Hundreds of people every month in Utah are charged with a DUI. Some are charged with a traditional alcohol related DUI others face a drug related DUI charges. For anyone facing these types of charges, understanding a few basic legal principles can help you successfully fight a DUI charge in Utah. The principles discussed below apply to any DUI charge anywhere in the state of Utah. If you have any specific questions or would like to have a Utah DUI Attorney at Salcido Law Firm review the facts of your case, give us a call today, we would love to help.
- Just Say No to Field Sobriety Tests: If you are pulled over and suspected of a DUI, one of the first things a police officer or trooper will do is to have you exit the vehicle and perform standard field sobriety tests. Such tests most often include a one legged stand, a walk the line, and a follow my finger test. What many individuals do not know is they are not required to take any field sobriety test. Moreover, you will not have your license suspended or any negative action taken against you for refusing field sobriety tests in Utah. The field sobriety tests can be difficult for even sober people to perform. In our opinion, whether you have been drinking or not, it is a good idea to decline taking the field sobriety tests. Do not be intimidated by the police. They cannot compel you to perform these tests and any threats they may make against should be ignored.
- Say Yes to Chemical Tests: Unlike field sobriety tests, refusing to submit to any chemical test whether that be a breath, blood, or urine test can result in the suspension of your driver’s license. Keep in mind, you can refuse to take a chemical test, however, the drivers license division can suspend your license based solely on the refusal. Even if your DUI charge is later dismissed, you may still be stuck with a suspended drivers license for several months.
- Hire A DUI Attorney: Yes, it can make a big difference in your case if you have a good DUI attorney on board. You should consider hiring a lawyer as soon as possible to help give you the best chance of fighting the charges and getting back to life as normal. While no attorney can give you a guarantee on outcome, and any who does should be avoided, statistics show client’s who have representation have better outcomes on average. It’s easy to see why this would be the case. A lawyer who specializes in drunk driving charges may see several defenses in the evidence that you were not aware of.
- Understand the Court Process: Understanding how the court process in Utah works is key. If you have never been charged with a crime, a Salt Lake Criminal Defense Lawyer at Salcido Law Firm can walk you through the process of the defending the charges against you. At our firm, we try to provide our clients with as much information as possible through each step of their case so they understand what we may need from them along the way to most effectively represent them.
- Understand Any Plea Agreement Terms: Before you agree to any plea agreement, make sure you understand all of the terms and know exactly what you are getting yourself into. A common overlooked issue is the potential of an ignition interlock. An interlock device is the contraption you may be required to install in your car, requiring you to blow into it and register no alcohol before the car can start. If you have a blood alcohol content that reaches a certain level, you may be required by the state to install such a device, whether or not the judge actually ordered it. Beware of these types of pit falls. Never sign or agree to any plea agreement without first reviewing it with a lawyer and making sure you understand all of your responsibilities.
We Fight, We Win
Don’t take on the daunting task of fighting your DUI on your own. Call us today to take the burden on for you. We fight aggressively in our client’s defense and we fight to win, not to just get the client in and our of the system. Sit down with a Utah DUI Defense Lawyer in our office today, we would like to discuss your options. We offer payment plans in some cases and free consultations so there really is no reason to get us started on your defense as soon as possible.
