One Wrong Turn Doesn’t Have to Define Your Future.
Getting arrested for DUI in St. George can be overwhelming, but what you do next matters. Staying calm and knowing your rights can make a big difference in how your case plays out. A criminal defense lawyer in St. George can walk you through the next steps and help protect your rights from the start.
It’s also helpful to know the legal process after a DUI arrest in Utah. Whether you’re working with a DUI defense attorney in Cedar City or trying to figure things out on your own, knowing what to do next can help you get through the process more easily.
Quick Summary:
- DUI arrests in Utah happen through traffic stops or sobriety checkpoints. If signs of impairment are found, you may be arrested and tested. Penalties vary: first-time offenders face fines, license suspension, and possibly jail time, while repeat offenders face harsher penalties, including longer suspensions and mandatory programs.
- Stay calm and cooperate when arrested for a DUI. You have the right to remain silent, so don’t say anything that could hurt your case. Keep all documents and request a hearing within 10 days to challenge your license suspension. A DUI defense attorney can help protect your rights and potentially reduce or dismiss the charges.
- After a DUI arrest, you’ll go through booking, which includes taking your photo and fingerprints. Bail may be set, but restrictions like installing a breathalyzer could apply. At your first court hearing, you’ll plead guilty, not guilty, or no contest, and the judge may reduce charges. Bring all important documents like test results and arrest records.
How DUI Arrests Happen?
In Utah, police usually make DUI arrests in two ways: during a traffic stop or at a sobriety checkpoint.
- Traffic Stops: If an officer sees you driving dangerously—like swerving, speeding, or braking suddenly—they may pull you over to check for signs of impairment.
- Sobriety Checkpoints: Police sometimes set up checkpoints where every driver is briefly stopped. These are random but must follow strict rules to stay fair and legal.
Signs That You Might Be Impaired
When you’re stopped, the officer will look for signs that you might be drunk or on drugs. These might include:
- Slurred or unclear speech
- Bloodshot or watery eyes
- The smell of alcohol on your breath
- Confused behavior or unsteady movement
If the officer notices these signs, they might ask you to do some simple tests, like walking in a straight line. If you don’t pass, they might ask you to take a breath test or a blood test to check how much alcohol is in your system.
When the Officer Can Arrest You?
For an officer to arrest you, they need to have a good reason to believe you’re impaired. This could happen if:
- You fail field sobriety tests
- A breath or blood test shows alcohol or drugs in your system
Refusing a chemical test can also lead to an immediate license suspension under Utah’s implied consent laws. Once there’s enough evidence, the officer can arrest you and that’s when the legal process begins.
What to Do After a DUI Arrest in Utah?
Getting arrested for DUI can be scary, but knowing what to do next can help you handle the situation better. Here’s what you need to do right away:
Stay Calm and Follow the Instructions
When you’re arrested, it’s key to stay calm. Just cooperate with the police and follow their instructions. Try not to argue or make things more complicated than they already are. You’ll need to provide your basic information, like your name and address, but you don’t have to say anything else that might get you into trouble. You also have the right to stay quiet if you don’t want to answer more questions.
Keep All Important Papers Safe
After your arrest, hold on to all the papers the police give you, like your citation and breath test records. If you can, jot down what happened while it’s still fresh in your mind. This will help you or your lawyer later on.
Know About Your License Suspension
After a DUI arrest, the police may take your driver’s license. You’ll be given a temporary permit to drive for a little while, usually about 29 days. In Utah, you have 10 days to ask for a hearing if you want to try to fight the suspension of your license. This is an important deadline, so don’t miss it! If you miss the 10 days, it will be harder to get your license back.
Hire a DUI Defense Lawyer
A DUI defense lawyer can help you recognize the charges and guide you through the whole process. They’ll know how to work on your defense and might even help get the charges reduced or dropped. Having someone familiar with Utah’s DUI laws on your side can make the process easier to handle.
What to Expect After the Arrest in Utah
A DUI arrest in Utah can be overwhelming, but knowing what to expect can help you stay calm and prepared for what’s ahead. Here’s what you can expect:
Booking Process
When you’re arrested, you’ll be taken to the police station for booking. This just means they’ll take your name, get your fingerprints, and take a photo of you (a mugshot). While it may feel intimidating, it’s a standard part of the process. After booking, you’ll either be able to post bail or stay in jail until your first court hearing.
