If you find yourself imprisoned due to alleged charges of driving under the influence (DUI), you may be concerned about the amount of money you may need to be released from jail. Individuals that are arrested for DUI may have to pay hundreds of dollars in bail to assure their release from jail, which is just the start of a very expensive criminal offense. If you or a family member was arrested for a DUI offense, consult with an experienced Salt Lake City DUI defense lawyer today. At Overson & Bugden, we recognize how a DUI offense can impact a person’s life, and we are here to offer our legal services to assist with your case. Our firm is here to explain the amount of DUI bail that can a defendant may owe after an arrest in Utah.
Utah Bail Laws
Bail is a specific amount of money determined by the court that must be paid by an individual charged with a crime if they wish to be released from jail. There are a number of factors that are considered when setting bail for an alleged offender:
- The criminal history of an offender (e.g., multiple offenses)
- Whether the alleged offender is employed
- The likelihood of the offender bail-jumping or failing to attend required court hearings
- Whether the alleged offender is a danger to an alleged victim or the community at large (e.g., domestic abuse case or repeat offender)
- The alleged offender committed a felony that violated probation or parole
This is not an exhaustive list. An individual could be denied bail for any of the above reasons provided the court has evidence to support their decision. Evidence to deny bail can come in a variety of forms. For example, the court may look to probable cause statements made by law enforcement or other court records.
It is important to note that bail can be revoked in certain circumstances. This means an individual will be returned to prison for violating the conditions of their bail, and a higher amount of bail could be issued. For example, committing a crime while released on bail can result in bail being revoked. In some cases, a new bail amount may not be set at all. Utah also employs bail enforcement agents to ensure that an individual satisfies the conditions of their bail.
To learn more about the costs of bail in Utah, continue reading and speak with an experienced Salt Lake City criminal defense lawyer.
How to Pay Bail for a DUI in Salt Lake City, Utah
To pay for bail after being arrested, an alleged offender has multiple options when deciding how to pay. Specifically, an offender could personally pay their bail or seek the services of a bail bondsman or an experienced attorney. If an individual cannot afford to pay bail because it must be paid in cash or because the payment owed is too high to be paid at once, an experienced attorney can help.
An attorney may petition the court for a reduction in bail amount or may help a client obtain a bail bond. Individuals that choose to retain a lawyer may be issued a bail bond as a Utah bail bondsman may believe they are less of a flight risk and will attend all of their required hearings.
The amount of money owed for a DUI offense depends on the circumstances of an individual’s case. In Utah, DUI can be graded as a misdemeanor or a felony, which can affect the amount owed for a bail payment. For example, first-time DUI offenders typically face a class B misdemeanor. In Utah, the bail for a class B misdemeanor is set at $680.
If an individual is considered a third-time DUI offender, their offense will be graded as a class A misdemeanor. Class A misdemeanors carry an exorbitant bail payment of $1,950. In certain cases, a DUI offense can be graded as a third degree felony in Salt Lake City. In Utah, the bail for third degree felonies is set at $5,000.
Note, however, that bail payments can vary depending on the type of offense charged against an individual. This means that a bail payment could be decreased or increased depending on the suggested Utah bail guidelines.
There are also multiple payment options for bail. For example, an alleged offender could pay cash or use their credit or debit card. Additionally, an individual may have to use a surety to secure bail in other cases. A surety is a Utah resident that owns real or personal property, and that will take responsibility for a defendant’s actions as a condition of bail. If you are having issues posting bail, you should consult with an experienced attorney as soon as possible to review your options.
Our Experienced Salt Lake City DUI Bail Attorney is Ready to Work with You
If you or a family member require assistance posting bail for a DUI offense, contact an experienced Murray criminal defense attorney today. Criminal defense attorney Darwin Overson is prepared to offer you the legal representation that you deserve to fight your criminal case. To schedule a free case evaluation, contact Overson & Bugden at (801) 758-2287, or contact us online.
