SALT LAKE CITY DUI DEFENSE ATTORNEY
If you have been charged with a DUI in Utah acting quickly is essential to handling your case. Contact Intermountain Legal for a free consultation to see if you need an attorney to help minimize the consequences of DUI charge and protect your future. Call 801-970-2800 or email us.
DUI Charges
Utah law defines several situations where someone can get arrested and convicted for DUI. The most common are DUI—alcohol-related and DUI—drug-related. The law states that a person cannot be in “actual physical control” of a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and/or any drug to a degree which makes him/her incapable of safely operating a vehicle, or having a blood or breath alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or greater at the time of "actual physical control" or at the time of the BAC test.
This means that you can get charged with DUI even if you are not driving, as long as you are in "actual physical control." Such as when someone calls a friend to pick him up and waits for the friend in their car, or when someone decides to sleep it off in their car before driving home. This also means that you can get arrested for a DUI even if you are under the legal BAC limit, as long as the officer thinks you are not safely operating your vehicle. Or, you can unintentionally get a DUI if you have unintended side-effects from prescription drugs or if your BAC is unexpectedly high because you had an empty stomach when you had a drink.
Because of the technical nature of investigations and the complexity of procedure, police must follow several steps to get an accurate BAC result. Inexperienced officers or officers who are less careful will often make mistakes that call into question the accuracy of the test results. These mistakes can lead to severe consequences for your license, your job, and your freedom. A good DUI attorney will be able to find any mistakes and use those to challenge the result.
In cases where the officer did everything right and the case is strong against you, there are several things you can do to minimize the most severe consequences. Depending on the case, a good attorney can negotiate community service instead of jail and classes instead of having your license suspended. There are also ways to reduce the overall costs that you may be facing.
DUI Attorney Salt Lake City
If you are charged with DUI in Utah a good DUI Attorney will tell you that you must be aware of two urgent matters. 1) You (or your Salt Lake City DUI Attorney) need to request a Driver License Hearing from the Driver License division within 10 calendar days of your DUI citation or arrest. If you fail to request a Driver License hearing you risk an automatic suspension of your Driver License. 2) You (or your DUI Lawyer) must contact the court between 5 and 14 days after your arrest. If you fail to contact the court you risk having warrant being issued for your arrest.
Utah takes DUI charges very seriously. Almost every year during the legislative session the legislature makes the penalties and consequences harsher for people who are charged with or convicted of DUI. In 2019 Utah reduced the legal alcohol limit for DUI to .05.
If you or someone you care about has been charged with DUI, you’re probably mortified with the prospect of the devastating consequences that may be imposed by the State of Utah. Most people contact a DUI attorney because they are frightened about going to jail, losing employment, having their driver license suspended, or a myriad of other consequences. Almost every year the legislature passes laws that make it harder for people who are charged with DUI to maintain the life they have built.
Choosing a DUI Lawyer
When it comes to choosing a DUI attorney in Salt Lake City, the choice is crucial. The DUI attorneys at Intermountain Legal provide the very best representation and experience.
1. Expertise and Experienced DUI Attorneys
Our team of skilled DUI attorneys in Salt Lake City possesses a deep understanding of Utah’s DUI laws and the legal processes involved. With years of experience, we have successfully handled a wide range of DUI cases, from first-time offenses to multiple offenses, to offenses involving death or serious injury.
2. Personalized Approach
We recognize that every case is unique, and cookie-cutter approaches don’t yield the best results. Our DUI defense lawyers take the time to understand the specifics of your situation, tailoring our strategies to your individual needs.
3. Protecting Your Rights
Being charged with a DUI can be overwhelming, and it’s easy to feel like your rights are being ignored. Our team is dedicated to upholding your rights throughout the legal process, ensuring that you understand your right and you can exercise your rights.
4. Proven Track Record
Our track record speaks for itself. As DUI attorneys in Salt Lake City, we have secured favorable outcomes for numerous clients, often resulting in reduced charges, minimized penalties, or even case dismissals.
Intermountain Legal:
Your DUI Lawyers
As your chosen Salt Lake City DUI Attorney, we provide a comprehensive range of services to address all aspects of your case:
1. Strong DUI Defense
Our core focus is on defending you against DUI charges. Our experienced DUI Defense lawyers will carefully analyze the circumstances surrounding your arrest, challenge the strength of the state’s case against you, and strive to uncover any errors the government has made that could be used in your favor.
2. Legal Guidance
Navigating the legal system can be daunting. Our experienced DUI lawyers provide you with the guidance you need, explaining the process in plain language and helping you make informed decisions.
3. Negotiation and Litigation
We are skilled negotiators and litigators. Whether it’s seeking a plea deal or representing you at trial, we use our expertise to pursue the best possible outcome for your case.
Utah DUI Lawyer
Our lead DUI attorney, Justin S. Pratt, focuses his practice on representing people charged with DUI. He has successfully challenged the reliability of breath and blood test results in court to have cases dismissed. He has received the same training police officers receive to perform the Field Sobriety Tests. This specialized training and experience gives Justin the expertise needed to know when to fight hard to get your case dismissed and when to negotiate to reduce your charges and minimize your consequences. He seeks every opportunity to challenge the evidence in your DUI case.
Acting quickly is essential to handling your case. After receiving a DUI citation you have a limited time to request a driver license hearing. An experienced DUI Attorney can help you request that hearing to avoid a license suspension. In addition, it may be helpful to begin doing some treatment, community service, or something else that will put you in a better position before you go to court. You should consult with your DUI attorney to see whether you need to act quickly in your case.
Utah laws are strict and the DUI penalties can be severe, but with a good understanding of DUI laws and defense, you can make the best choices to minimize the consequences and protect your future.
If you decide to hire an attorney to give you the best DUI defense possible, you can contact Intermountain Legal for a free consultation.
Consequences of a DUI Conviction
Utah has created several minimum mandatory sentencing requirements for DUI convictions. A person who is convicted of DUI may face a minimum jail sentence, driver license suspension, requirement to install an interlock on their vehicle, and a fine in addition to supervised probation, a substance abuse evaluation, and an order to follow through with any treatment recommended by the substance abuse evaluation.
An experienced Salt Lake City DUI Attorney can determine whether it is possible to avoid or reduce the minimum mandatory DUI sentence as well as assist you with avoiding punishments above and beyond the minimum mandatory sentencing.
Salt Lake City DUI Attorney
When facing a DUI charge, the right legal representation can make all the difference. Our team of dedicated DUI attorneys in Salt Lake City is committed to fighting for your rights and securing the best possible outcome for your case. With our experience, personalized approach, and proven track record, you can trust us to navigate the legal complexities and stand by your side every step of the way.
Contacting a DUI Defense Attorney
Intermountain Legal can get involved immediately to maximize your chances of success. By taking immediate action, an attorney can ensure that your rights are protected and that you make the right decisions. A DUI defense attorney will know how to challenge key evidence, which can lead to the reduction or complete dismissal of criminal charges.
To contact the DUI attorneys at Intermountain Legal, call 801-970-2800 or click here to fill out our email form.
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