How Much Does a DUI Lawyer Cost in Arizona?

A DUI lawyer in Arizona typically costs between $2,500 and $10,000, and a felony aggravated DUI that goes to trial can run higher. The exact price depends on the level of the charge, the court you are in, and whether your case ends with an early resolution or a full fight.

We have defended DUI cases across Arizona for decades, from Phoenix and Mesa to Tucson and the small justice courts most people have never heard of. Nobody budgets for a DUI, so let us explain in plain English what you are paying for, how our flat fees work, and when hiring a private lawyer might not be the right move. You can see how we fight these cases on our DUI defense page, or return to the Your Phoenix Attorney home page to see the full firm.

What drives DUI lawyer cost in Arizona

Two things move the price more than anything else: the level of the charge and how hard the case needs to be fought. Arizona stacks DUI charges by blood alcohol level, and every step up means more mandatory jail time and more work for your lawyer.

• First-offense regular DUI (0.08 or higher): usually the lowest fees, often in the $2,500 to $5,000 range.
• Extreme DUI (0.15+) and Super Extreme DUI (0.20+): more jail exposure and more motions to file, typically $3,500 to $7,500.
• Aggravated (felony) DUI: prison is on the table, so fees often start around $7,500 and can pass $15,000 if the case goes to trial.
• Extras: independent blood retesting, toxicology experts, and the separate MVD license hearing can add to the total.

Keep the fee in perspective. A conviction brings its own bills: fines and surcharges, ignition interlock rental, and years of higher insurance. For the full penalty picture, read our guide to Arizona DUI penalties in 2026.

Flat fees and payment plans: how we charge

We quote one transparent flat fee at your free consultation, and we put it in writing. You will never get a surprise bill because your case needed one more court date. Our fee covers the criminal case and the MVD license hearing that runs beside it. Ask any lawyer you interview whether the MVD hearing is included, because you only have about 30 days from your arrest to request it.

We also offer payment plans, because most families cannot write one big check. A real attorney answers our phone 24/7, we visit clients in jail, and we serve Spanish-speaking clients in their own language. None of that costs extra. It is simply how Your Phoenix Attorney works. For a deeper breakdown of down payments, monthly schedules, and what should be included in any Arizona flat fee, see our full guide to Arizona criminal defense payment plans.

A real story: the cheapest quote almost cost the most

A few years back, a West Valley worker came to us on an extreme DUI charge. He had already paid the cheapest lawyer he could find, and that lawyer's whole plan was a fast guilty plea: 30 days in jail, case closed. Something felt off to him, so he called us for a second opinion.

We pulled the breath machine's calibration and maintenance records and found problems the first lawyer never looked for. The State agreed to reduce the charge, and our client served a fraction of the jail time he had been ready to accept. He ended up paying two lawyers instead of one, which is the expensive way to learn that the cheapest quote is not the cheapest case. We have changed identifying details to protect his privacy, every case is different, and past results do not guarantee future outcomes.

The honest counterpoint: sometimes you should not hire us

Here is something most law firm websites will not tell you: not everyone needs a private DUI lawyer. If you qualify financially, the court can appoint a public defender, and many Arizona public defenders are skilled, hardworking trial lawyers. If the evidence against you is strong, your record is clean, and your only goal is the minimum sentence, the result may look similar either way.

Where a private lawyer earns the fee is time and attention: digging into the stop, the testing, and the paperwork, and handling the MVD case that protects your license. That is true for a DUI or any other criminal charge in Arizona. If money is the only thing holding you back, ask about a payment plan before you decide. But do not let anyone scare you into a fee your family cannot afford.

Get a straight answer about your DUI case today

If you are still wondering how much a DUI lawyer costs in Arizona for your exact situation, stop guessing and ask. The consultation is free, the flat fee goes in writing, and a real attorney answers the phone 24 hours a day, not an answering service. Call Your Phoenix Attorney at 623-335-4014 today. Se habla español.

This article is for general information only and is not legal advice. Every case turns on its specific facts. Speak with a licensed Arizona attorney about your situation.