Can You Be a Firefighter with a DUI in Arizona? click for a free consultation

Posted on January 30, 2026 in DUI

Becoming—or remaining—a firefighter in Arizona with a driving under the influence (DUI) conviction can present challenges, but they are not always insurmountable. In this blog post, we cover how firefighter candidates can deal with a prior DUI conviction during the application process and the effect of a DUI on current firefighters.

The Rosenstein Law Group represents Arizona residents charged with DUI. 

If you need help as a firefighter applicant or are presently employed as a firefighter facing a DUI charge, call our law office at (480) 248-7666, or you can contact us online to speak with one of our DUI attorneys.

How Does a DUI Affect My Firefighter Application in Arizona?

Similar to police officer applicants, firefighter candidates are subject to a background investigation during the application process.

It is essential to be forthright and truthful when completing your application. 

Do not leave out a prior DUI if you have one. If you do, and the DUI is discovered during your background check (as it almost certainly will be), this will be taken as a lack of candor on your part and will have a serious negative impact on your application.

Compared to police officer applicants who have a prior DUI on their records, firefighter applicants have one advantage: firefighters are not likely to find themselves in a courtroom trial setting, so their criminal history is less likely to become an issue in cross-examinations or pretrial discovery than that of a police officer.

What this means is that a fire department may see a past DUI on your record as less of a potentially disqualifying consideration than that of a police department.

Generally speaking, fire departments look for applicants of good moral character. A DUI will not help you in this regard, but neither is it usually something that will cause your application to be automatically rejected. Instead, the people who consider your application will take your criminal record into account as one element of your overall suitability for employment.

What Factors are Important When Considering a Past DUI Charge?

Assuming that a DUI on your record does not automatically preclude your application, the following considerations may be important in assessing its impact.

What was the Nature of the DUI?

Most DUI convictions in Arizona, including extreme and super extreme DUIs, are misdemeanor-level charges. You may be able to overcome this in your application, but a higher blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level or your refusal to submit to BAC testing when the DUI occurred can have an unfavorable bearing on you.

However, an aggravated DUI is a felony-level serious offense. This can be much more difficult to get past; most public agencies, like police departments and fire departments, consider felony convictions on your record to be disqualifying.

When did the DUI take place?

The more distant a DUI is in your past, the better. 

Ideally, the charge needs to have occurred 5 years ago with no subsequent convictions or activity. Conversely, a recent DUI charge or conviction will not reflect well upon you.

How Many DUIs Are There in Your Past?

Anyone can make a single mistake. 

Having one DUI on your record may not be a serious problem, especially if you have already completed all the requirements of your sentence and have your driving privileges reinstated. 

However, two or more may suggest to the application evaluators that you have some moral character issues.

Are There Any Other Charges or Convictions in Your Past?

Respect for the law is generally an indicator of good moral character. One misdemeanor DUI on your record may not be disqualifying. 

However, the presence of multiple misdemeanor charges or convictions can have a negative impact on your application, making it more likely to be denied. This is especially the case if the other charges or convictions involve theft, violence, threats of violence, or reckless behavior.

Applications for firefighter positions are highly competitive. For example, if the evaluation board has a choice between two candidates, one with a clean criminal record and another with multiple instances of illegal activity in the past, the chances are that the person with the clean record will get the job.

How Did the Conviction Affect Your Subsequent Behavior?

Not repeating a mistake is one positive sign in your evaluation as a firefighter candidate. Learning from it is another. If you show genuine remorse about the DUI incident and how it led to positive changes in attitude and behavior toward drinking and driving, this can make a favorable impression and help turn a potential negative into an advantage.

You will need to go through at least one interview during your application process. If you have a DUI in your past, you can anticipate that you may be asked about it with questions like:

• “What were the circumstances of the incident? What led you to drink before driving?”
  
• “What did you learn from the incident? How did it affect your attitude toward alcohol or substance abuse before driving?”
  
• “Do you have any other addictive tendencies or impulse control issues?”
  
• “What do you think the effect of your DUI was on the people you knew, or who might have been counting on your good judgment?”

If you can articulate thoughtful and candid answers to questions like these, it can go far toward minimizing the impact of the DUI on consideration of your suitability for a firefighter career.

If a Fire Department Denies My Application, Can I Reapply?

Provided the fire department you are applying to does not have a policy that prohibits reapplication, you can reapply with the same department if your initial application is denied.

Before doing so, it is a good idea to take steps to address whatever led to your initial application rejection. If a prior DUI was the reason, make sure that you have taken care of all the requirements of the sentence, including any license suspension and reinstatement. If you do this, then it may be possible to seek to have the court set aside your conviction or to have the record of your conviction sealed.

During this interval, you can also take additional steps to reinforce good moral character impressions on your application evaluators, like volunteering for community organizations that evidence your ability to accept responsibility for your past mistake and to change after an indiscretion.

Ultimately, a past DUI on your record does not necessarily mean your firefighter application will be rejected. But it will complicate the hiring process. Your success in overcoming any resulting doubts about your suitability as a candidate will depend on the department’s policies, the nature and timing of the offense, and your ability to demonstrate personal growth and accountability.

Can a Current Firefighter Be Fired for a DUI?

For current firefighters, a DUI charge can be a serious matter, more serious than a past DUI would be for applicants. 

Many fire departments may terminate a firefighter for drunk driving under a zero-tolerance policy, because it raises concerns about that person’s decision-making and reliability, as well as potentially harming the reputation of the department.

You may still be able to address a DUI by challenging the charge in court or by seeking to have a conviction set aside or sealed.

Do You Have a DUI on Your Record as a Fire Department Applicant?

If you are considering employment as a firefighter in Arizona with a DUI or other criminal conviction on your record, it is an uphill climb for you to complete the application process, but you may be able to overcome these challenges with sufficient preparation. This may include seeing whether it is possible to have your DUI conviction set aside or sealed.

Call us at (480) 248-7666, or use our contact form to speak with an experienced Arizona DUI lawyer in a free consultation to discuss your legal options.