An Arizona DUI conviction can mean jail or prison, court penalties and driving restrictions. Some misdemeanor jail terms can be partly suspended if statutory conditions are met.
Arizona DUI penalties by offense
Find the offense number on the left. BAC severity increases from left to right. Felony rows span all three categories.
| Conviction | Standard DUIImpairment or BAC .08+ | Extreme DUIBAC .15 to under .20 | Super extreme DUIBAC .20+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| First offenseNo qualifying prior | Minimum jail sentence10 days May serve 1 dayComplete qualifying court-ordered screening, education, treatment or psychotherapy; judge must approve. Listed court fines and assessments*$1,517.50 Ignition interlock (car breathalyzer)12 monthsMay qualify for 6 months A.R.S. § 28-1381 | Minimum jail sentence30 days May serve 9 daysQualifying 12-month certified ignition-interlock compliance; judge must approve. Listed court fines and assessments*$2,767.50 Ignition interlock (car breathalyzer)12 months A.R.S. § 28-1382 | Minimum jail sentence45 days May serve 14 daysQualifying 12-month certified ignition-interlock compliance; judge must approve. Listed court fines and assessments*$3,215 Ignition interlock (car breathalyzer)18 months A.R.S. § 28-1382 |
| Second offenseOne qualifying prior within 84 months | Minimum jail sentence90 days May serve 30 daysComplete qualifying court-ordered program; judge must approve. Listed court fines and assessments*$3,465 Ignition interlock (car breathalyzer)12 months A.R.S. § 28-1381 | Minimum jail sentence120 days Listed court fines and assessments*$3,715 Ignition interlock (car breathalyzer)12 months A.R.S. § 28-1382 | Minimum jail sentence180 days Listed court fines and assessments*$4,610 Ignition interlock (car breathalyzer)24 months A.R.S. § 28-1382 |
| Third qualifying DUITwo qualifying priors within 84 months | Aggravated DUI · Class 4 felonyAt least 4 months in prison Must serve four months before eligibility for probation or certain other release. The full sentence can be longer. Financial and driving consequences Felony fines and assessments; at least a one-year license revocation, with MVD listing three years for third or later qualifying DUIs; ignition interlock generally required on restoration. Exact financial and driving obligations vary. A.R.S. § 28-1383(D), (J) | ||
| Fourth or later qualifying DUIThree or more qualifying priors within 84 months | Aggravated DUI · Class 4 felonyAt least 8 months in prison Must serve eight months before eligibility for probation or certain other release. The full sentence can be longer. Financial and driving consequences Felony fines and assessments, license revocation and ignition-interlock conditions. Individual circumstances and prior history matter. A.R.S. § 28-1383(E), (J) | ||
First offense
Standard DUI Impairment or BAC .08+
May serve 1 day: Complete qualifying court-ordered screening, education, treatment or psychotherapy; judge must approve.
Extreme DUI BAC .15 to under .20
May serve 9 days: Qualifying 12-month certified ignition-interlock compliance; judge must approve.
Super extreme DUI BAC .20+
May serve 14 days: Qualifying 12-month certified ignition-interlock compliance; judge must approve.
Second offense (qualifying prior within 84 months)
Standard DUI Impairment or BAC .08+
May serve 30 days: Complete qualifying court-ordered program; judge must approve.
Extreme DUI BAC .15 to under .20
Super extreme DUI BAC .20+
Third qualifying DUI
Class 4 felony
At least 4 months in prison before certain release eligibility.Two qualifying priors within 84 months. The full sentence may be longer.
Fourth or later qualifying DUI
Class 4 felony
At least 8 months in prison before certain release eligibility.Three or more qualifying priors within 84 months. The full sentence may be longer.
* Listed amounts from the Arizona Courts DUI sentencing chart effective September 26, 2025. Not all-in case costs; updated 2026 financial schedules and individualized court charges need confirmation. Reduction notes mean the judge may suspend part of a sentence if conditions are satisfied—not a guarantee. Official sentencing chart.
How much does a DUI really cost in Arizona?
