Do I Have to Go to Court for a DUI in Arizona?

January 30, 2026

Do I Have to Go to Court for a DUI in Arizona?

If you’ve been arrested for DUI in Arizona, one of the first and most pressing questions on your mind is likely: “Do I have to go to court?” The short answer is: yes—in most cases, DUI charges in Arizona require at least one court appearance. Failing to appear can lead to serious consequences, including a warrant for your arrest and additional charges.


At DwaneCates.com, PLLC, we help clients across Phoenix and throughout Arizona navigate the DUI court process with confidence. From your initial arraignment to potential trial proceedings, our legal team is committed to standing by your side at every stage of the case.


When Is a Court Appearance Required for DUI in Arizona?

In Arizona, DUI charges are criminal offenses, not traffic infractions. That means you’ll be required to appear in criminal court. Whether you’re facing a first-time misdemeanor DUI or a more serious felony-level DUI, the legal system requires your participation in the court process.


Common DUI Court Events:

  • Arraignment – Your first court appearance where charges are formally presented and a plea is entered.
  • Pre-Trial Conferences – Where your attorney negotiates with prosecutors and may challenge evidence.
  • Motion Hearings – If your legal team files motions to suppress evidence or dismiss charges.
  • Trial – If your case isn’t resolved through plea negotiation or dismissal, it may proceed to trial.

The number and type of court appearances will vary depending on your case’s complexity, but missing a required appearance can immediately damage your defense.


Can My Lawyer Go to Court on My Behalf?

In some misdemeanor DUI cases, your attorney may be able to appear on your behalf for certain court dates—especially for out-of-state residents or under specific court rules. However, this isn’t true for all proceedings, and you should never assume you can skip court without clear direction from your lawyer.

At DwaneCates.com, PLLC, we review your case details carefully to determine if we can limit your required appearances. If personal attendance is necessary, we prepare you thoroughly for what to expect and how to present yourself.


What If I Miss My DUI Court Date?

Missing a court appearance—even accidentally—can have immediate and severe consequences:

  • Bench warrant issued for your arrest
  • License suspension
  • Additional criminal charges
  • Forfeiture of bond (if applicable)

If you’ve already missed a court date, don’t wait. Contact DwaneCates.com, PLLC immediately so we can act quickly to minimize the damage and help you get back on track.


How DwaneCates.com, PLLC Helps You Navigate DUI Court

The court process can feel overwhelming, especially if this is your first encounter with the criminal justice system. At DwaneCates.com, PLLC, we guide you through each phase—from arraignment to resolution—with a clear defense strategy and step-by-step support.

We focus on:

  • Reviewing and challenging the evidence against you
  • Representing your interests in all pretrial negotiations
  • Filing motions to suppress invalid tests or unlawful stops
  • Preparing you thoroughly for each court appearance
  • Fighting for dismissals, reduced charges, or alternative sentencing

We don’t just show up—we take action to protect your rights and push for the best possible outcome.


Facing DUI Charges in Arizona? Let Us Help.

A DUI charge is a serious matter that demands a serious response. Don’t make the mistake of going through the court process unprepared—or alone. DwaneCates.com, PLLC is here to help you understand your legal options, represent your interests in court, and fight to protect your future.


📞 Call us today at 602-878-8695 to schedule a confidential consultation, or visit
👉
www.DwaneCates.com to learn more about your rights and next steps.


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When charged with a crime in Arizona you need the Best Criminal Defense Lawyer you can find. This is not always easy. Dwane Cates is one of the Best Criminal Defense Lawyers in Arizona and has the Credentials to prove it. He is Board Certified by the State Bar of Arizona as a Specialist in Criminal Law. This means that he had to take an extra bar exam, he has to attend additional and more advanced training every year and he has verified trial experience. The State Bar of Arizona also awarded Dwane Cates with the Tom Karas Award for Criminal Justice. This is a very exclusive award and only twenty two Arizona Criminal Defense Lawyers have ever received this award. Being a great attorney is more than just about knowledge and understanding the law. Managing large criminal cases requires a true captain who can navigate the case through all types of obstacles and aversion. He or she must be able to explore the case from both an offensive and defensive position. It is essential to explore any investigative issues to challenge the allegations and evidence wherever possible while simultaneously exploring mitigation to allow for more meaningful settlement potential should the facts of the case not be favorable to the accused. Arizona Criminal Lawyer, Dwane Cates, understands how to navigate large complex criminal cases. Homicide cases require different components than Dangerous Crimes Against Children, which in turn require different components than Dangerous Drug Sales. He understands the timing and the steps needed and is never about just doing the minimum. He is an excellent captain who gathers the right resources in each case to reach the best possible outcome. Finding and hiring the best forensic experts possible is a key part of managing large criminal cases. Finding needed areas for expert review and input is just the beginning. Vetting experts, strategically setting the scope of their work, and evolving opinions through the case evolution is complex and requires skill and communication. Dwane picks up the phone and calls various experts to discuss possibilities in a case and often is directed into more areas to explore. He knows how to best use the resources around him and the relationships he built over the past 25 years. Case Investigation is particularly important. Mr. Cates thoroughly reviews the State’s evidence and investigation. He tries to challenge any physical evidence by bringing in forensic experts to challenge specific areas of DNA, ballistics, pathology, toxicology, pharmacology, and scene reconstruction. He tries to challenge any witness evidence by exploring witness backgrounds, credibility, eyewitness identification issues, interrogation issues, and finding and interviewing witnesses not appropriately identified or interviewed during the initial criminal investigation. Case Mitigation can serve a critical role in preparing a defense to a charge in Arizona. Arizona Criminal lawyer, Dwane Cates, believes that understanding the person charged is just as important as understanding the charges alleged. Exploring all extenuating circumstances to a charged event and the person charged, could aid in the reduction of charges and/or the possible sentencing outcomes faced in a case. Arizona’s mandatory minimum sentencing statutes that also include many built-in enhancements requires mitigation exploration. Gathering mitigation and supporting records should be done by an experienced Mitigation Specialist. It is also important to find potential mental health issues and when present, have them substantiated by proper forensic evaluation. Psychosexual, psychological, and neuropsychological evaluations can be critical to confirming and proving genuine conditions that contributed to offense behavior. Dwane Cates understands how to begin a case, evolve with the case through the defense investigation, and then how to navigate to the best possible outcome. He actively sends deviation requests, investigative and expert reports, and mitigation as needed to work the case to the best conclusion. Most importantly, Dwane is an excellent trial attorney and as the case is worked, he figures out if trial is proper and strategizes accordingly. Complex cases need to be managed by an experienced trial attorney with a reputation of winning trials. The prosecutions posture in complex criminal cases is dramatically affected by whether they are worried about facing an attorney in trial.