A first-offense DUI at University Lakes Justice Court carried 1 day mandatory jail, a 12-month IID, SR-22, MADD VIP, and a permanent C1M DUI record. Future First reduced the case to Reckless Driving with zero jail, zero IID, and $0 in fines after the court deleted the fine package on counseling completion.
At a glance
| Court | University Lakes Justice Court |
| Original charge | DUI Impaired to the Slightest Degree (ARS § 28-1381(A)(1)), Class 1 Misdemeanor |
| Presumptive exposure | 1 day mandatory in custody, mandatory IID for one year, full DUI counseling, SR-22 high-risk insurance for three years, MADD victim impact panel, fines and surcharges typically running over $1,500, and a permanent C1M DUI conviction with a 3-year sealing wait |
| Result | State amended charge to Reckless Driving under ARS § 28-693(A), Class 2 Misdemeanor; zero jail; $0 in fines (court deleted on counseling and MADD VIP completion); no IID, no SR-22, no DUI on the record; sealing wait cut from 3 years to 2 |
| Eligibility for set aside | Immediate after sentence completion under ARS § 13-905 |
| Eligibility for sealing | Approximately 2026 under ARS § 13-911, two years after sentence completion under the Class 2 Misdemeanor wait |
The stakes
The client faced a Class 1 Misdemeanor DUI under ARS § 28-1381(A)(1) in University Lakes Justice Court. A standard DUI conviction would have meant at least 1 day in custody, a one-year ignition interlock device, SR-22 high-risk insurance for three years, MADD VIP attendance, full DUI counseling, fines and surcharges over $1,500, and a permanent DUI record that surfaces on background checks for life.
What we did
Future First negotiated the case down to Reckless Driving under ARS § 28-693(A), a non-DUI Class 2 Misdemeanor. The court deleted all fines on completion of counseling and MADD VIP, so the client paid $0 out of pocket on the sentence. No jail. No IID. No SR-22. No DUI on the record. Set aside under ARS § 13-905 became available immediately after sentence completion. Sealing records under ARS § 13-911 eligible approximately 2026, two years after sentence completion.
What our clients say
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If you’re facing a first-offense DUI in Arizona
Fine deletion on counseling completion is an unusual sentencing outcome that depends on judge discretion. Some Maricopa County justice courts permit the judge to delete the full fine package if the client completes alcohol screening, the recommended counseling course, and MADD VIP before the deletion deadline. The structure removes the largest financial obligation in the Reckless Driving plea package, leaving the client with no out-of-pocket fine cost on the sentence.
The zero-fine outcome on a DUI-to-Reckless reduction is the strongest financial result available short of full case dismissal. Standard DUI fine packages run $1,500 to $2,000 plus surcharges, Reckless Driving fine packages typically run $700 to $1,200. Cutting that final fine package down to $0 through counseling completion delivers the maximum financial benefit available on any DUI plea.
Future First Criminal Law has handled first-offense DUI reductions across Maricopa County and Arizona. We know how University Lakes Justice Court and other justice courts evaluate fine-deletion structures on counseling completion.
Related resources
- Arizona DUI defense — full overview of how we handle every tier of DUI charge
- Set aside and sealing in Arizona — how to clean up your record after a DUI conviction
Call us
Facing a first-offense DUI in Arizona? Call Future First Criminal Law at 602-932-7890 or request a free consultation. We have handled hundreds of Arizona DUI cases at every tier. The earlier we are involved, the more options you have.
Anonymized in line with firm policy. Client name not used. Specific dates approximated to year only. Outcome described reflects this client’s actual results. Past outcomes do not guarantee future results. For more detailed information on Arizona DUI law, visit the Arizona State Legislature website.