Facing Charges After Spring Break or a Weekend Trip to Arizona?

Arizona is a popular place to let loose. Hundreds of thousands of tourists visit each year to spend spring break at Lake Havasu, attend championship games, national tournaments, or the Phoenix Open, or celebrate bachelor and bachelorette parties in Scottsdale. Despite the heat, Arizona remains a top destination for partying. But when things get out of hand, what started as a good time can quickly lead to criminal charges.

Alcohol, group dynamics, and unfamiliar surroundings often contribute to impulsive decisions or misread situations. For out-of-state visitors, this can mean getting arrested far from home and not knowing what to do next.

Arrested While Visiting Arizona? You’re Not Alone.

Every year, tourists and students are arrested across Arizona during spring break, holiday weekends, and major events like the Phoenix Open. While Lake Havasu, Tempe, and Scottsdale are common hotspots, arrests can happen anywhere large groups gather to party.

Common charges out-of-towners face include:

• DUI (alcohol, marijuana, or other substances)
  
  
• Drug possession, often involving substances like cocaine, ecstasy, and other common party drugs
  
  
• Disorderly conduct, usually tied to loud parties, fights, or public intoxication
  
  
• Underage drinking or fake ID charges
  
  
• Public urination or indecent exposure
  
  
• Assault or resisting arrest, especially when large groups are involved

Some of these offenses may seem minor, but many are charged as misdemeanors or even felonies under Arizona law. Serious felony charges are more likely if you resist arrest, have prior charges, are accused of sexual assault, or are caught with a controlled substance.

You’ll Be Charged in the County Where You Were Arrested

Arizona doesn’t centralize cases for out-of-state visitors. If you were arrested in Lake Havasu, your case will be handled by Mohave County. If you were in Tempe or Scottsdale, it’ll go through Maricopa County.

You can’t transfer the case to your home state, and ignoring it won’t make it go away. Failing to appear in court, whether for a DUI, drug charge, or public intoxication, can result in a warrant and additional penalties.

You Don’t Need a Local County Lawyer—You Just Need an Arizona Lawyer

A common misconception is that you have to hire a lawyer who’s based in the same city or county where the arrest occurred. Although there are good lawyers in Mohave County and Lake Havasu City, your options are unavoidably limited due to their small populations. The good news is you just need a criminal defense attorney who’s licensed to practice in Arizona.

Michael Alarid III is a board-certified criminal law and DUI specialist in Phoenix who handles cases statewide. If you're from out of state, he may be able to appear on your behalf for certain hearings so you don’t have to return to Arizona for every court date.

That can save you time, stress, and money, especially if your case is in a remote area like Mohave County.

What to Do If You’ve Been Charged With a Crime While Visiting Arizona

If you were arrested on vacation, take the situation seriously. Arizona criminal law is notoriously tough, with the state taking a particularly hard stance against drunk driving.

Prosecutors don’t dismiss charges just because you were from out of town or it was your first offense.

Here’s what to do if you’re facing criminal charges after a trip to Arizona:

• Talk to an Arizona defense lawyer before calling the court
• Save all paperwork from your arrest or release
• Avoid posting about the incident on social media
• Stay off the prosecutor’s radar by attending hearings when required, and do not try to represent yourself

Charged While Visiting Arizona? Michael Alarid III Can Help.

Being arrested far from home is stressful, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. Michael Alarid III is an experienced Arizona criminal defense attorney who can help out-of-state visitors resolve charges efficiently and strategically.

You may not need to return to Arizona for every court date, and you aren’t required to hire a local lawyer in the county where you were arrested, just one licensed in Arizona.

Call (602) 818-3110 for a free case evaluation with an attorney who is Arizona Board Certified in Criminal Law and Board Certified in DUI law through the National College for DUI Defense (NCDD).