Best DUI Lawyers in West Valley City, UT

FAQs

• What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in West Valley City, Utah?

  The West Valley City police station can be reached at 801-840-4000, which serves as the non-emergency contact number for the station.

• Where can I get a copy of police reports for incidents related to my case in West Valley City, Utah?

  If you're looking to obtain a copy of a police report in West Valley City, you'll need to fill out the Online GRAMA Request form available on the West Valley City Police website. You can then submit the form either in person or by mail to the West Valley City Recorder's Office, attention Nichole Camac, located at 3600 S. Constitution Blvd., West Valley City, UT 84119.

• What constitutes being under the influence of alcohol or drugs in West Valley City?

  In West Valley City, an individual is deemed intoxicated if their blood alcohol level reaches or exceeds 0.05% or if the use of alcohol, drugs, or a mix of both substances compromises their ability to control a vehicle. Notably, this threshold is more stringent than the typical 0.08% BAC limit enforced in the majority of other states.

• What method do officers in West Valley City use to assess potential driver impairment?

  In West Valley City, law enforcement officers utilize on-site evaluations, often referred to as Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFST), to assess potential driver impairment. The purpose of these tests is to measure an individual's equilibrium, coordination, and capacity to multitask. Beyond the specific test outcomes, officers also observe additional indicators of intoxication, including demeanor, red eyes, and unclear speech, which may suggest the influence of drugs or alcohol.

• What are the two charges related to drinking and driving in West Valley City?

  In West Valley City, two offenses pertain to alcohol consumption and driving: "Impaired Driving" and "Driving Under the Influence." Consequences for impaired driving convictions tend to be less harsh than those associated with DUIs. As part of a plea agreement, a prosecutor might permit a defendant to enter a plea for an impaired driving offense rather than the original DUI charge.

• How do authorities in West Valley City identify motorists potentially driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol?

  In West Valley City, law enforcement officials utilize surprise and short-term sobriety control points to identify and detain motorists driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Utah police officers carefully and strategically select the sites for these control points to effectively address impaired driving. The likelihood of coming across these checkpoints is particularly heightened during holidays when celebrations often involve alcohol consumption.

• What is West Valley City's law on driving while under the influence of marijuana?

  In West Valley City, driving a vehicle with even the slightest presence of marijuana in one's body is prohibited by law. Demonstrating actual impairment is not a requirement for this violation. As such, the prosecuting attorney isn't obligated to present evidence of the driver's compromised capacity for safely operating the automobile. This regulation stems from the fact that marijuana byproducts can be present in an individual's system for up to a month following consumption.

• What does a DUI charge involve?

  DUI, or driving under the influence, is a criminal charge applied to someone who is suspected of operating their vehicle while under the influence of an intoxicant, such as drugs and/or alcohol. Every state in the U.S. has a law on the books that bans driving while intoxicated; however, the specific criteria may differ from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. In some states, a driver with blood alcohol content (BAC) in excess of 0.08% can be brought up on DUI charges while other states set a higher threshold or increase the severity of charges in accordance with the level of intoxication. In some cases, DUI is determined not via testing but by behavior; drivers who are intoxicated to the point of impairment and who cannot safely operate their vehicle may be arrested on suspicion of DUI.

• What's the difference between DUI, DWI, and OVI?

  The terms driving under the influence (DUI), driving while impaired (DWI), and operating a vehicle under the influence (OVI) are all legal phrases that refer to the crime of operating a vehicle while impaired by drugs (illegal or prescription), alcohol, or both. These terms are largely interchangeable though some states use only one acronym in their statutes for the sake of clarity. There are also other acronyms occasionally substituted for DUI, such as DWAI (driving while ability impaired), OWI (operating while intoxicated), OUI (operating under the influence), and DUII-CS (driving under the influence of intoxicants: controlled substances).

• How long does a DUI stay on your record?

