Salt Lake Criminal Defense Attorney Utah
Criminal Defense Attorney Stephen Howard
Call Criminal Defense Attorney in Utah
Call Utah Criminal Lawyer
Experienced Criminal Defense Lawyers / Former Prosecutors
Call 801-449-1409 now to see what the right attorney can do for you.
Utah Criminal Defense Lawyer Salt Lake City

Criminal Defense Solutions Start HereSM

Finding a Felony Defense LawyerChoosing a Misdemeanor Defense LawyerDrug and Alcohol Crimes Defense LawyerWhite Collar Defense Attorney for Utah ChargesAttorney for Expungements Reductions and PardonsDefendant Constitutional Rights Criminal LawyerBail and Bond Alternatives in UtahReasons for Hope Facing Criminal Charges

Sandy Drunk Driving / DUI Defense Attorney Utah

A conviction for DUI in the Sandy City Justice Court can result in jail time, substantial fines, and other serious consequences. Driving under the influence, driving with a measurable controlled substance metabolite, open container, and impaired driving are all serious criminal charges under Utah law. If you are facing prosecution for DUI or related criminal charges in the Sandy Justice Court, it is vital to have an experienced DUI and criminal defense lawyer on your side. Contact us to arrange for an initial confidential attorney consultation.

DUI Defense Strategy in the Sandy City Justice Court

Utah Drunk Driving AttorneyDefending DUI charges requires a thorough understanding of constitutional principles, procedural rules, rules of evidence, and Utah's substantive DUI laws. The validity of testing procedures, constitutional violations, actual physical control, and other important legal issues can play a role in the successful defense of a DUI charge in the Sandy Justice Court.

The strategy for defending a DUI charge can involve filing a motion to suppress evidence obtained in violation of the Fourth Amendment or Fifth Amendment. Some cases may involve factual disputes that are best resolved through jury trial. In other cases, the best result will be obtained by reaching a negotiated resolution to the case.

Sandy DUI Cases - Alcohol and Drugs

DUI cases in the Sandy Justice Court can involve alcohol, illegal drugs, and even prescription medications that have been legitimately prescribed and used. In addition to the stereotypical alcohol DUI, Utah's drunk driving laws penalize driving while a person is impaired by illegal drug use or by use of legal medications.

Utah law also prohibits driving with any measurable amount of a controlled substance or controlled substance metabolite which is not lawfully prescribed to the driver. This so-called "DUI metabolite" charge does not require any proof of actual impairment. Instead, just the presence of an inert controlled substance metabolite can support a criminal prosecution.

A controlled substance metabolite can stay in a driver's system for days. THC metabolite (from marijuana) can be detectable in a drivers blood or urine sometimes for weeks. Even if the driver is completely "sober" and not impaired in any way by alcohol or drugs, a DUI metabolite charge can still be filed if a metabolite is found in the driver's blood or urine.

DUI Field Sobriety Tests

The DUI field sobriety tests ("FST's") are intended to provide police with probable cause to pursue further investigation of a DUI. The FST's by themselves do not prove impairment. In fact, some people cannot pass the field sobriety tests even when they are 100% sober.

The standard field sobriety tests for alcohol include HGN (horizontal gaze nystagmus), OLS (one-legged stand), and WAT (walk and turn). Failure on these tests indicates a statistical probability that the person has a greater than 0.08 blood or breath alcohol concentration. In most cases, a person who has failed the FST's will be asked to take a breath test. If a person refuses to take the breath test, then the failure on the FST's will generally be sufficient to support probable cause to obtain a warrant for a blood draw and test.

Keep in mind that refusing to comply with a request to provide a breath, blood, or urine sample during a DUI investigation is grounds for an extended driver license suspension. Refusing to participate in the field sobriety tests does not carry the same consequence.

Consequences of a DUI Conviction in the Sandy Justice Court

Being convicted of DUI in the Sandy City Justice Court can have serious consequences. A first-time DUI at the class B misdemeanor level carries a minimum two-day sentence. This two-day period can be served as jail time or as community service, at the discretion of the judge. For a second offense, the minimum mandatory sentence increases to ten days, either as jail time or community service. The maximum jail term for a class B DUI is 180 days. In addition to jail time, a DUI conviction can also carry substantial fines, driver license suspension, and a variety of probation conditions.

