DUI Lawyer Salt Lake City, UT

Defending Your Rights and Your Future

Speak with our experienced Salt Lake City, UT DUI lawyer as soon as you’ve been arrested on suspicion of drunk driving. DUI and DWI offenses are taken extremely seriously. If you’re convicted of these infractions, your driving record, insurance premiums, and criminal record will reflect this turn of events. There are severe consequences associated with DUI convictions, including license suspension, fines and jail time. The sooner that our compassionate lawyer at Rasmussen & Miner can begin advising you and building a strong defense, the sooner you can benefit from truly experienced legal guidance. Your future matters, so let’s start making moves to protect it. Call us today to request a free consultation with our client-recommended defense attorney.

Table of Contents

• Defending Your Rights and Your Future
• The Steps of the DUI Process
• Possible Repercussions for a DUI
• Salt Lake City DUI Infographic
• Salt Lake City DUI Statistics
• Salt Lake City DUI FAQs
• Rasmussen & Miner, Salt Lake City DUI Lawyer
• Contact Our Salt Lake City DUI Lawyer Today

The Hearing Before The Driver License Division

When a police officer issues you a DUI citation he takes away your driver’s license and tells you the citation that he just issued you is a temporary license. The officer should further explain that you have a right to a hearing before an administrative judge at the Driver License Division but only if you request it in writing within 10 calendar days.  Failure to request the hearing within 10 calendar days will result in the automatic suspension of your license for a minimum of 120 days. Your citation is valid as a license for thirty days and your hearing before the Driver License Division must occur within that time limit.

It’s always troubled us that the importance of this hearing and how to prepare for it is not more fully explained to the accused driver. Unfortunately, the statute governing these hearings only requires that basic notice of the hearing be given to the accused driver. The accused certainly deserves more than basic notice. He or she should also be aware that the arresting officer must also submit a report, called a DUI Report, to the Driver License Division within the same 10 calendar day period. That report is the blueprint for prosecution of the accused person.

Anyone charged with a DUI should not just request a hearing but also a copy of the DUI Report if they want to have a clue as to what will transpire in the hearing they request. Of course, unless the accused is knowledgeable in DUI law and evidence it would make more sense to retain the services of our lawyer to help them understand the report and how they might best defend their driving privilege.

Many times everything that has transpired – from the initial stop, through field sobriety tests and arrest – is now videotaped. After consulting with our knowledgeable lawyer, you may determine that surrendering your right to remain silent is not in your best interest.  In any event, the time to prepare for this hearing is always less than 30 days. It’s true you have 10, but it’s wise not to waste any time; particularly when you can call our firm and receive a free consultation as to how best to proceed.

The Steps of the DUI Process

It can happen to anyone: just a drink after dinner turns into a late-night party. You drink far more than you ever intended to. Even though you should call a ride, you get in your vehicle. You begin the drive home, only to see flashing lights in your rearview window and you get pulled over.

An officer assesses your condition then charges you with a DUI. This stands for “Driving Under the Influence.” You can be under the influence of either drugs or alcohol to be charged. The steps of a DUI can be lengthy. Our Salt Lake City DUI lawyer can guide you through this process.

Arraignment

The officer should give you a citation ticket that provides a date and time for a mandatory court appearance. This is called an arraignment. A judge will read the charges against you in court. You can then plead guilty or not guilty.

This is the first of a few steps in the process. Know that one of your rights is to have an attorney. Our defense lawyer can work with your specific situation to find a good outcome.

Pretrial

You should have a pretrial conference a few weeks after your arraignment. This is where our DUI attorney can work with the courts on your sentencing. Some examples of this include offering up a community service sentence instead of jail time if jail time is a common sentence.

A Rasmussen & Miner attorney can also advise you of what to do next. This includes whether you should plead guilty, go to trial, or ask for a plea bargain.

Trial

The DUI process can end before it gets to a trial. You may plead guilty or take a plea bargain. In some cases, a trial is a necessary step in your sentencing. This is a court case complete with a jury. Our attorney may ask witnesses to testify.

It can also be a lengthy operation. Your trial can range from days to weeks. This gives time for thorough questioning from the prosecution and defense. It also allows for the jury to come to a decision.

If you are headed into a DUI trial, being patient can help. Let the process unfold as it should. Additionally, you may not even reach the trial process. We can help you decide the best course of action in the DUI process.

