What You Need to Know
If you’ve been arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) in Phoenix, Arizona, the legal consequences can be severe and immediate. Arizona enforces some of the toughest DUI laws in the country—making it essential to understand your rights, the penalties you may face, and the legal defenses available.
At Rideout Law Group, our criminal defense attorneys represent clients throughout Phoenix and Maricopa County. With former prosecutors and experienced DUI trial lawyers on our team, we’re here to fight for your future.
Arizona DUI Laws: The Basics
Under Arizona Revised Statutes §28-1381, a person may be charged with DUI in Phoenix if they are:
- Driving or in actual physical control of a vehicle
- While impaired to the slightest degree by alcohol, drugs, or a combination of both
- Or with a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or more (0.04% for commercial drivers)
Arizona also enforces a zero-tolerance law for drivers under 21, meaning any amount of alcohol in the system can lead to DUI charges.
In Phoenix, DUI enforcement is strict, with checkpoints, patrol units, and bodycam footage often used as evidence. Even first-time offenders face mandatory jail time, license suspension, and thousands in fines.
Types of DUI Charges in Phoenix
Arizona recognizes several types of DUI offenses, each with escalating penalties:
- Standard DUI: BAC between 0.08%–0.149%
- Extreme DUI: BAC between 0.15%–0.199%
- Super Extreme DUI: BAC of 0.20% or more
- Aggravated DUI: A felony offense resulting from multiple prior DUIs, driving with a suspended license, or with a child under 15 in the vehicle
DUI Penalties in Phoenix
Arizona mandates strict penalties for DUI convictions. These include:
- First-Offense DUI: 10 days in jail (with 9 days potentially suspended), $1,500+ in fines, license suspension, ignition interlock device
- Second-Offense DUI: 90+ days in jail, higher fines, one-year license revocation, and more severe interlock requirements
- Aggravated DUI: Felony conviction, up to 2+ years in prison, license revocation, mandatory substance abuse screening
In addition to legal penalties, a conviction can affect employment, professional licensing, and auto insurance premiums.
Where Are DUI Cases Heard in Phoenix?
Most DUI cases in Phoenix are prosecuted in one of the following:
- Phoenix Municipal Court (for misdemeanors)
- Maricopa County Superior Court (for felony DUI cases)
Knowing the court system and key players—judges, prosecutors, diversion programs—can significantly influence your case. At Rideout Law Group, our Phoenix attorneys have deep experience in these local courts and know how to leverage every available option.
DUI Defense Strategies That Work
Many clients assume that DUI charges are unbeatable—but that’s not true. Common legal defenses include:
- Challenging the reason for the traffic stop
- Disputing the accuracy of field sobriety or breath tests
- Questioning how blood samples were collected and stored
- Proving that you were not in “actual physical control” of the vehicle
Our legal team, led by attorneys like Brad Rideout, builds personalized defense strategies tailored to the evidence and circumstances of each case.
Why Hire a Phoenix DUI Attorney?
A local DUI lawyer can mean the difference between jail time and a second chance. Rideout Law Group offers:
- Former prosecutors who understand both sides of the courtroom
- Trial-tested defense lawyers with experience in high-stakes DUI litigation
- A client-first approach with transparent communication and aggressive advocacy
Whether you were arrested near downtown Phoenix, Camelback, or I-10, we are ready to step in immediately.
Schedule Your Free DUI Consultation Today
If you’re facing DUI charges in Phoenix, don’t wait. Every hour counts when building a defense. At Rideout Law Group, we offer confidential, same-day consultations to review your case and explain your options.
📞 Call (480) 584-3328 or contact us online to speak with a Phoenix DUI attorney today.