SCREENING & CLASSES · A.R.S. § 28-1385

Arizona Alcohol Screening, Classes & Treatment

Written by Roth Law · 33+ years · Last reviewed 2026-04-16

What Arizona Courts Require

Every Arizona DUI conviction includes a court-ordered alcohol or drug screening followed by classes and — depending on the screening recommendation — treatment. The hours are assigned by the screening, not by the charge: 16 hours of alcohol and drug education covers most first offenses, while 36, 56, and 108-hour treatment tiers apply to extreme, repeat, aggravated, and the most serious cases. Nobody can tell you your hour count before the screening is done.

The Screening Interview

A licensed counselor conducts a confidential interview covering your drinking history, the facts of the arrest, prior offenses, and medical history. The interview produces a recommendation the court relies on at sentencing. Honesty matters — the counselor is looking for risk factors, not trying to punish you.

Classes That Actually Count

Arizona courts only accept classes from licensed providers. Alternative Education Solutions is a state-approved provider running both in-person classes in Scottsdale and fully online DUI education for out-of-state and remote clients. Completion certificates are transmitted directly to the court and to MVD.

Treatment Beyond Classes

For extreme, super extreme, and repeat cases the screening often recommends treatment — group or individual counseling, intensive outpatient (IOP), or inpatient. AES either provides or refers for every level of care.

Domestic Violence Classes

AES also provides court-ordered domestic violence education and anger management classes, which are often ordered alongside DUI cases involving a family member or passenger.

DUI Defense Resource Network