What Happens After a DUI Arrest in Arizona?

By David Lish

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DUI

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Jun 08, 2026

If you were recently pulled over for a DUI in Phoenix, you’re likely anxious and wondering what happens next. Arizona is known for having strict DUI laws and the process moves quickly. From the moment you are handcuffed, time starts ticking for your criminal case and your driving privileges.

As a Phoenix DUI law firm, we know that your best way to fight the fear of the unknown is with a better understanding of the process and a roadmap forward. Here is a general idea of what you can expect following your Arizona DUI arrest.

Arizona DUI Booking and Release

Following your arrest, you will be transported to a police station or processing area for additional testing to determine your impairment. This testing may include blood, breath or urine.

• Implied Consent – When you operate a motor vehicle in Arizona, under A.R.S. § 28-1321, you consent to a test or tests to determine alcohol or drug content. If you refuse a test, your license is automatically suspended or denied for 12 months. Arizona DUI arrests are serious business.
• Booking – Depending on the specifics of your DUI arrest, you may be held for an initial appearance or after being fingerprinted and photographed, you may be released on bond.

MVD Hearing 30-Day Deadline

DUI cases are unique as they involve two different matters. In addition to the criminal court, the Arizona Department of Transportation gets involved to suspend your license. In general, you have 30 days from your arrest date to request an administrative hearing to challenge the suspension. When you hire a DUI defense attorney in Phoenix, they can request a hearing that pauses the suspension until the hearing takes place. In most cases, this action allows you to keep driving in the interim.

DUI Arraignment and Pre-Trial Conference

Your arraignment is your first interaction with a judge for your Phoenix DUI arrest. The judge will read the charges against you and give you an opportunity to plea. At Grand Canyon Law Group, we have seen the impact your plea can have on the outcome of your case. A guilty plea is fairly straightforward. However, a plea of not-guilty, allows your attorney to obtain police reports, lab results, bodycam footage, etc., that can weaken the State’s case. As former prosecutors and Phoenix DUI lawyers, we have an edge by knowing what the State’s next move is.

After your arraignment, a pre-trial conference is scheduled. This is where having an experienced DUI defense attorney can help your case. This conference is an opportunity for your lawyer to expose any procedural errors and make negotiations in your favor.

Although most DUI cases in Arizona are resolved without a trial, if the prosecution refuses to offer a fair deal, your case could go to a jury trial.

Why Hire a Former Prosecutor

You may be wondering why you would want to hire a former prosecutor and that is a great question. When you search for a DUI defense attorney in Arizona, you are sure to see many options. However, hiring a former prosecutor offers a significant edge. Having been on the other side of the courtroom, our team knows how the State builds their case, how to speak their language, and what to negotiate with them.

Contact Grand Canyon Law Group

Don’t wait for your court date to seek legal help for your DUI case. At Grand Canyon Law Group, we represent individuals across Arizona who are facing DUI charges. We help good people accused of a DUI take control of their case and save their future.

Contact us now by calling 480-573-6441 and let us help you start building your DUI defense.