Utah Criminal Defense Attorney for the Sandy City Justice Court

Utah Criminal LawyerChoosing the right attorney to handle your case is an important decision. Based in Salt Lake City, criminal defense attorney Stephen Howard provides defense services to clients facing prosecution in the Sandy Justice Court and throughout Utah. He has successfully protected his clients rights in thousands of serious felony and misdemeanor cases.

Contact us today to arrange for a confidential attorney consultation.

RELATED CRIMINAL DEFENSE TOPICS


Best Rating
Make a Payment to Your Account
Get Help Now
Name: Email: Phone: Describe your legal needs here:
I accept the disclaimer below.
Disclaimer: No attorney-client relationship is established by the use of this form. Confidential or time-sensitive information should not be submitted through this form. By clicking 'submit' I am only requesting that I be contacted for the purpose of obtaining legal services.

This form protected by reCAPTCHA.

  • Selected Victories
  • Criminal Defense AttorneyDismissed - Contractor was charged with theft by deception for allegedly misusing customer funds and failing to complete work that had been agreed upon. A successful motion to quash on legal grounds following the bindover order at preliminary hearing resulted in a complete dismissal of all charges.
  • Drug Crimes Defense Attorney Utah Dismissed - Client facing first-degree felony drug distribution charge and potential life in prison. Charges were based on allegations that client had sold drugs to an undercover police officer, then made a full confession. Successful mitigation work resulted in negotiated offer of misdemeanor plea-in-abeyance and ultimate dismissal of case.
  • 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.
  • Felony Attorney Utah Dismissed - Client facing first-degree felony charge and possible life in prison for child kidnapping. Full defense analysis of the case revealed critical legal flaws in the prosecution's case. When confronted with the defense legal analysis, the prosecutor agreed to dismiss the case outright without trial.
  • Recent Posts
  • What to Do When Arrested for DUI What should I do if I am arrested for DUI? - Many DUI cases begin as minor traffic stops. But the consequences of a DUI conviction are much more serious than an ordinary traffic citation. If you are pulled over for a suspected DUI, you have specific important constitutional and statutory rights that can protect your. . . .
  • Utah Statewide Warrant Search How do I find out if I have an outstanding warrant? - If you believe you may have an outstanding arrest warrant in Utah, a criminal defense attorney can access the Utah statewide warrant system and help you find the best. . . .
Best Criminal Defense Strategy

You want the best defense. Agressive is good. But results ultimately are what really matter. Creating an effective strategy for defending against criminal prosecution requires a thorough understanding of statutes, case law, and evidentiary and procedural rules. A successful outcome is more likely when....

Strategy »
Salt Lake Criminal Defense Attorney Profile Utah

With decades of combined experience, our criminal defense team attorneys have the knowledge, skill, and determination to help you achieve the results you need. Facing criminal prosecution in Utah can have serious consequences. Choosing the best attorney to defend your case may be one of the most important decisions you will ever make....

Experience »
Conviction Consequences in Utah Criminal Prosecutions

Jail time, prison time, thousands of dollars in fines, and the lifetime collateral consequences of having a criminal conviction on your record - all of these and more are at stake when you are facing criminal prosecution in Utah. Understanding what is at risk is critical. Even so-called "minor" misdemeanor cases can have serious consequences....

Consequences »
Criminal Defense Attorney in Utah - Reasons to Hope

Clients sometimes ask what the "worst case scenario" is for their charges. We prefer to take a more positive approach. Facing criminal prosecution in Utah can have serious consequences. But you can take steps and make choices right now that will improve your chances of a positive outcome. Let us help you....

Reasons to Hope »
Home | Attorney Profile | Case Results | Criminal Code | FAQ | Legal Resources | Defense Strategy | Contact Us

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

The materials in this website are intended for informational purposes only, and are not legal advice. Viewing or responding to materials in this site does not create an attorney-client relationship. Read Full Disclaimer.