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Criminal Defense Attorney Stephen Howard
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Can I defend a Utah DUI charge by pleading no contest?

Some people mistakenly believe that pleading no contest (or "nolo contendere") will somehow support their claim of innocense when facing a DUI charge in Utah.  Pleading no contest to a DUI charge in Utah has almost exactly the same effect as pleading guilty, and can result in consequences and sentencing just as severe as if you had pled guilty.

There are a few limited circumstances in which a no contest plea will be to your advantage in a Utah DUI case.  But these circumstances are typically limited to situations in which there may be civil litigation pending relating to injuries or damages alleged to have been caused as a result of the drunk driving.  Under these circumstances, a no contest plea typically cannot be used against you in the civil case, whereas a guilty plea could be considered as an admition of relevant facts pertaining to the civil case.

Unless you are facing both a civil lawsuit and a criminal prosecution, a no contest plea is often just another way to get convicted.  If you believe that you are innocent or have grounds to fight your DUI charge in Utah, you should consult with an experienced criminal defense attorney before making any plea or accepting any plea offer from a prosecutor.

Stephen Howard is an experienced criminal defense lawyer based in Salt Lake City and practicing throughout Utah.  He has handled thousands of criminal defense cases - more than most Utah attorneys will see in their entire careers.  Contact us now to schedule an initial consultation.



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  • Utah Expungement Attorney Salt Lake Davis Expunged - Client with prior conviction for violent felony was ineligible for expungement through the courts. A successful 2-step reduction restored expungement eligibility and ultimately led to the court's decision to grant the requested expungement.
  • Utah Burglary Defense Attorney Not Guilty - Client was charged with second-degree felony residential burglary and facing potential prison time. Investigation by the defense revealed multiple witnesses, missed by police and prosecutors, who supported client's claim of innocence. At trial, the jury returned a "not guilty" verdict on all charges.
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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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