Arizona DUI Cost & Penalty Calculator
Wondering how much a DUI really costs in Arizona? Use our free calculator to estimate the jail time, fines, license consequences, and total out-of-pocket cost, by offense and BAC. Then talk to a defense lawyer about lowering it.
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How Much Does a DUI Cost in Arizona?
Quick answer: A first DUI in Arizona typically costs $7,000 to $10,000 once you add court fines and surcharges (~$1,500), attorney fees, the multi-year SR-22 insurance increase, ignition interlock, alcohol classes, and towing. A second DUI runs roughly $12,000 to $20,000+, and a third (felony) DUI can exceed $20,000 to $35,000+. Use the calculator below to estimate your situation, then call us, the cost almost always drops when the charge is reduced or dismissed.
Estimate DUI Cost & Penalties
Select your prior DUIs and BAC, the calculator updates the jail time, fines, license impact, and total real cost instantly.
Arizona DUI Cost & Penalty Calculator
Estimates for general information only, not legal advice or a guarantee. Actual penalties and costs vary by court, facts, and insurer.
What a DUI Actually Costs in Arizona
The court fine is only the beginning, the real cost is spread across years.
When people ask “how much does a DUI cost,” they usually picture the court fine. In Arizona, that fine and its surcharges run from about $1,500 on a first offense to over $4,500 on a felony, but that is a fraction of the true cost. Over the next several years a single DUI typically also brings:
- Attorney fees to fight or resolve the charge
- SR-22 “high-risk” auto insurance, often thousands of dollars in higher premiums over three years
- Ignition interlock installation and monthly fees (12 months or more)
- Mandatory alcohol screening and classes
- Towing and impound, plus license reinstatement fees
- Lost income from jail time and missed work
Added up, a first DUI commonly costs $7,000 to $10,000, which is why the cheapest move is almost always to fight the charge, every reduction or dismissal removes whole categories of this cost. See how penalties climb with each prior in the table below.
How DUI Jail Time Escalates
Mandatory minimum jail rises with each prior DUI in 84 months and with your BAC.
| Offense (within 84 months) | Standard (.08–.149) | Extreme (.15–.199) | Super Extreme (.20+) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st offense | 10 days | 30 days | 45 days |
| 2nd offense | 90 days | 120 days | 180 days |
| 3rd offense | Felony: 4 mo prison | Felony: 4 mo prison | Felony: 4 mo prison |
A 3rd DUI in 84 months is an aggravated (felony) DUI under A.R.S. 28-1383.
How We Reduce the Cost of a DUI
Most of a DUI’s cost is tied to the conviction itself. By challenging the stop, the breath or blood testing, and impairment, or by getting the charge reduced, we can eliminate jail, shorten interlock, lower the insurance hit, and in many cases keep a conviction off your record entirely. Compare the first, second, and third-offense penalties, then call us for a free review.
Arizona DUI Cost FAQs
Quick answers to the questions we hear most.
How much does a DUI cost in Arizona?
A first DUI in Arizona typically costs $7,000 to $10,000 all-in, court fines and surcharges (about $1,500), attorney fees, SR-22 insurance increases, ignition interlock, alcohol classes, and towing. Second and third offenses cost substantially more.
How much does a first DUI cost in Arizona?
Roughly $7,000 to $10,000 over time. The court fine and surcharges are about $1,500, but the SR-22 insurance increase, interlock, classes, and attorney fees make up most of the real cost.
How much does a DUI cost over 10 years?
Most of the cost lands in the first three years (fines, attorney, interlock, classes) plus the SR-22 insurance surcharge, but a DUI can affect insurance rates and job prospects far longer, pushing the lifetime cost well above the initial $7,000 to $10,000.
How much does a DUI lawyer cost in Arizona?
It depends on the charge and whether it goes to trial. We offer a free consultation and flat-fee quotes, and a good defense often saves far more than it costs by avoiding jail, lowering the insurance hit, or beating the charge.
What is the fine for a DUI in Arizona?
Base fines plus surcharges run about $1,500 for a standard first offense, $2,500+ for an extreme DUI, and over $4,500 for a felony, separate from insurance, interlock, and attorney costs.
How much does a second DUI cost in Arizona?
A second DUI within 84 months typically costs $12,000 to $20,000+, driven by a 90-day minimum jail term, higher fines, a one-year license revocation, and steeper insurance.
Is a third DUI a felony in Arizona?
Yes. A third DUI within 84 months is an aggravated (felony) DUI, a Class 4 felony with a mandatory 4 months in prison, and the total cost commonly exceeds $20,000 to $35,000.
Can the cost of a DUI be reduced?
Yes. Getting the charge dismissed or reduced removes jail, shortens or eliminates the interlock, lowers the insurance impact, and can keep a conviction off your record, which is where most of the cost comes from.
Key Takeaways
- A first DUI in Arizona typically costs $7,000 to $10,000 all-in, not just the court fine.
- Most of the cost is SR-22 insurance, interlock, classes, and attorney fees, spread over years.
- A second DUI runs ~$12,000 to $20,000+; a third (felony) DUI can exceed $20,000 to $35,000.
- Jail and cost both escalate with each prior DUI in 84 months and with your BAC.
- The single best way to lower the cost is to fight or reduce the charge, call 623-321-4699, 24/7.
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We serve all of Maricopa County and the surrounding area, with free, confidential consultations 24/7 by phone and in-person meetings at either office by appointment.
Case Results Disclaimer: The results described on this page are based on specific facts and circumstances and do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome in any future case. Every case is different. Past results do not guarantee future results. No attorney-client relationship is formed by viewing this page or submitting a contact form until a written fee agreement has been signed. Tamou Law Group, PLLC is licensed to practice law in the State of Arizona. This website is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.