3,500 dollars in fines. By the end of last-minute prosecutor negotiations, jail dropped to 1 day, the year of interlock was completely removed, and the fines came down to 2,500 dollars. No courtroom appearance needed. Facing charges in Arizona? Free consultation: 602-932-7890 | https://futurefirst.law Attorney Zachary Divelbiss, founder of Future First Criminal Law in Phoenix, Arizona, walks through a real reduction from extreme DUI down to a regular DUI for an Arizona client. You will see the full before-and-after on the firm checklist: jail days cut, interlock requirement removed, fines reduced, screening already done. The MVD penalties are still separate, but the criminal side became dramatically lighter through hard negotiation alone. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Can an extreme DUI in Arizona be reduced to a regular DUI? Yes, in the right cases. Arizona prosecutors will sometimes amend an extreme DUI down to a misdemeanor regular DUI when there are issues with the stop, the breath sample, the timing, or the chain of custody. Strong negotiation by an experienced Phoenix DUI lawyer is the key to that reduction. What is the difference between criminal court interlock and MVD interlock in Arizona? The criminal court can order an ignition interlock device as part of sentencing, and MVD imposes its own separate interlock requirement through the license side. Even if the court removes the interlock, MVD may still require one. Both have to be handled separately. How much can a DUI cost in Maricopa County? A typical regular DUI in Maricopa County runs roughly 2,500 to 4,000 dollars in fines and fees alone. Extreme DUIs run higher. Add in interlock, screening, and increased insurance and the real cost climbs quickly. Good negotiation can knock a real dent in those numbers. Do I have to go to court for every Arizona DUI? Not always. Many Arizona DUIs are resolved through prosecutor negotiations and pretrial conferences without a trial. Some clients sign their final paperwork without ever stepping foot in front of a judge. TIMESTAMPS 0:00 - Negotiating before court 0:10 - Extreme DUI reduced to regular DUI 0:20 - Jail time cut from 30 to 1 day 0:30 - Interlock requirement removed 0:40 - Fines dropped from 3,500 to 2,500 0:55 - Client reaction and thank you About Future First Criminal Law Phoenix criminal defense and DUI law firm led by Zachary Divelbiss. Serving Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa, Tempe, Chandler, Gilbert, and all Maricopa County courts. 229 Google reviews at 5.0 stars | Law Firm 500 (#112, 2022-2024) Free consultation: 602-932-7890 | https://futurefirst.law Record sealing: https://azcriminalrecordlawfirm.com , Extreme DUI Reduced and Interlock Removed: Real Arizona DUI Win, 2025
- A set-aside is one of the best short-term options if you have completed your punishment but are not yet eligible for sealing records in Arizona. The waiting period for sealing can be 2, 3, 5, or even 10 years, but a set-aside can be filed much sooner and restores key rights. Facing charges in Arizona? Free consultation: 602-932-7890 | https://futurefirst.law Attorney Zachary Divelbiss, founder of Future First Criminal Law in Phoenix, Arizona, breaks down why every client should pursue a set-aside even before they are eligible to seal their record. A set-aside removes the conviction, restores gun rights, helps with job applications and promotions, and makes the eventual sealing process far stronger. Watch to learn the real-world benefits of stacking both forms of post-conviction relief. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS What is a set-aside in Arizona? A set-aside under Arizona law removes the conviction from your record and dismisses the finding of guilt. The case is still visible online, but the conviction itself is essentially treated as dismissed for most purposes, including employment background checks in Maricopa County. How long do I have to wait to seal records in Arizona? Under Arizona Revised Statutes 13-911, the waiting period to seal records depends on the class of offense and ranges from 2 years for many misdemeanors up to 10 years for serious felonies. The clock generally starts after completion of sentence and probation. Does a set-aside restore gun rights in Arizona? Yes. A properly granted set-aside in Arizona restores firearm rights for most non-dangerous, non-serious offenses. This is one of the biggest practical benefits for Phoenix clients who want to legally own a firearm again. Should I do a set-aside even if I am eligible to seal records? Yes, almost always. Doing both creates a much stronger position. A judge who has already approved your set-aside is far less likely to deny your sealing petition later, which strengthens your case for clean background check results. TIMESTAMPS 0:00 - Set-aside as a short-term option 0:10 - Sealing records waiting periods in Arizona 0:20 - Why the set-aside matters 0:30 - Gun rights restored 0:40 - Help with jobs and promotions 0:50 - Why both together is the goal About Future First Criminal Law Phoenix criminal defense and DUI law firm led by Zachary Divelbiss. Serving Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa, Tempe, Chandler, Gilbert, and all Maricopa County courts. 229 Google reviews at 5.0 stars | Law Firm 500 (#112, 2022-2024) Free consultation: 602-932-7890 | https://futurefirst.law Record sealing: https://azcriminalrecordlawfirm.com, Set Aside vs Sealing Records in Arizona: Why You Need Both | Phoenix Lawyer, 2025
