Driving with No Insurance - No Proof of Insurance

Salt Lake Criminal Defense Attorney for Utah No Insurance Charges

Utah's criminal code makes it a criminal offense to operate a motor vehicle without insurance. The criminal code also makes it a crime to operate a motor vehicle without having proof of insurance with you in the vehicle. Both crimes are considered class B misdemeanors, making the maximum possible jail term on each 180 days. A conviction becomes part of your Utah criminal record, and can count against you in determining expungement eligibility.

Most judges will not impose jail time for a first offense. But in addition to the possibility of jail time, a Utah conviction for no insurance can mean a substantial mandatory fine and a suspended driver's license. The Utah Driver License Division may require you to carry SR22 insurance to have your license reinstated.

Many driving without insurance cases are filed in Utah's justice court system. But this does not mean that the charges should not be taken seriously. Do not plead guilty to a Utah insurance charge without speaking to an experienced Utah criminal defense attorney first. There may be a valid defense for your case. Given the potential fines, driver's license suspension, insurance consequence, you may actually end up saving money by hiring a lawyer to handle your case.

Utah criminal defense attorney Stephen Howard has spent his career defending the rights of individuals facing criminal charges. He has protected his clients' rights in thousands of serious felony and misdemeanor cases. Based in Salt Lake City, Mr. Howard provides legal services to clients throughout Utah. Contact us today to arrange for an initial consultation.

A Few Potential Defenses

It is relatively common for individuals to be charged under Utah's no insurance laws when they have borrowed someone else's vehicle. Even if the owner of the vehicle did not have a valid insurance policy on the vehicle, the individual driving the car may not be guilty. Under such a circumstance, it is vital to consider whether the individual had his or her own insurance policy that covered the driver regardless of whether the vehicle was insured. If you have an insurance policy that covers you as the driver, you are not guilty of driving without insurance.

Under such circumstances, some police officers may try to cite you for not having proof of insurance ("evidence of security") with you while driving. If you are cited for not having proof of insurance, but you had insurance that was in effect at the time, you are not guilty. Under Utah's criminal code, actually having insurance is a complete defense to the charge of not having proof of insurance. While it may be true that you did not have proof of insurance, you are not still not guilty.

Costs of Hiring an Attorney

Hiring an attorney can be expensive. But the costs of a conviction can be even greater. While it is not likely that a judge would impose the maximum jail term (180 days) for a no insurance conviction, there are other consequences to consider.

We occasionally hear from individuals who are being denied expungement eligibility based on minor traffic-related criminal convictions, such as driving without insurance. Employment and other opportunities can be missed based on an inability to pass a criminal background check. Typically, it is not the no insurance charge that is causing problems directly in their lives. But a no insurance conviction can be enough, in some cases, to prevent expungement of other more serious charges.

We try to keep the costs of representation affordable by offering our clients the option of hourly billing or reasonable flat-fee rates. Consulting with an experienced criminal defense attorney can help you understand your options.

Finding a Criminal Defense Lawyer in Salt Lake City, Utah

Salt Lake criminal defense attorney Stephen Howard is pleased to offer legal services to clients throughout Utah. He has successfully protected his clients' rights in some of the most serious charges on the books in Utah. He also recognizes that even "minor" misdemeanor charges can have significant consequences, and takes each case seriously.

If you are facing prosecution for no insurance or other criminal charges, contact us today to schedule an initial consultation.

RELATED CRIMINAL DEFENSE TOPICS

• Do I need a lawyer at arraignment for a misdemeanor case in Utah?
• What kind of lawyer can handle an expungement in Utah?
• How do I choose the best attorney for my Utah criminal case?