A Step-by-Step Timeline After a DUI Arrest in Phoenix

Most DUI cases in Maricopa County progress on two separate tracks, both of which follow a predictable sequence of stages:

• The criminal court process
• An administrative process through the Arizona Motor Vehicle Division (MVD)

Both move on their own timelines.

Stage 1: Arrest and Initial Appearance (First 24 Hours)

After a DUI arrest, you may be taken to jail for booking or, in some cases, cited and released. Many misdemeanor DUI arrests in Phoenix involve several hours of processing before release with a future court date.

If you are not released promptly and remain in custody, Arizona law generally requires that you see a judge within about 24 hours for an initial appearance.

At this first hearing, the judge may set conditions of release, including bond, supervised release, or other restrictions. You may also receive paperwork that includes a court date and information about your driver’s license.

This early paperwork matters. In many cases, deadlines begin running immediately.

Stage 2: The 15-Day MVD Deadline

Separate from the criminal case, the Arizona Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) typically initiates its own administrative action affecting your driver’s license. You generally have 15 days after you are served with a notice of suspension to request a hearing to challenge that suspension.

If no hearing is requested within that window, the suspension can begin automatically. This administrative suspension can move forward regardless of what ultimately happens in the criminal court case, unless it is successfully challenged.

The administrative MVD process is often overlooked in the days following a DUI arrest. The deadline to request a hearing is short, and failing to address it can result in an automatic license suspension.

Stage 3: Arraignment (Usually 30–60 Days After Arrest)

The arraignment is typically the first formal court date in a misdemeanor DUI case. In Phoenix and throughout Maricopa County, misdemeanor DUI cases are generally handled in municipal or justice courts. The arraignment is often scheduled about 30 to 60 days after the arrest.

At this hearing, the charges are formally read and a plea is entered. This is not the trial. It is the beginning of the court process.

Felony DUI cases follow a slightly different path. Before proceeding in Superior Court, the case must go through either a grand jury indictment or a preliminary hearing to establish probable cause. That can extend the timeline compared to a standard misdemeanor DUI.

Depending on when charges are formally filed and whether blood testing is complete, it can add several weeks, and sometimes longer, to the early stages of a felony DUI case.

This is often the stage at which individuals formally retain a DUI defense attorney, as early representation can help shape how the case proceeds.

Stage 4: The Pretrial Phase (Weeks to Months)

If a not-guilty plea is entered, the case moves into the pretrial stage. During this phase, the prosecution and defense exchange evidence, including police reports, body camera footage, lab results, and other materials.

This is also when legal motions may be filed. Challenges to the traffic stop, arrest procedures, or scientific testing often occur during this stage. Plea negotiations may also begin.

The length of the pretrial phase varies. Some cases move quickly. Others take longer, especially when blood testing results are delayed or court calendars are congested. In Phoenix, it is not unusual for several months to pass before a case is positioned for resolution.

Stage 5: Resolution or Trial (Several Months to a Year or More)

Many DUI cases resolve before trial through a negotiated plea agreement or other resolution. For misdemeanor cases, this often occurs within four to six months, though timelines vary.

Felony cases and contested matters may take longer due to additional hearings, motion practice, and court scheduling. In some situations, a case may take a year or more to fully resolve.

Arizona has speedy trial rules that set deadlines for when trials must begin after arraignment, but those deadlines are frequently extended when motions are filed, evidence is still being reviewed, or the defense waives time to allow for further investigation.

Sentencing and License Consequences

If a conviction occurs, sentencing may happen immediately in misdemeanor cases or be set for a later date in felony matters.

It’s important to remember that license consequences through the MVD are separate from criminal penalties.

Providing Guidance and Representation to Individuals Facing DUI Charges in Phoenix

Michael Alarid III is board certified in DUI defense through the National College for DUI Defense (NCDD) and an Arizona Board-Certified Specialists in Criminal Law. He’s one of only two Arizona lawyers to hold both certifications.

If you are looking for a DUI lawyer to explain the process and advocate on your behalf, call Michael Alarid III at (602) 818-3110 for a free case evaluation.