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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