In Utah, being charged with a DUI can result in serious criminal penalties. In certain situations, the penalties for a felony DUI in Utah can even exceed those of possessing a pound of heroin. You could face thousands of dollars in fines, get your license suspended, lose your job — or worse. If you are facing DUI charges, you need an experienced criminal defense attorney or DUI lawyer in Utah who will fight to make sure you are treated fairly – a lawyer who will aggressively defend your rights.
Don’t plead guilty to a felony DUI charge, especially if this is your first charge in Utah. It’s important to have all of the facts about your rights, the laws and what steps you need to take to have a successful day in court.
Here at Branson West Law, we have the skills and tools necessary to prepare you for your hearing and make sure your charges are lessened or dropped altogether. Don’t let one mistake ruin your life. Learn more about DUIs in Utah to better understand what you’re up against.
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While being charged with a DUI in Utah is a very serious issue, there are key differences in what kind of DUI you may be charged with. You can be charged with a felony DUI or a misdemeanor DUI, both very different from one another. And make no mistake, these differences can greatly impact the penalties you receive as well as how your case will be handled in court.
Most first-time DUI offenses will be misdemeanors. A misdemeanor is less serious than a felony and can be punished with a jail term of up to 364 days, a monetary fine, or both.
There are three categories of misdemeanors:
After misdemeanors comes felonies. Felonies are much more serious and are typically charges seen in repeat offenders or in cases of extreme circumstances. Felonies are major crimes that can be punished with imprisonment, a fine, or both.
There are four categories of felonies:
When it comes to Misdemeanor DUIs, you can be charged with any of the three classes of misdemeanors. Most commonly, people are charged with Class A and B Misdemeanor DUIs.
For a person to be charged with a Misdemeanor DUI, not only must they be under the influence of drugs or alcohol while driving, but also they must have any of the following:
When it comes to Felony DUIs, it can get a bit more complicated. For a person to be charged with a Felony DUI, not only must they be under the influence of drugs or alcohol while driving, but also they must have any of the following:
It is uncommon for a felony DUI to be considered a capital offense or even a first degree felony. Most felony DUIs will be classified as third degree felonies.
It’s important to note the penalties you can face when being charged with a misdemeanor or felony DUI. First time offenders face much lighter penalties than repeat offenders. The penalties can vary from case to case, but the severity of being charged with a DUI is heavy.
Remember, the possible consequences for first-time offenders are light compared to those for repeat offenders. Fines and jail sentences increase with second and third offenses.
Utah Felony DUI Penalties include:
Being Charged with a Felony DUI in Utah isn’t the end of the world. It may feel like a Felony DUI charge will ruin your life, but the only real way to ensure that it doesn’t is to seek out Branson West Law, the top Utah DUI lawyer that has fought over 5,000 DUI cases. As an expert DUI attorney, Branson West Law can help you build a strong felony DUI defense to fight your case. Your future doesn't have to seem so grim if you have Branson West Law on your side.
With a solid defense, you can avoid jail time, reduce fines and keep your license. Don't let one small mistake ruin your life — contact Branson West Law for a free consultation.