Northern Utah DUI Charges
In most criminal justice scenario a person is charged or convicted of a crime because of an actually harm that has occurred as a result of the person’s actions. The law enforcement officials start with the harm and work backwards to the actor, the prosecutors use the evidence collected to show that the person did in fact create the harm and all the elements of the crime were present. This normal routine however is not followed in the scenario of drunk driving. If a person has been driving drunk then they can be charged for driving under the influence (DUI) without ever having caused harm. The DUI laws are set up for the same reasons as other criminal offenses, to protect the general public; but the social concern about people driving intoxicated is so great that the justice system allows for people to be prosecuted even though they haven’t created any harm.
DUI Defense
With the severe penalties and stiff statutory definition of DUI offenses, defending drunk driving charges can be very difficult. Obviously the best defense is planning ahead and not driving drunk, but if you are already past that then the best thing you can do is hire an attorney. The legal limit in Utah is a blood alcohol level (BAC) of .08 grams, and this is usually determined by a breathalyzer test. With the help of an attorney you can determine the weak points in the prosecutor’s arguments and expose the State’s case as lacking sufficient evidence. Depending on whether or not this is a first Utah DUI offense, an attorney can usually obtain a plea agreement from a prosecution reducing the charges or having them dismissed.
Call a Criminal Defense Attorney Today
If you or a loved one has been charged with a DUI then call our attorneys today. The penalties associated with a DUI are severe and can produce very detrimental results in your future. Our attorneys understand what is at stake for you and will make sure your interests are protected. Call 801.823.1200 or email us today to set up a free consultation. We can help you understand the legal process and what your best options are.