Bail and Release Options
Bail allows you to pay for your release while you wait for your court date. If you pay it, you promise to attend your court hearing. If the bail is too high or you don’t pay, you may need to stay in jail until your hearing. The court may also set conditions for your release, such as staying away from alcohol or completing an alcohol education class.
Restrictions After Release
Even with a temporary license, there might be rules about when and where you can drive. For example, you might need to install a breathalyzer in your car that checks if you’ve been drinking before you can start it. There might also be limits on when and where you can drive.
Getting Ready for Your First Court Hearing
Your first court hearing is important. It’s where you’ll begin to figure out what happens next. Here’s what you need to know to prepare.
What Happens at the First Hearing
Your first hearing, called an arraignment, usually happens a few weeks after your arrest. During this hearing, you’ll enter a plea of guilty, not guilty, or no contest. If you don’t show up, it could lead to more trouble.
If you plead guilty, the judge will decide what happens next, and that could mean fines, classes, or jail time. If you plead not guilty, the judge will schedule another hearing, and they may reduce your charges or offer alternatives like community service or alcohol classes.
What Documents You Need to Bring
Make sure to bring all the paperwork related to your DUI arrest. This might include the ticket you got, test results from the police, or any other papers from your arrest. Having everything ready will help your lawyer and the judge acknowledge your situation.
What are the DUI Penalties in Utah
If you’re caught driving under the influence (DUI) in Utah, you could face some serious consequences. The punishment depends on whether it’s your first time or if you’ve been arrested before for a DUI. Here’s a breakdown of what could happen:
First-Time Offenders vs. Repeat Offenders
The penalties for a DUI in Utah are different for first-time offenders and repeat offenders. Let’s break down how the consequences change depending on your situation.
- First-Time Offenders: If it’s your first DUI, you might face fines, a temporary suspension of your driver’s license (usually about 120 days), and be required to take classes to gain knowledge about the dangers of drinking and driving. You could also be asked to install an ignition interlock device in your car, which checks if you’ve been drinking before starting your car. Jail time is unlikely for a first offense, but it’s possible in some cases.
- Repeat Offenders: If you’ve been arrested for a DUI more than once, the consequences get much worse. You could face longer license suspensions (up to 2 years), higher fines, and longer periods with the ignition interlock device in your car. You may also have to attend alcohol treatment programs. If you’ve been arrested for a DUI before, you might even spend time in jail.
Fines, License Suspension, and Jail Time
After a DUI conviction, you could face fines, have your driver’s license taken away, or even spend time in jail. The severity of these consequences depends on factors like how many DUIs you’ve had before and the specifics of your case. Here’s what you need to know about these penalties.
- Fines: First-time offenders usually pay less, but repeat offenders could pay a lot more. Fines are meant to punish you and stop you from drinking and driving again.
- License Suspension: If it’s your first DUI, you might lose your license for about 4 months. If you’ve had previous DUIs, your license could be suspended for a longer time, sometimes up to 2 years. You might be able to drive with a restricted license in some cases, but only for things like going to work or school.
- Jail Time: Jail time is usually not a part of a first-time DUI, but repeat offenders could spend time behind bars. Jail sentences could range from a few days to several months, depending on the situation. If someone got hurt because of your DUI, you might face more serious penalties, including jail time.
The penalties for a DUI in Utah can be pretty tough, especially if you’ve been arrested for one before. It’s important to know what the consequences could be so you can make the right choices. If you’re in this situation, talking to a DUI defense attorney in Cedar City Utah might help you get through the legal process.
Facing DUI Charges? Call Our Criminal Defense Lawyer St. George Today!
A DUI charge in St. George can feel overwhelming and confusing. can feel really overwhelming and confusing. The first few hours and days after the arrest are important, and the choices you make during this time can affect what happens next in your case. You might be feeling anxious about what to do, but you’re not alone in this.
At Boyack Christiansen Legal Solutions, we’ve got experienced lawyers who know criminal defense inside and out in St. George and Cedar City. We know how serious DUI charges are, and we’re here to help guide you and fight for your rights from the very beginning. We also offer legal help for other criminal cases and personal injury issues.
If you’ve been arrested for a DUI in St. George, don’t wait to get help. Reach out to Boyack Christiansen Legal Solutions right away for a consultation. Our experienced lawyers will help you take the right steps and start building a strong defense.
