Pima County DUI Court Process

A first-time DUI in Pima County can carry a 10-day mandatory jail sentence on paper, but 9 of those days get suspended if the defendant completes an alcohol screening and treatment program. That single mechanism explains why most first offenders serve one day, not ten.

Which Court Hears Your Case

Where the case lands depends on the arresting agency and the severity of the charge. Most misdemeanor DUIs — arrests made by the Pima County Sheriff's Department or Arizona DPS — go to the Pima County Consolidated Justice Court (PCCJC) at 240 N. Stone Ave. in Tucson. If Tucson Police made the arrest, the case goes to Tucson City Court at 103 E. Alameda St. instead. Two smaller courts handle their own geographic areas: Green Valley Justice Court at 601 N. La Cañada Dr. for the southern part of the county, and Ajo Justice Court at 111 La Mina Ave. for the remote western district. Felony, or "Aggravated," DUI goes to Superior Court at 110 W. Congress St., regardless of which agency made the arrest.

The Justice Court precincts are each run by an elected Justice of the Peace: Victoria Steele in Precinct 1, Erica Cornejo in Precinct 2, Sara Mae Williams in Precinct 3, and Charlene Pesquiera in Precinct 4. Unlike Superior Court judges, who are appointed and then stand for retention, JPs are directly elected — a distinction that shapes how each precinct handles sentencing discretion.

What Makes a DUI a Felony Here

Three things elevate a DUI to felony territory in Arizona: driving on a suspended or revoked license, having a passenger under 15 in the vehicle, or a third DUI within an 84-month lookback period. Any of those routes the case to Superior Court as a Class 4 or Class 6 felony, with mandatory prison time — a minimum of four months for the license-suspension version — plus a one-year license revocation.

Sentencing by BAC Level

Misdemeanor penalties scale directly with blood alcohol concentration at the time of the stop:

A standard DUI (BAC 0.08% to 0.149%, or impairment to the "slightest degree" under A.R.S. § 28-1381) carries a mandatory 10 days in jail, 9 of which can be suspended with treatment completion, and roughly $1,500 or more in fines, plus a 90-day license suspension.

Extreme DUI (BAC 0.15% to 0.199%) jumps to 30 days minimum, 21 suspendable, and fines starting around $2,700.

Super Extreme DUI (0.20% and above) carries 45 days minimum, 31 suspendable, and fines starting near $3,200.

All three carry the same 90-day license suspension floor. The 84-month lookback also matters here: a second DUI within that window pushes jail time toward 90 days even at the misdemeanor level.

The Path From Arrest to Arraignment

After a traffic stop, Arizona's implied consent law (A.R.S. § 28-1321) means refusing a blood, breath, or urine test triggers its own license suspension independent of the criminal case. Following booking at the Pima County Adult Detention Complex, the Initial Appearance must happen within 24 hours, held by video from the jail with sessions at 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. daily. Arraignment — the formal entry of a plea, almost always "not guilty" at this stage to preserve trial rights — follows within 10 days for anyone still in custody, or 30 days for anyone released beforehand. For felony cases at Superior Court, defendants are typically told to arrive 30 minutes before their docket time for financial processing related to appointed counsel.

Specialty and Diversion Courts

Pima County runs several programs aimed at treating DUI as a substance-use problem rather than a purely punitive matter. The Green Valley Justice Court operates a DUI Treatment Court for high-risk, high-need offenders in the southern part of the county, combining frequent testing and counseling with the possibility of a reduced charge or sentence on completion. The Consolidated Misdemeanor Problem Solving Court, known locally as "Compass" Court, targets defendants with co-occurring mental health and substance issues across the PCCJC and municipal courts. Tucson City Court separately runs a Mental Health Diversion program for defendants with a diagnosed serious mental illness, where charges can be dismissed after roughly six months of compliance with a treatment provider. None of these tracks are automatic — eligibility is determined case by case, and a DUI attorney can advise on whether a given case qualifies.

Case Records and Payments

Superior Court records are searchable through the state's Public Access to Court Case Information portal at apps.azcourts.gov. Justice Court cases, including calendar information and traffic ticket payments, run through the PCCJC's own site at jp.pima.gov. Courts accept cash, cashier's checks, money orders, and credit cards, and most fines can be paid online without an in-person visit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which court handles a DUI arrest in Pima County? It depends on the arresting agency: Sheriff's Department and DPS arrests go to the Pima County Consolidated Justice Court (240 N. Stone Ave.), Tucson Police arrests go to Tucson City Court, and felony/aggravated DUIs go to Superior Court (110 W. Congress St.) regardless of agency.

How much jail time does a first DUI carry in Pima County? A standard DUI carries a mandatory 10 days, but 9 can be suspended by completing alcohol screening and treatment, leaving one day actually served. Extreme and Super Extreme DUI, based on higher BAC levels, carry longer mandatory floors of 30 and 45 days respectively.

What turns a Pima County DUI into a felony charge? Three triggers: driving on a suspended or revoked license, having a passenger under 15 in the car, or a third DUI within 84 months. Any of these sends the case to Superior Court as a felony with mandatory prison time.

Is there a treatment-based alternative to jail time for a DUI in Pima County? Yes, for eligible defendants. Green Valley Justice Court runs a DUI Treatment Court, the Consolidated Justice Court system runs the "Compass" mental-health/substance-use docket, and Tucson City Court offers a separate Mental Health Diversion program — eligibility is case-specific and worth discussing with a DUI attorney.

How do I look up my DUI case online in Pima County? Superior Court cases are searchable at apps.azcourts.gov. Justice Court cases, including calendar and payment info, are handled through jp.pima.gov.

Sources

• Pima County Superior & Justice Courts
• Pima County Attorney's Office – The Legal Process
• Pima County Attorney's Office – Diversion Programs
• Arizona Judicial Branch – Public Access Case Lookup
• Arizona Department of Transportation – DUI