  In addition to the more immediate penalties that come with a DUI conviction, this costly mistake can have other consequences. DUIs stay on your driving record for years with the exact length of time differing from state to state — the California Department of Motor Vehicles, for instance, tracks DUIs for 10 years and may use that information to determine things like license eligibility. In Alabama, DUIs stay on the record for five years while in Alaska they're permanent. In states that use point systems to track driving infractions, DUI points may stay on the record far longer than the DUI itself.

• How much does a DUI lawyer cost?

  The cost of a DUI lawyer depends largely on three things: geographic area, the lawyer's experience, and whether the case is settled quickly with a plea or ends up going to trial. Attorneys may charge a flat rate, more commonly used for simple cases that are likely to wrap up quickly, or they may charge by the hour, which can add up quickly if the case requires a lot of pretrial preparations and court time. Ultimately, a DUI lawyer could cost as little as $700 or bill in excess of $4,000.

• How do I choose a DUI attorney?

  Finding the right DUI lawyer is crucial, especially when it comes to preventing a suspended license and minimizing fees and other penalties. To choose the right one:

  • Look for attorneys experienced in DUI case law
  • Ask for referrals from family and friends
  • Check the internet for reviews, keeping in mind that no two DUI cases are exactly alike
  • Meet with prospective lawyers (many offer free consultations) to hear their perspective on the case and see whether their personality feels like a good fit
  • Ask whether the lawyer will be the primary representative or if the case could be passed to an associate and how many clients the lawyer/firm represents at one time
  • Discuss billing options — the difference between an hourly rate and flat fee can be considerable

• What happens when you get a DUI?

  Individuals detained on suspicion of a DUI are typically taken to jail, their vehicles impounded, and either held on bail or processed and released pending a court date. That initial court appearance is a chance to enter a plea; it's a good idea to retain legal representation prior to this hearing so they have an opportunity to argue for reduced charges or even dismissal.

  Drunk driving charges are often enough to warrant a suspended license pending the outcome of the case. A DUI conviction could mean losing that license entirely as well as paying fines, court costs, and DMV fees and paying for treatment or other intervention programs as instructed by the court — perhaps even completing jail time. These penalties tend to be less severe for first-time offenders and increase significantly thereafter.

• Can I contest a DUI without a lawyer?

  While it's possible to contest a DUI without a lawyer present, case law is complex, and navigating those laws can be tricky. A DUI lawyer can't guarantee a positive outcome, but they are in a far better position to make crucial moves, such as challenging the legality of the original traffic stop, questioning the officer-led sobriety tests, and introducing evidence that could lead to an exoneration. In short, it's tempting to save money by going it alone, but the consequences could be costly. Before deciding against a lawyer, take advantage of a free consultation and weigh their recommendations. If budget is a factor, there are court-appointed public defenders who may take on the case.

• How much does a DUI cost?

  DUIs are expensive. In addition to attorney fees that often run the gamut from $700 to over $4,000, there may also be bail costs, court-ordered fines, alcohol education courses, traffic school, DMV fees, the cost of increased insurance rate, fees associated with recovering an impounded car, and the possibility of paying for a court-ordered ignition interlock device. All together, the average cost of a DUI sits at around $6,500 not counting peripheral expenses, such as alternate transportation while unable to drive and lost income due to court dates and incarceration.

• When does a DUI become a felony?

  Driving under the influence is classified as a misdemeanor unless the DUI meets certain state-specific criteria such as:

  • It's not the first offense. Anyone arrested for DUI who has been convicted of driving under the influence previously may be charged with a felony, depending on the length of time since the last conviction.
  • The offender was driving without a license. Getting a DUI with a license that has been suspended, revoked, or restricted is a felony in many states.
  • The DUI resulted in someone else's injury or death. Some states cite bodily harm as one of the reasons to change a DUI from a misdemeanor to a felony.

• How much does car insurance go up after a DUI?

  Since car insurance rates are based on driving history and projected risk, it stands to reason that a DUI conviction will result in higher insurance rates. How much those rates go up depends on the state. In Colorado, insurance rates jump around 18% following a DUI conviction while North Carolina sees a median rate increase of more than 300%. To put that in further perspective, consider New Jersey; the state's average insurance rate is $1,419, but the average rate with DUI increases 132% to $3,292.