Possible Repercussions for a DUI

Each state has laws that make it illegal to operate a vehicle while under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol. If the charge you are facing is listed as a DUI, DWI, or OUI, the repercussions can be quite severe. And unfortunately, the court system just doesn’t allow much leniency and often pushes for the most severe DUI punishments. However, if you have our lawyer on your side who is dedicated and has represented cases like these in the past, you have a much better chance at retaining some degree of your freedom. While the laws differ by state, the penalties frequently include:

• License Suspension

If you were arrested for a DUI, then your license is likely to be suspended for a period of time. Even if you aren’t convicted in criminal court of a DUI, DMV (or related agency) may suspend your license if the test shows that you had a BAC of 0.08% or more. If you do get convicted of the DUI, the court may decide to impose a suspension in addition to the DMV license suspension. But, these suspensions may overlap, meaning that you may not have to serve two full license suspensions. These are the kinds of details that the average person isn’t aware of, but our lawyer with experience in DUI cases does.

• Serving Jail Time

Around half of the states in the U.S. impose mandatory jail sentences for first DUI convictions, and usually last from one day to a week. By having our lawyer represent your case, we can advocate on your behalf, try to reduce the time you spend in jail, or negotiate for other DUI consequences in place of jail time.

• Fines and Fees

In most states, a first time offense for a DUI will result in a few hundred dollars in fines. There are also other fees associated with the DUI charge that will increase the amount you must pay. For instance, a driver may have to pay court or license-reinstatement fees.

• Ignition Devices

Drivers who have been convicted of drinking and driving may be required to install an ignition interlock device onto their vehicles. This is similar to a breathalyzer that detects the percentage of alcohol in the body, and attaches to the vehicle ignition system. The car will not start until someone blows into the tube and has a breath reading free of alcohol presence.

• Rehabilitation/Treatment

Some DUI offenders are court-ordered to participate in substance abuse treatment or education. The offender may be required to partake in a substance abuse evaluation and then complete recommended programs or treatments.

• Insurance Rates

When you are convicted of a DWI/DUI, your insurance rates will likely increase. If your license is suspended, to get it back, you may also have to demonstrate that you can get liability insurance. Your auto insurer may drop your insurance, so you may have to shop around to find an insurance company that will offer auto insurance. It depends on your insurance company.

• DUI Convictions Remain on Your Record

If you are convicted for DWI/DUI, it will remain on your record when employers run background checks. It will probably remain on your driver’s license for the rest of your life. You can’t move to another state to get away from it. As a result, it is important to seek strong reputation from our experienced Salt Lake County DUI lawyer as soon as you possibly can. If there is any way to avoid conviction, our attorney will help you do so. If not, our attorney will work hard to make sure that potential consequences of conviction are as mitigated as they can be in your case.

• Further Consequences

The repercussions listed above may not be the entirety of the potential DUI consequences. We strongly advise speaking with our lawyer as soon as you are able to after your arrest. Here at Rasmussen & Miner, we can protect your best interests and see to it that you are treated fairly by the court of law.

Salt Lake City DUI Infographic

Salt Lake City DUI Statistics

According to statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, approximately 1.5 million people are arrested each year for driving under the influence. This comes out to 1 out of every 121 licensed drivers ending up having to defend themselves against drunk driving charges. Having our aggressive and experienced DUI defense attorney advocating for you is critical to fighting these charges.

Salt Lake City DUI FAQs

Being charged with a DUI can be an overwhelming experience. A lot is at stake in your future. Depending on the severity of your charges you could be facing large fines and a long prison sentence. Your job and family may be at risk. Your driving privileges may be revoked for a short time or forever.

Your case is not unusual to our skilled criminal defense team. While it may be your first DUI charge or first encounter with the criminal system, as a team of DUI lawyers, we do this every day. We can help you manage this difficult time and take your concerns off your shoulders.

What Are the Possible Penalties for DUI?

If you are facing a DUI in Utah, then it is important to understand and know the different penalties that are involved in these types of offenses. It will also make a difference as to whether or not this is your first, second or further repeat offense for DUI. If you are found guilty of DUI, then you most likely will have to spend a minimum of 2 days in jail. The maximum amount of time spent in jail for a first offense is 180 days. The fines involved with this first DUI offense are probably going to cost over 1,250$ along with a license suspension of at least 3 months. If you are facing a DUI and are in need of someone to help lower your offense penalties and fines, then you should contact our firm for assistance. We have dealt with numerous DUI cases and have the skills, experience, and knowledge to help you out with the charges you are facing. Contact us today for a consultation and let’s get your case going in the right direction.

