An Attorney's Guide · Phoenix, Arizona
5 of the Best DUI Lawyers in Phoenix, AZ [2026]
I'm Stewart Salwin, a Phoenix DUI defense attorney and former Maricopa County prosecutor. I put this list together the way I would for a friend: the lawyers I would actually trust with a DUI case in this city, including four who compete directly with my own practice.
No directory rankings. No paid placements. Firsthand courtroom knowledge only.
Why this list exists
A Guide From Inside the Courtroom, Not a Directory
When you searched for a DUI lawyer in Phoenix, you probably ran into directory websites claiming to offer "unbiased ratings" of law firms. Here is what those sites will not tell you: their rankings are a pay-to-play form of advertisement, assembled by people who have never stood in an Arizona courtroom.
I have been practicing criminal law in Arizona for over 15 years, first as a prosecutor and since 2014 as a defense attorney, and I have seen firsthand the difference a skilled Phoenix DUI lawyer makes in whether charges get lowered or dismissed outright. A DUI in Arizona carries heavy consequences, including possible jail time, fines, and license suspension, and Arizona's DUI laws are among the harshest in the country. The lawyer you choose matters, so in this guide I share the five best DUI attorneys in Phoenix that I trust and recommend.
To be clear about what you are reading: I am publicly endorsing attorneys who are in direct competition with my own practice. These are lawyers I have worked with and against, and I have seen their dedication to their clients up close.
I would encourage you to reach out to my office first, but I understand you may want to explore every option before hiring someone. My goal is that you finish this page with everything you need to make an informed decision about your future.
Consider the source
What Makes Me Qualified to Recommend Phoenix DUI Attorneys?
The rankings you found are advertisements
The people who run Justia, Expertise, Yelp, Three Best Rated, Avvo, Superlawyers, and Best Lawyers have never practiced Arizona DUI defense, let alone defended a client's freedom against a criminal prosecution. I have. That makes this list more informed than any directory can be.
Thousands of cases, more than 70 trials
At the Maricopa County Attorney's Office I handled thousands of felony and misdemeanor cases, including DUIs, and conducted more than 70 trials. I know what strong defense work looks like because I spent years on the receiving end of it.
I defend these cases every week
Since 2014 my private practice has been dedicated to defending people accused of DUI in Phoenix. If you want to see exactly how I work a case, both the criminal charge and the license suspension, read my Phoenix DUI lawyer page.
The short version
The Best Phoenix DUI Lawyers
I will start with myself, and I will keep it factual so you can judge for yourself. I handled over a thousand DUI cases as a prosecutor for the Maricopa County Attorney's Office before dedicating my practice to DUI defense in Phoenix. I am an experienced trial attorney with more than 70 trials behind me, and I am the only DUI attorney in Arizona who is both a Harvard Law graduate and a former DUI prosecutor.
I have a track record of results defending clients against DUI and other criminal charges, and every client gets my cell phone number. This is a frightening time in your life; a lawyer you can always reach makes a real difference.
"As an attorney, I was terrified after being charged with a DUI. Stewart walked me through the entire process. All of my questions were answered in detail. I am forever grateful for the outcome of my case."
Former client · a practicing defense attorney charged with a DUI in ArizonaAttorney David Black is a top-rated Phoenix DUI lawyer with a perfect 10 score on Avvo, the highest possible peer rating on Martindale-Hubbell, and an A+ grade with the Better Business Bureau.
Before entering private practice, David served as a prosecutor at the Maricopa County Attorney's Office, experience he now uses to anticipate how the prosecution will build its case. He is a veteran of the criminal justice system, an experienced trial attorney, and has successfully represented hundreds of clients in Arizona since 2008.
"I've known David for years and worked with him on a number of cases back when I was still a prosecutor at the County Attorney's Office. He is a skilled attorney and an honest man who I have always seen express a genuine concern for his clients."
Stewart Salwin · firsthand, from the prosecutor yearsAttorney Kurt Altman is the owner and principal of Altman Law & Policy, a Phoenix law firm built on quality advocacy. He served as both a Deputy Maricopa County Attorney and an Assistant United States Attorney for the District of Arizona, conducting hundreds of investigations and felony jury trials, and his courtroom work earned the Director's Award, the highest honor given to Department of Justice lawyers.
Kurt moved to private practice in 2008 and has focused his career on criminal law for more than 27 years. He keeps a light online presence, which is exactly why a list like this matters: some of the best lawyers in this city are not the loudest ones.
"Kurt is a professor of evidence at ASU Law School and highly regarded for his detailed knowledge of the criminal system. I've known him since 2018, when we shared an office space, and I've seen firsthand how he uses his understanding of the court system to help clients in very serious cases. I trust his judgment implicitly."
Stewart Salwin · firsthand, since 2018Attorney Lawrence "Larry" Kazan is a widely recognized Phoenix DUI attorney. Beyond his Arizona criminal defense practice, he has appeared in the federal courts of California, Minnesota, Kentucky, and Maryland, and the team at Debus & Kazan is regarded as one of the preeminent criminal defense firms in Arizona.
You will not find them much online. Among their peers, they are held in the highest respect, and in criminal defense, peer respect is the rating that counts.
"Larry is well known in the criminal defense world for his skilled representation. I know him best from my days as a prosecutor, where I saw firsthand his deep understanding of DUI law and his advocacy for his clients."
Stewart Salwin · firsthand, from the prosecutor yearsAttorney Ryan Tait is the founding partner and chief litigator of Tait & Hall. As a former prosecutor, he brings inside knowledge of the criminal justice system to his clients' cases, and during his prosecutor years he had a higher success rate taking cases to trial than any other prosecutor in his bureau.
Ryan holds a 10 rating on Avvo and has been recognized as a Preeminent Lawyer by Martindale-Hubbell, the highest ethical standing a lawyer can achieve. He is a believer in fighting for people targeted by the criminal justice system.
"I saw Ryan's work in the courtroom back when he was working for another firm, and I know him to be an effective trial advocate and a skilled lawyer."
Stewart Salwin · firsthand, from the courtroomWhoever you choose, choose fast. The license suspension clock does not wait for your decision.
Call (480) 702-1789Straight answers
Questions About Hiring a DUI Lawyer in Phoenix
When should you hire a Phoenix DUI lawyer?
Do you need to hire a DUI lawyer "near me"?
What is the average cost of a DUI lawyer in Arizona?
Can a DUI charge be dismissed in Arizona?
Can a DUI charge be reduced in Arizona?
How did I select the "best" DUI lawyers in Phoenix?
The next step
Do You Need to Speak With a DUI Defense Lawyer?
If you or someone you love is facing DUI charges, talk to an experienced defense attorney as soon as possible, whoever that ends up being. At Salwin Law Group, I represent clients across the Phoenix metro area, including Scottsdale, Phoenix, Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler, Glendale, and Surprise.
I am a former prosecutor who now dedicates my practice to defending people accused of DUI and other criminal charges. I know how to challenge the evidence against you, and the first thing you get from me is a frank, realistic read on your case. Call (480) 702-1789 or contact my office online for a free consultation.
Free consultation
Start With a Straight Answer
Talk to every lawyer on this list if you want. But start somewhere, today. One free call gives you a realistic read on your case, and you will speak with me directly.
This page is attorney advertising and reflects the professional opinions of Stewart Salwin, based on firsthand experience in Arizona's criminal courts. No attorney or firm paid to be included on this list, and inclusion is not a guarantee of any outcome in your case. Third-party ratings and credentials are as reported at the time of writing and subject to change. This page is general information, not legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship.