DUI Criminal Defense Lawyer - West Valley City, Utah

If you received a DUI in West Valley City, Utah, it is crucial you seek the legal advice of a capable and professional DUI defense attorney immediately. Being charged with DUI is a serious offense that can have major repercussions, including fines, jail time, and loss of driving privileges. It is very important that anyone facing a DUI (DWI) charge understand what challenges they will face. Call a Utah DUI criminal defense lawyer today for a free, professional consultation.

Arrested for DUI in West Valley City, Utah?

Under Utah law, once you have been cited for violating the DUI statute, the state initiates two simultaneous, yet separate legal actions against you. The criminal action is in response to the ticket that was issued to you, while the administrative action is brought against your driver's license in Utah by the Utah DLD. While both actions can result in the suspension of your driving privileges in Utah, it is important to remember that there may be additional penalties to consider and each action must be handled separately.

Utah DWI (driving while intoxicated) or DUI (driving under the influence) Administrative Hearing

If you fail to request a hearing within 10 days, your right to the hearing is lost, and your driver's license in Utah is automatically suspended for the applicable statutory time frame. Once the arresting officer retains your state issued driver's license, you are issued a temporary license which allows you to drive for 30 days from the date the order was issued. In order to preserve your right to an administrative hearing, it is crucial that you submit your request to the Utah DLD within 10 days. Contact an aggressive and knowledgeable DUI criminal defense lawyer to help, but do not delay. Pursuant to Utah law, an individual has 10 days to request an Administrative Hearing from the Utah Driver License Division.

DUI Penalties for First Time Offenders

• Alcohol Evaluation - Successful completion of a DUI drug and alcohol screening and assessment program is required for reinstatement of driving privileges in Utah.
• Probation - Probation may be ordered, at the court's discretion, for a first time DUI.
• Monetary Fines - In West Valley City, Utah, fines for a first time DUI are a minimum of $700.00.
• Commercial Drivers - Commercial drivers are in violation of the DUI statute with a BAC (Blood Alcohol Content) level of 0.04. A first time DWI or DUI conviction will result in the loss of the commercial driver's license for 1 year, while any subsequent Utah DUI offenses will result in a lifetime loss of the CDL.
• Chemical Test Refusal - Refusing to submit to a test when requested by law enforcement will result in the revocation of Utah driver's license for 18 months.
• Utah Driving Privileges and DUI - In West Valley City, Utah, a first time DWI (driving while intoxicated) or DUI (driving under the influence) conviction results in the revocation of driving privileges in Utah for 90 days.
• Time in Jail - In West Valley City, Utah, a first time DWI (driving while intoxicated) or DUI (driving under the influence) offender faces jail time of 48 consecutive hours. However, the court may instead require the offender to complete at least 48 hours of community service, or be confined to the home through the use of electronic monitoring.

DUI Subsequent Offenses

Penalties are increasingly more severe for any additional DUI violations. Due to the complexity of DUI laws in Utah, you may not be aware of options and rights. This is why a capable and experienced criminal defense attorney can guide you through this emotionally challenging process. Please contact an Utah DUI (DWI) defense attorney for a consultation.

Title 41 Motor Vehicles - Utah Code

Chapter 6a - Traffic Code

Section 502 - Driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or a combination of both or with specified or unsafe blood alcohol concentration.

41-6a-502. Driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or a combination of both or with specified or unsafe blood alcohol concentration.

• (1) A person may not operate or be in actual physical control of a vehicle within this state if the person:
• (a) has sufficient alcohol in the person's body that a subsequent chemical test shows that the person has a blood or breath alcohol concentration of .08 grams or greater at the time of the test;
• (b) is under the influence of alcohol, any drug, or the combined influence of alcohol and any drug to a degree that renders the person incapable of safely operating a vehicle; or
• (c) has a blood or breath alcohol concentration of .08 grams or greater at the time of operation or actual physical control.
• (2) Alcohol concentration in the blood shall be based upon grams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood, and alcohol concentration in the breath shall be based upon grams of alcohol per 210 liters of breath.
• (3) A violation of this section includes a violation under a local ordinance similar to this section adopted in compliance with Section 41-6a-510.

Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 2, 2005 General Session and Amended by Chapter 91, 2005 General Session

Additional DUI Costs in Utah

There are numerous charges beyond the court fines and costs that can add up and cost you a lot of money. Some of the other costs for DUI in West Valley City, Utah may include but are not limited to:

• Auto Insurance - On top of everything else, once you do get your license back, there is a good chance your monthly premium is going to be higher.
• Loss of Wages - When you begin to add in the money lost by missing work, the amount really begins to add up quickly.
• Towing - Having your vehicle towed in West Valley City, Utah can be expensive.
• Vehicle Storage - After your vehicle is towed, it has to be stored somewhere, which is another additional cost.

There are quite a few "extra costs" when you get a DUI in West Valley City, Utah. It is important you seek the legal advice of a capable and experienced DUI criminal defense attorney immediately. Call today for a consultation.

Disclaimer: The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. We invite you to contact us and welcome your calls, letters and electronic mail. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please do not send any confidential information to us until such time as an attorney-client relationship has been established.