- You got pulled over, police never gave you a ticket — so you assumed the case went away. It didn't. You may be in pre-file, and the evidence is being built against you right now. Here's what that means and what you need to do before it's too late. Facing charges in Arizona? Free consultation: 602-932-7890 | https://futurefirst.law Attorney Zachary Divelbiss, founder of Future First Criminal Law, explains why the pre-file stage is the most dangerous and most overlooked phase of any DUI case. If police called you, left a business card, or emailed you after a stop — without handing you a citation — the investigation is still open. Reports are being written. Evidence is being gathered. Thousands of people across Arizona have learned the hard way that silence from the prosecutor's office does not mean the case was dropped; it means they were waiting. Hiring a DUI defense attorney during the pre-file window is the biggest legal advantage you can give yourself. Your retainer fees apply directly to your full case if charges are filed. And if they're not? The arrest record still exists and needs to be removed before it affects your job, housing, or finances. -- FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS -- Q: If I was never given a ticket after a DUI stop, does that mean I'm in the clear? A: Not necessarily. When police do not issue a citation at the scene, it often means the investigation is ongoing and they are still gathering evidence before submitting to a prosecutor. This is called the pre-file stage. Q: How long does the pre-file stage of a DUI case last? A: It varies, but in Arizona it can last anywhere from a few weeks to several months. Court backlogs that worsened after COVID mean formal charges sometimes arrive 60 to 90 days or more after the initial traffic stop. Q: What is the advantage of hiring a DUI lawyer before charges are filed? A: Your attorney can contact investigators, request discovery early, preserve time-sensitive evidence, and in some cases influence the charging decision. Signing on with a Phoenix DUI firm during pre-file is the most cost-effective and strategically powerful move you can make. Q: Will pre-filing fees I pay just disappear if I'm never charged? A: No. At Future First Criminal Law, all fees paid during the pre-file stage are credited toward your full case representation if charges are later filed. You are not starting over. Q: Can an arrest or investigation show up on my background check even without a conviction? A: Yes. Arrest records and investigation records are visible to employers, landlords, and lenders even when no charges were filed. Record removal is a separate and necessary step that Future First Criminal Law handles. -- TIMESTAMPS -- 0:00 No ticket after the stop — what that really means 0:15 Pre-file defined: investigation is still open 0:22 No court date yet, or a canceled one 0:28 Thousands affected in Arizona since COVID 0:33 Thinking the case went away is the biggest mistake 0:40 Call today — hiring early is a major advantage 0:49 Pre-file fees apply to your full case 0:52 Even uncharged cases leave a record that must be cleared -- ABOUT FUTURE FIRST CRIMINAL LAW -- Phoenix criminal defense and DUI law firm led by Zachary Divelbiss. Serving Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa, Tempe, Chandler, Gilbert, and all Maricopa County courts. 229 Google reviews at 5.0 stars | Law Firm 500 (#112, 2022-2024) Free consultation: 602-932-7890 | https://futurefirst.law Record sealing: https://azcriminalrecordlawfirm.com , The Scariest Stage of a DUI Case Nobody Warns You About | Phoenix DUI Lawyer, 2025
- Expunge Your Marijuana Arrest and Record in Arizona | Record Sealing, 2026
- Arizona Set Aside Explained: Clear Your Criminal Record | Record Sealing, 2026
Representative Clients
- Arizona Summit Law School
- Cum Laude | Castro and Merit Scholarship
Educational Background
- Arizona Summit Law School, J.D. (2016) | Legal Studies Honors: Donald E. Lively Mission Pillar Award Cum Laude Castro and Merit Scholarship Dean's Award 2014-2016 Top 10% Graduation Activities: Law Review Moot Court, 2014-2016
- Arizona State University, B.S. (2014) | Justice Studies Honors: Cum Laude Provost Scholarship, 2010-2014
Honors
- Dean’s Award - Top 10%, Arizona Summit Law School, 2014
- Cum Laude Honors, Arizona Summit Law School, 2016
- Donald E. Lively Mission Pillar Award, Arizona Summit Law School, 2016
Office location for Zachary Divelbiss
2999 N 44th St
Suite 307
Phoenix, AZ 85018
Selections
4 Years Rising Stars
- Rising Stars: 2023 - 2026