EVERYONE DESERVES A SECOND CHANCE


SALT LAKE CITY CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEYS

EVERYONE DESERVES A SECOND CHANCE


SALT LAKE CITY CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEYS

FELONY DUI DEFENSE

Utah Felony DUI Defense Basics

Most DUIs in Utah are classified as misdemeanor crimes. Some DUIs, however, are enhanced to felonies. This section describes some the issues surrounding felony DUIs in Utah. If you decide to hire a DUI attorney to give you the best DUI defense possible, you can contact an attorney at Intermountain Legal for a free consultation.

In Utah, a DUI will be enhanced to a felony if a person inflicts serious bodily injury on someone else as a result of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or if this is a third DUI-related conviction within 10 years. Felonies are prosecuted much more vigorously than misdemeanors by the County Attorney's Office and require a more serious defense. If you are charged with a felony DUI, it is important to make sure that the prior DUI convictions were entered on the record properly. If the prior convictions contain critical errors, then the current case should not be charged as a felony.

Felony DUI Penalties

The penalties for a felony DUI conviction are much more severe than for a misdemeanor conviction. For felonies, the judge is allowed to impose prison time and will require intensive treatment in or out of prison. The minimum and maximum penalties for a felony DUI conviction are listed below:

Minimum Sentence (Felony DUI)

Maximum Sentence (Felony DUI)

62.5 days jail (1,500 hours) $2,775 fine Alcohol/Drug Screening, Assessment, Counseling and Testing Intensive treatment or inpatient and aftercare of 240 hours Supervised Probation 1 year Driver License suspension PRIME for Life Class Ignition Interlock Device DNA Sample Submitted to the State 0-5 year prison term $9,250 Fine Alcohol/Drug Screening, Assessment, Counseling and Testing Intensive treatment or inpatient treatment and aftercare of 240 hours to 5 years Supervised Probation (If no 0-5 prison term imposed) Additional 2 year Suspension of Drivers License PRIME for Life Class Ignition Interlock Device DNA Sample Submitted to the State

As with misdemeanors, most of the time a judge will not impose the maximum penalty for each charge. However, because courts take felony DUIs more seriously the judge may impose a more severe penalty. Also, if you have multiple charges, the judge may add the jail time and/or the fines together.

In addition to court fines, you must also be aware of additional costs associated with a conviction. For DUIs, the court will order substance abuse screening and treatment and often drug or alcohol testing. The cost of treatment and testing will depend on your individual circumstances, but can be thousands of dollars.

Finally, some employers will not or cannot hire or promote employees with certain criminal convictions on their record. This can also affect you financially. If you are concerned about the potential penalties you are facing or have additional questions, you may want to contact our office for a consultation.

To Read More About DUI Charges in Utah See The Links Below:

Intermountain Legal is located in Salt Lake City, UT and serves clients throughout all of Northern and Central Utah including Salt Lake City, Midvale, Sandy, West Jordan, North Salt Lake, Bountiful, South Jordan, Clearfield, Woods Cross, Draper, Farmington, Centerville, Layton, Ogden, Lehi, Provo, Orem, Park City, Davis County, Salt Lake County, Weber County, Utah County, Tooele County, Summit County.


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STEVEN K. BURTON

As a former prosecutor Steven gained an intimate knowledge of various Domestic Violence Courts, DUI courts and other criminal court programs and procedures. He has spent over 3,500 hours in court and has argued more cases than most attorneys do in a lifetime. For more on Steve's experience, click here.

JUSTIN PRATT

Attorney Justin S. Pratt handles all types of criminal cases, with an emphasis on DUI-related charges. He believes that someone who is charged with a crime deserves the specialized attention of an attorney who will protect his client's rights by taking the time to examine constitutional issues, important factual circumstances, and any other crucial factors that may be relevant to the case. For more on Justin's experience, click here.

STACI VISSER

Staci has represented clients in nearly every type of criminal case, from misdemeanors to first-degree felonies. She has an excellent reputation with her clients and they have repeatedly recommended her to their friends and family. She also practices criminal appeals and family law. For more on Staci's experience, click here.

MARK LAROCCO

Mark is skilled at dealing with all aspects of family law, including helping clients obtain modifications, enforce court orders, and achieve fair custody and support awards. Going through a painful divorce or a custody battle can be one of the most difficult times in someone’s life, and Mark is there to help every step of the way. For more on Mark's experience, click here.

MATTHEW BELL

Matthew's reputation as an attorney is one who thoroughly understands the law and diligently advocates to advance his client's interests. His practice primarily focuses on representing clients in family law matters. He has assisted hundreds of clients in divorce, custody, guardianship, and termination of parental rights cases. For more on Matthew's experience click here.

STEVEN K. BURTON

As a former prosecutor Steven gained an intimate knowledge of various Domestic Violence Courts, DUI courts and other criminal court programs and procedures. He has spent over 3,500 hours in court and has argued more cases than most attorneys do in a lifetime. For more on Steve's experience, click here.

 
JUSTIN PRATT

Attorney Justin S. Pratt handles all types of criminal cases, with an emphasis on DUI-related charges. He believes that someone who is charged with a crime deserves the specialized attention of an attorney who will protect his client's rights by taking the time to examine constitutional issues, important factual circumstances, and any other crucial factors that may be relevant to the case. For more on Justin's experience, click here.

 
STACI VISSER

Staci has represented clients in nearly every type of criminal case, from misdemeanors to first-degree felonies. She has an excellent reputation with her clients and they have repeatedly recommended her to their friends and family. She also practices criminal appeals and family law. For more on Staci's experience, click here.

 
MARK LAROCCO

Mark is skilled at dealing with all aspects of family law, including helping clients obtain modifications, enforce court orders, and achieve fair custody and support awards. Going through a painful divorce or a custody battle can be one of the most difficult times in someone’s life, and Mark is there to help every step of the way. For more on Marks's experience, click here.

 
MATTHEW BELL

Matthew's reputation as an attorney is one who thoroughly understands the law and diligently advocates to advance his client's interests. His practice primarily focuses on representing clients in family law matters. He has assisted hundreds of clients in divorce, custody, guardianship, and termination of parental rights cases. For more on Matthew's experience click here.