What Are the Penalties for Second and Third DUI Offenses?

If you are facing a second, third or more offense in Utah, then our experienced lawyer will fill you in on even more details regarding this repeat offense. The possible fines that exist for 2nd and 3rd DUI offenses range from $1,50 – $3,000 and possibly higher. Your license will most likely be taken away for at least 2 years as well. You will also be required to install an IID or ignition interlock device for a significant amount of time. Speak with our lawyers today to look into all of the details of your case.

How Can I Shorten My Driver License Suspension?

Did you lose your license at the hearing before the Driver License Division?  This is another reason to consult with our knowledgeable DUI lawyers.  Many times it is possible, given your driving history and blood alcohol level, to have your driver license suspension time cut in half.  Call us today! There is a very good chance that we can use our experience as a criminal lawyer to reduce your penalties.

Do I Have Access to the Police Report?

You absolutely do, and should most definitely get a copy. It is well within your rights to request a copy of the police report.  The arresting officer’s report will contain the majority of evidence against you, including results of any field sobriety or chemical tests performed. Take the time to review this police report closely, and compare it to your notes of that night. Look for any inconsistencies between the two and bring them to the attention of our DUI attorney.

Will I Lose My License?

It’s common for the arresting officer to take your license if you are charged with DWI/DUI and give you a temporary license. You may need to appear at the Department of Motor Vehicles and request a hearing to keep your license. If you fail to meet the deadline, which could be as few as 10 business days from your DUI arrest, your license may be suspended. You can argue your case to the DMV to keep your license, but the decision is up to the administrative panel. Your case may depend on the circumstances of your arrest and any prior DUI convictions. If you have questions about this process or you have been issued a temporary license, please contact our Salt Lake County DUI attorney for clarification regarding your next steps. Missteps now can significantly impact your ability to remain legally licensed in the not so distant future.

If you refuse chemical testing, blood or urine testing or a breathalyzer test, your license will most likely be suspended for up to a year. This is even if your DUI/DWI charges are dropped or you are not convicted. Depending on the rules of the state in which you were arrested, this suspension could last up to 12 months.

To get your license back, you may need to go through a treatment program at your own expense. You have to complete the program to apply to get your license back, but there’s no guarantee. You may also be charged administrative fees to get your license bank. These fees are often based on the length of time you lose your license. Expect the fees to be $200 or more, but it depends on the state in which you were arrested. Many people aren’t aware that even if they aren’t convicted of a DUI, refusing certain kinds of alcohol testing can result in a loss of their license. If you’re worried that a test refusal could impact your license, please speak with our law firm for guidance.

Should I Plead Guilty?

A lot of people choose to plead guilty, but they may do so without realizing their case could have been defended. If you plead guilty you are opening yourself up to the possibility of large fines, jail time, license suspension, court fees, higher car insurance rates, negative impact on your job, and expensive DUI training classes.

In many cases the cost of a DUI defense is outweighed by the long-term costs of a conviction. The our team is ready to review your case for free and evaluate all of your options. Call us now to get started.

Rasmussen & Miner, Salt Lake City DUI Lawyer

1334 2nd Ave, Salt Lake City, UT 84103

Contact Our Salt Lake City DUI Lawyer today

At Rasmussen & Miner, we recognize the severe consequences of DUI charges in Utah. We bring a strong track record to the table, offering effective defense strategies for those facing criminal charges under the influence of alcohol.

Facing drunk driving charges can lead to a criminal record and require a license hearing, both of which demand the guidance of our experienced lawyer. Our approach is to provide the strongest defense possible by considering the specific circumstances of your case. We’ll help you handle the legal process, from challenging the evidence of physical control to advocating for your rights in court.

As your criminal defense lawyer, we are committed to mitigating the impact of these charges on your life. Trust in our ability to build a robust defense on your behalf. Call today to request a free consultation.

Client Review

“Had a great experience with Rasmussen & Miner. Robert did an excellent job working through a very complex accident process with numerous insurance companies and medical providers. Extremely happy with the level of professional and personal service and the ultimate outcome. Highly recommend Robert and the firm!!” Daemon