07 Aug Does Arizona Have Stricter DUI Laws Than Other States?
If you’re new to the Phoenix area, you need to be aware that Arizona has some of the strictest DUI laws in the nation. We’re talking about mandatory jail time, license suspension, and installation of an interlock device…even for first time offenders.
If you got pulled over for driving under the influence or you got caught at a DUI checkpoint, you’re going to need a lawyer who knows how to handle these types of cases.
How Bad Is It to Get a DUI in Arizona?
Arizona has earned a reputation as one of the toughest states in the country for DUI enforcement, and it’s not just a rumor. The Governor’s Office of Highway Safety lays out the penalties in detail, and they’re pretty steep.
Mandatory Jail Time
Arizona is serious about deterring people from ever driving under the influence again. Unlike some states that offer probation for a first offense, Arizona requires a minimum number of days behind bars, no matter how clean your record was before. The minimum sentence for a first offense is ten days, but that could go up to 45 days for an “Extreme DUI” where the blood alcohol content is over 0.20%.
Automatic License Suspension for 90 Days
If a person’s blood alcohol concentration is above 0.08%, or if there are drugs in their system, they will automatically lose their driving privileges for 90 days. And refusing to submit to testing will not help—Arizona is an “implied consent” state, and refusing a test could mean a 1-year suspension instead of 90 days.
In a lot of states, you can get a temporary license after a DUI arrest that lets you keep driving while your case works its way through court. Arizona doesn’t offer that same cushion, and suspended driving privileges usually take effect immediately, but it is possible to get the suspension reduced to 30 days.
You’ll Have to Drive with an Interlock Device Installed for a Year
Installation of an interlock device is also mandatory in Arizona, even for a first DUI. In most cases, you’ll have to use it for an entire year.
An ignition interlock device is basically a breathalyzer that’s wired into your car so that the engine won’t start unless you blow clean. Most states only require interlocks for repeat offenders or high BAC cases, and that used to be the case in Arizona, as well. However, in 2007 that law changed. In an effort to reduce the number of repeat offenders, Arizona made interlock devices a mandatory penalty for all DUI convictions.
Arizona’s DUI Laws Are Far-Reaching
Something that catches a lot of people off guard is how broadly Arizona’s DUI laws apply. For instance, they are not limited to cars, trucks, and motorcycles. You can get a DUI for riding a bike, operating a boat, or even sitting in the driver’s seat of a parked car with the keys in reach. That broad definition is part of what makes Arizona’s laws so much stricter than those in other states.
And it’s not just alcohol, either. In Arizona, it is possible to get a DUI for any substance, even prescription drugs. If the label on your meds says you shouldn’t operate heavy machinery, that means you shouldn’t drive when you’re taking it. And if you get pulled over, you could get hit with a DUI.
Charged with a DUI in Phoenix? Let’s Talk
Arizona’s DUI laws are unforgiving, and that’s exactly why having the right attorney matters so much. Todd Coolidge has spent decades defending DUI cases in Arizona, and he knows exactly what you’re up against. If you’re facing DUI charges in Phoenix, Chandler, or Scottsdale, reach out to Coolidge Law today to schedule a consultation.
Photo by Matthias Münning on Unsplash used with permission under the Creative Commons license for commercial use 8/4/26.
Todd Coolidge graduated magna cum laude from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh in 1984 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice. He attended Arizona State University College of Law and has been practicing law exclusively as a criminal defense attorney since graduating in 1990. He has over 25 years of experience and is certified as a Criminal Law Specialist through the Arizona Board of Legal Specialization.