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Can I be pulled over for driving under the speed limit in Utah?

Most commonly, police officers stop people for driving OVER the speed limit.  But under some circumstances, Utah law allows a police officer to pull you over for driving under the speed limit.  If you have been stopped by a police officer, an experienced Utah criminal defense lawyer can help you determine whether your Fourth Amendment rights may have been violated.

Driving under the speed limit, by itself, is not a crime.  To justify stopping a driver for going under the speed limit, the officer must be able to articulate some other facts or conditions that create a reasonable suspicion of a crime.  If you are driving so slowly that you are obstructing traffic, that by can be considered a traffic offense.  If home break-ins or vehicle burglaries have been reported in the area, an officer may have reason to stop a suspicious vehicle.  But police officers sometimes use a slow-moving vehicle as a pretext for investigating other crimes.

More serious charges may arise depending on what police officers observe after they make the traffic stop.  If an officer observes drug paraphernalia or an open container of alcohol, smells alcohol on the driver's breath, or notices bloodshot eyes or other indicators that a person may be under the influence of a controlled substance, an officer may decide to investigate further by conducting field sobriety tests or searching for drugs.  If evidence of burglary tools or stolen property is observed, that may sometimes contribute to a determination of reasonable articulable suspicion or probable cause to search further.

If you have been pulled over for driving under the speed limit in Utah, you should consult with an experienced criminal defense attorney to determine the best way to defend your case.  A motion to suppress for Fourth Amendment violations may be appropriate.

Based in Salt Lake City, Stephen Howard offers legal services to clients throughout Utah.  Contact us today to schedule an initial consultation and case analysis with our Salt Lake criminal defense attorney.


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  • Criminal Appeals Defense AttorneyDismissed on Appeal - DUI case was dismissed after a successful appeal where the Utah Court of Appeals reversed the trial court's denial of the defense motion to suppress. Without the suppressed evidence, the prosecutor acknowledged that they did not have sufficient evidence to proceed to trial and the case was dismissed.
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Serving Salt Lake, Davis, Weber, Utah, Cache, Tooele, Summit, Box Elder, and Wasatch Counties, and all of Utah.

Attorney Stephen Howard practices as part of the Canyons Law Group, LLC and Stephen W. Howard, PC.

Offices in Salt Lake and Davis Counties
560 South 300 East, Suite 200, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
952 S. Main St., Suite A, Layton, UT 84041

Call now to arrange for a confidential initial consultation with an experienced and effective Utah criminal defense lawyer.

In Salt Lake City, call 801-449-1409.
In Davis County, call 801-923-4345.

Stephen W. Howard, PC

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