After being convicted of a DUI in Utah, you are likely to lose your license temporarily. However, our lawyers may be able to find solutions that enable you to keep your license while complying with the court’s orders.
Your driver’s license could be suspended after a DUI conviction in Utah. A 120-day license suspension is part of most DUI sentences, even when defendants avoid jail time. That said, we may petition you to have an ignition interlock device installed in your vehicle for 120 days. This would require you to give a breath sample before turning on your car and driving it, but it would allow you to keep your driver’s license. Unfortunately, losing your license might be the least of your worries, even after a first-time DUI conviction. Defendants could also face six months in jail or more, depending on their criminal records, and our lawyers can help ensure this does not happen to you when preparing your defense against DUI charges in Utah.
Call Overson Law’s Utah DUI defense lawyers at (801) 758-2287 for a free and confidential case review today.
Does Utah Suspend Driver’s Licenses After DUI Arrests or Convictions?
Generally speaking, a convicted defendant’s driver’s license will be suspended for 120 days following their first DUI conviction in Utah. If they are convicted a second time, their license might be suspended for two years. Knowing how you might be restricted after your case ends is important, particularly if your family relies on you for transportation.
Utah imposes an automatic license suspension for 45 days following a DUI arrest, even without a conviction. To potentially prevent this from happening, our lawyers can help you request a hearing with the Driver’s License Division within 10 days of your arrest by completing a specific form. Our lawyers can help you get ready for this hearing and prepare arguments as to why your driver’s license should not be automatically suspended before being tried for a DUI, like needing to transport your children to and from school or get yourself to work on time so you can support your family.
If you are 21 or older at the time of your arrest, the court might suspend your license for two months after your first conviction for a DUI, according to Utah Code § 41-6a-509(1)(a).
Utah approaches suspending driver’s licenses for minors arrested for drunk driving differently, and our lawyers can explain how your license could be impacted based on your age at the time of arrest. Suspending a convicted defendant’s driver’s license is one of the first consequences judges employ, particularly if they do not impose jail sentences.
Can You Keep Your Driver’s License After a DUI Conviction in Utah?
Following a conviction for driving under the influence, keeping one’s license, or reducing the time one is without it is important. Even when our lawyers can negotiate a sentence that does not include jail time, losing your license could add serious inconveniences to your life, and we may be able to find another solution that pleases the court.
For example, our DUI defense lawyers may petition the Driver’s License Division to allow you to become an ignition interlock-restricted driver, according to § 53-3-223(10). Ignition interlock devices require drivers to give a breath sample to assess their alcohol use before their vehicles turn on. The ignition interlock device will likely be in your vehicle for the same period your driver’s license would have been suspended upon a first conviction, 120 days.
If a convicted defendant does not complete the 120 days with their ignition interlock device, the court may suspend their license for a new 120-day period under § 41-6a-509(1)(b).
Our lawyers may be able to convince the court to shorten the driver’s license revocation period after showing that you have completed a 24-7 sobriety program or have completed specific court programs while also electing to have an ignition interlock device in their vehicles for the remaining suspension period, which would allow them to drive themselves to and from court appearances, work, and other commitments.
DUI Consequences Other Than Driver’s License Suspension in Utah
Losing your license for a couple of months could be the least of your concerns when approaching a DUI case in Utah. After an arrest, our lawyers can immediately start working on your defense so that you avoid lengthy jail sentences and other harsh consequences.
A first DUI conviction is a class B misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail. Without our attorneys by their sides, those with DUI charges could face the maximum sentence, which could temporarily derail their lives. Going to jail for even six months could cause you to lose your job or home and put a strain on all your relationships. Our attorneys will take your freedom seriously while preparing your defense and potentially negotiating a lesser sentence with the prosecution or alternative consequences.
For example, after being convicted of a DUI, our lawyers might petition the court to forego jail time for involvement in an alcohol management course. Driver’s license suspension is typically automatic after convictions. Still, we can discuss whether you would rather have an ignition interlock device in your vehicle to keep your license after your conviction and gauge whether that request might be granted based on your blood alcohol content at the time of arrest and if you allegedly caused bodily harm or an accident while drunk driving.
In Utah, courts can impose up to $1,000 in fines on anyone convicted of a first-time DUI, and these penalties increase with each additional conviction. At the start of your case, we can explain the potential consequences you face so you can appreciate the significance of prioritizing your defense.
Call Our Criminal Defense Attorneys in Utah for Help Today
Call the Utah DUI defense lawyers of Overson Law at (801) 758-2287 for a free case assessment.