Court penalties are only one expense. Here are Arizona-specific price examples and budgeting estimates—not a statewide average or a prediction of an individual bill.
| Expense | 2026 planning figure | What it includes |
|---|---|---|
| Court fines and assessments | About $1,500–$4,600 | Range across the six misdemeanor scenarios in the cited September 2025 chart, rounded. Extra charges may apply. Official chart. |
| Ignition interlock | Install $50–$150+; lease about $90–$100+/month; calibration/removal may cost extra | Usually rented for 12, 18 or 24 months, depending on the case. Ask which services are included. Smart Start · LifeSafer. |
| Screening, classes and treatment | Example: $150 screening, $200 education; treatment extra | One Arizona provider's listed prices, not a statewide average. Price example. |
| Private defense lawyer | $2,800–$5,500+ advertised | Selected Arizona published prices, not verified final bills. Trials, experts, MVD proceedings or other work may cost more; ask for a complete written fee agreement. Example 1 · Example 2 · Example 3. |
| Insurance increases | Illustrative $1,300–$1,700 additional per year | Arizona city comparisons, not a personalized quote. Higher premiums can persist for years. Rate study. |
| License reinstatement | Approximately $10; other MVD fees may apply | Check MVD for required fees and proof of compliance. MVD. |
| Lost wages and other costs | Case-specific | Missed work, towing, transportation, custody costs and other circumstances vary too much for a credible statewide range. |
Can Arizona DUI jail time be reduced?
First standard DUI: qualifying court-ordered screening, education, treatment or psychotherapy can allow a judge to suspend nine of ten days. Second standard DUI: a qualifying program can allow suspension of 60 of 90 days. See A.R.S. § 28-1381.
First extreme and super extreme DUI: qualifying certified ignition-interlock compliance can allow a judge to suspend part of the jail sentence, leaving nine or fourteen days respectively. See § 28-1382. The repeat extreme categories do not have an equivalent statutory reduction provision. Work release or home detention may affect the manner of service, but are distinct from reducing the imposed sentence.
What happens to your driver's license?
MVD can suspend driving privileges separately from the criminal case. A qualifying test can trigger a 90-day administrative suspension; refusing testing can trigger 12 months for a first qualifying refusal or 24 months for a repeat refusal within 84 months.
Drug-only DUI cases can differ. Check the actual notice and Arizona MVD requirements.
Other circumstances that change DUI penalties
Some DUI charges can be felonies even without three qualifying offenses. These are separate from the repeat-offense rows above.
Suspended or revoked license
A DUI while subject to certain license suspensions or revocations—not simply every expired license.
A.R.S. § 28-1383(A)(1)Child under 15 in the vehicle
A DUI with a passenger younger than 15; incarceration rules differ from Class 4 aggravated DUI.
A.R.S. § 28-1383(A)(3)Interlock requirement
A DUI while required to use an ignition interlock.
A.R.S. § 28-1383(A)(4)Wrong-way driving
A DUI while driving the wrong way on a highway.
A.R.S. § 28-1383(A)(5)Commercial and under-21 drivers
0.04 BAC threshold
A qualifying DUI can mean at least one year of CDL disqualification, including certain DUI convictions in a personal vehicle. Repeat and hazardous-materials cases can be longer.
§ 28-1381(A)(4) · § 28-3312Any alcohol in the body
Arizona has a separate rule below 0.08 BAC, generally with a two-year license suspension on conviction, subject to statutory provisions.
§ 28-3322These are general summaries, not predictions of a particular case.
Frequently asked questions about Arizona DUI
Is jail time mandatory for a first DUI in Arizona?
A misdemeanor DUI conviction generally carries jail time, although a judge may suspend part of certain sentences when the required statutory conditions are met.
Can a first Arizona DUI jail sentence be reduced to one day?
For a first standard DUI, the judge may suspend nine of ten days after qualifying court-ordered screening, education, treatment or psychotherapy.
Can extreme DUI jail time be reduced in Arizona?
For a first extreme or super extreme DUI, a judge may suspend part of the sentence with qualifying ignition-interlock compliance. Different rules apply to repeat extreme DUI.
How much does a DUI cost in Arizona in 2026?
Court penalties, attorneys, interlock, treatment, insurance, and lost income all affect the bill. There is no sufficiently reliable statewide average of final expenses.
Will an Arizona DUI arrest suspend my license before court?
It can. MVD administrative suspensions operate independently of the criminal case. Check your specific notice and hearing deadline.
Are third and fourth DUI offenses felonies in Arizona?
A third qualifying DUI within 84 months is generally a Class 4 aggravated DUI felony, with at least four months in prison before certain release eligibility. With three qualifying priors, that threshold increases to eight months. The full sentence can be longer.
Sources and methodology
Primary sentencing authorities: A.R.S. § 28-1381, § 28-1382, § 28-1383, and the Arizona Courts sentencing chart (2025). Third and fourth rows follow § 28-1383(D)–(E) and are not subdivided by BAC category. Administrative driving guidance: ADOT MVD. Market pricing is based on linked individual Arizona providers and attorney-advertised prices; not a random sample or observed final cost distribution.
Editorial status: Researched draft (November 2026). Verify current financial assessments and interlock rules and obtain Arizona legal review before publication. This site provides general information, not legal advice.