You’re facing a DUI in Arizona. You got pulled over, the police officer who stopped you determined you were impaired, and now you are facing the very real possibility of jail time, steep fines, and a conviction on your permanent record.

What do you need to know?

The short answer is, “A lot.” Arizona’s DUI laws are among the harshest in the country. They are also among the most difficult to understand. As a result, you need to be extremely careful and work closely with an experienced Phoenix DUI lawyer who can help protect you every step of the way.

What You Need to Know if You Are Facing a DUI in 2025

In 2024, we published several articles focused on helping DUI defendants understand their situation and make informed decisions about their first steps after arrest. If you are facing a DUI heading into 2025, these articles will introduce you to what you need to know:

Understanding Your DUI Charge and Its Potential Consequences

Under Arizona law, there are five levels of DUI charges—each with a unique set of penalties and facts prosecutors need to prove. Making informed decisions about your defense starts with understanding the specific charge (or charges) against you. Our Ultimate Guide to DUI Defense in Arizona covers Arizona’s DUI levels, steps to take and mistakes to avoid after an arrest, and answers to several frequently asked questions (FAQs).

Why You Shouldn’t Plead Guilty to Your DUI

Let’s say you got caught driving drunk. Is it time to accept the consequences and move on with your life? Absolutely not.

If you plead guilty to your DUI charge, you will forfeit your right to defend yourself. You will be convicted and sentenced and face all the consequences of having a criminal conviction on your record. No matter what happened, you have defenses available, and this means that you should not plead guilty—even if you were clearly driving drunk. Learn more: 5 Reasons Not to Plead Guilty to a DUI Charge in Arizona.

Understanding the Potential Outcomes of Your Case

Regardless of your arrest circumstances, your case could lead to various potential outcomes. While a conviction is a very real possibility, there are also various ways that your case could end without a “Guilty” verdict in court. To learn how your case could go, read What Are the Possible Outcomes of a DUI Case in Arizona?

Understanding the Options for Fighting Your DUI Charge

If you read our article on possible outcomes, you will see many potential ways to beat your DUI. Remember, you don’t need to prove you are innocent—you need to prevent the prosecution from proving you are guilty.

While this is easier said than done, an experienced DUI defense lawyer may be able to use various strategies to protect you. Read How Do You Beat a DUI in Arizona? to learn about some of these strategies.

Keeping the Prosecution’s Evidence Out of Court

One strategy for fighting a DUI charge in Arizona is to keep the prosecution’s evidence out of court. If prosecutors can’t use their evidence against you, they won’t be able to meet their burden of proof. This means that you will be entitled to a “Not guilty” verdict regardless of whether you were drinking and driving.
How can you (or your lawyer) keep the prosecution’s evidence out of court? Find out in Facing a DUI in Arizona? How to Make Sure Prosecutors Can’t Use Their Evidence Against You.

Should You Seek Probation?

Given that all levels of DUI carry jail time in Arizona, should you focus your efforts on seeking probation? The short answer is, “It depends.” While serving probation may be preferable to spending days or weeks (if not longer) in jail, seeking probation won’t necessarily be the most intelligent approach in all cases. Learn more: Probation for a DUI in Arizona: What You Need to Know.

Should You Request a Jury Trial?

What about requesting a jury trial? If your best option is to fight your DUI charge in court, should you request a trial by a jury of your peers? Here, too, the short answer is, “It depends.” For critical insights on requesting a jury trial in your DUI case, read Do You Have the Right to a Jury Trial for an Arizona DUI?

An Introduction to Arizona’s DUI Laws

As we said above, Arizona’s DUI laws are incredibly complicated. As a result, you cannot expect to become an expert before your trial date arrives. But, you can—and should—learn some of the basics. In Arizona DUI Laws: What Do You Need to Know After an Arrest?, we provide an introduction to Arizona’s laws regarding:

  • DUI levels and penalties
  • Implied consent to a BAC test
  • Plea bargaining in DUI cases
  • Diversion (or lack thereof) in DUI cases
  • “Sealing” a DUI conviction

Are You Facing Additional Consequences Based on Your Personal Circumstances?

While all DUI defendants in Arizona face steep penalties, some individuals can face additional consequences based on their personal circumstances. If you are under 21, if you are a licensed medical professional, or if you are a non-U.S. citizen, we strongly encourage you to read:

Contact Us for a Free Consultation with a Phoenix DUI Lawyer Today

While we encourage you to use these free resources to learn more about your situation, you must also discuss your situation with a lawyer as soon as possible. To schedule a free consultation with an experienced Phoenix DUI lawyer at The Weingart Firm, call 480-493-0398 or contact us online today.