01
The Stop
Traffic infraction, checkpoint, or community caretaking. Report begins the second lights go on.
Arrest guide →
Arizona DUI Resource · Est. 1993
Arrested for DUI in Arizona?
The plain-English Arizona DUI guide — what happens at arrest, how the courts work, what every charge means, and the 30-day MVD clock that decides whether you keep your license. Written by practitioners with 33 years and 2,000+ cases across every Valley court.
33+ Years Practice
2,000+ Cases Defended
Every Valley Court
The Process
The Arizona DUI Timeline
Arizona DUIs move along a predictable track with six pressure points. Knowing where you are on that track — and what's about to happen next — is the difference between a reactive case and a winnable one.
02
SFSTs & PBT
HGN, Walk-and-Turn, One-Leg Stand, roadside breath. All voluntary in Arizona.
Defenses →03
Arrest & Test
Implied consent, Intoxilyzer 8000 or blood draw, 20-minute observation, calibration.
NHTSA library →04
30-Day MVD Clock
Request the administrative hearing in writing within 30 days or lose the license automatically.
First 24 hours →05
Arraignment & Pretrial
First court appearance, plea entry, discovery, the pretrial conference, and the path to trial or plea.
How defense works →06
Plea, Trial & Compliance
Negotiated plea or jury trial; then interlock, screening, classes, SR-22, reinstatement.
Interlock guide →
Core Resources
The Library — Plain-English Guides for Every Step
Every page is written for a citizen who's been arrested or charged — no jargon, no assumptions you've done this before. Reviewed against current Arizona statutes, NHTSA manuals, and local court procedures.
Defense
How DUI Defense Works
What your attorney will look at — the stop, the field tests, the breath/blood result, and the time-of-driving question.
Read guide →
Procedure
What Happens During an Arrest
Stop, investigation, SFSTs, PBT, implied consent, booking, release — in order.
Read guide →
Urgent · 30-Day
The First 24 Hours After a DUI
Preservation letters, social-media silence, MVD clock, attorney call — hour by hour.
Start here →
Charges
Every Arizona DUI Charge
Regular, Extreme, Super Extreme, Aggravated, Drug DUI — elements and penalties.
Read guide →
Reference
What Are SFSTs?
The roadside field-sobriety tests explained in plain English — plus the actual NHTSA manuals officers train on.
Read guide →
Self-Represented
Representing yourself? Use DUIINFO.NET
The portal for people handling their own DUI case: upload your police report, track your court dates, manage your documents, and share with an attorney when you're ready.
Open the portal →
Compliance
Arizona Ignition Interlock Guide
Requirements, costs, providers, violations, early removal — install to monitoring.
Read guide →
Compliance
Alcohol Screening & DUI Classes
State-licensed screening and education — court-approved, online or in-person.
Enroll →
Compliance
SR-22 Insurance in Arizona
Why MVD requires it, how long you need it, realistic costs, filing process.
Read guide →
Local Expertise
Maricopa County Courts
Every municipal court has its own arraignment schedule, plea practices, and unwritten rules. These are the ones Roth Law appears in most frequently.
Plain Answers
Questions People Ask on Day One
The most common questions the Roth Law intake line receives — short enough to be useful, sourced enough to be accurate.
How long to request an MVD hearing after an Arizona DUI?
You have 30 days from the date the officer serves the Admin Per Se / Implied Consent Affidavit (the pink form) to request an MVD administrative hearing under A.R.S. § 28-1385.
Miss the deadline and the license suspension becomes automatic and non-negotiable. Send the request in writing, certified mail, and keep the return receipt.
Difference between Regular, Extreme, and Super Extreme DUI?
Regular DUI: BAC 0.08+. Class 1 misdemeanor, mandatory 10 days jail (9 suspendable with screening).
Extreme DUI: BAC 0.15+. Mandatory 30 days jail (21 suspendable), $2,780+ fines, 12-month interlock.
Super Extreme DUI: BAC 0.20+. Mandatory 45 days jail (31 suspendable on a first offense), 18-month interlock, court-ordered treatment.
Aggravating factors under A.R.S. § 28-1383 can upgrade any of these to a felony.
Are field sobriety tests mandatory in Arizona?
No. SFSTs — HGN, Walk-and-Turn, and One-Leg Stand — are voluntary in Arizona. Declining them is not itself evidence of guilt, but may contribute to probable cause alongside other observations.
Can I refuse the breath or blood test in Arizona?
Arizona has an implied consent law. Refusal triggers an automatic 12-month license suspension (24 months for a second refusal within 84 months), and the State can still obtain a warrant for a blood draw.
What is an ignition interlock, and when is it required?
A breath-alcohol device installed in your vehicle that prevents starting if alcohol is detected. Arizona requires it after any DUI conviction — 12 months (Regular/Extreme), 18 months (Super Extreme).
Alternative Education Solutions (AES) handles installation, monitoring, and early-removal paperwork statewide.
Will I have to go to jail?
If convicted of a DUI in Arizona, yes. State law mandates a minimum of 10 days in jail, with up to 9 days suspended if you complete the required alcohol screening and recommended education or treatment. If you were taken to jail at the time of arrest, you may be eligible for credit for time served.
Can I keep driving?
For 30 days after the arrest, yes — and longer if you timely request an MVD hearing. The arresting officer takes your license at the scene and gives you a yellow-and-pink Admin Per Se / Implied Consent affidavit explaining how long your temporary permit is valid and what you must do to restore full driving privileges.
Don't wait. The 30-day deadline to request a hearing is firm — miss it and the suspension becomes automatic.
Will I lose my job?
It depends on your profession. The following types of jobs are most at risk after a DUI:
- Healthcare professionals — broadest impact under A.R.S. § 32-3208; nurses, doctors, and most licensed providers must self-report.
- Attorneys — bar reporting and character & fitness implications.
- Teachers & educators — fingerprint clearance and certification at risk.
- Real estate professionals — Arizona Department of Real Estate license review.
- Commercial drivers (CDL holders) — federal disqualification rules apply, even on a first offense in a personal vehicle.
- Anyone holding a Fingerprint Clearance Card — DPS may suspend or revoke.
If your job is on this list, talk to a defense attorney before pleading to anything.
Get help now
33+ years of Arizona DUI defense. 2,000+ cases. Every Valley court. Free first consult. Same-day intake.
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State-licensed screening, DUI education, MVD paperwork, and ignition interlock coordination — statewide.
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