Spanish Fork DUI Defense Lawyers

Attorneys Helping People Arrested for Drunk Driving in Spanish Fork, UT

An arrest on charges of driving under the influence (DUI) can be overwhelming, whether this is your first encounter with the criminal justice system or you have been charged with DUI or another offense in the past. The consequences of a DUI conviction can affect every aspect of your life. The loss of your driver's license could affect your employment opportunities and your personal life. You could also face serious penalties that may include fines or even a jail sentence.

However, an arrest on suspicion of intoxicated driving does not automatically mean that you will be convicted of DUI. Every case is unique, and there may be opportunities to challenge the charges, reduce penalties, or even have your case dismissed. The right legal guidance can make a critical difference in how a DUI case is resolved.

At Collins Rupp, P.C., our DUI defense attorneys can provide strategic legal representation, helping you determine the best defense strategies based on the circumstances of your arrest and other factors involved in your case. By closely examining how a traffic stop occurred, how tests were administered, and whether your rights were respected, our lawyers will advise you of the available options. We will work to have the charges against you dismissed, secure an acquittal or resolve your case in a way that will minimize the penalties that may affect your life.

What to Do After Being Pulled Over for Suspected DUI

When a law enforcement officer suspects that someone is driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, they may initiate a traffic stop. Most of the time, a stop will be based on traffic violations or observations of erratic driving behavior or other indicators of intoxication. During the stop, the officer will be looking for signs of intoxication. If they have probable cause to believe that the driver is under the influence, they may arrest the driver for DUI.

When you have been pulled over, it is important to remain calm and polite. You should provide the requested documentation and other identifying information, such as your name or address, but you are not required to answer potentially incriminating questions. You can politely decline to answer questions about whether you have been drinking or engaging in any other activities.

A driver may be asked to submit to a preliminary breath test (PBT) at the roadside, or an officer may ask you to step out of your vehicle and perform field sobriety tests (FSTs). These tests are not mandatory, and you can politely decline. However, doing so may influence the officer's decision to make an arrest.

After an arrest, you will typically be asked to take a chemical test, such as a breathalyzer test or a blood test. Under implied consent laws, these tests cannot be refused without penalties. A refusal will lead to an automatic driver's license suspension. When you have been arrested, you should contact an attorney right away, and you can invoke your right to remain silent and refuse to answer any questions until you have spoken to your lawyer.

Tests Commonly Used in Utah DUI Cases

During a traffic stop and after an arrest, police officers may use observations and tests to build a case. It is important to understand the role that these tests may play in your case.

• Field Sobriety Tests: These physical coordination tests may be administered at the roadside to evaluate your level of impairment. They may include an eye test in which you will be asked to follow a moving object with your eyes, a walk-and-turn test to see if you can maintain balance while walking in a straight line, and a one-leg stand that will gauge your balance and coordination. These tests are meant to provide officers with probable cause to determine whether they can arrest you for DUI.
• Preliminary Breath Tests: A portable breathalyzer device may be used during a traffic stop to determine whether you have been drinking alcohol. These devices provide an estimate of your blood alcohol concentration (BAC), which may be enough to provide an officer with probable cause to perform an arrest. In Utah, the legal limit for BAC is .05 percent, and if a portable breathalyzer estimates that you are over this limit, you may be arrested for DUI.
• Chemical Testing: After an arrest, you will typically be taken to a police station. At this time, you may be asked to take one or more chemical tests to determine your BAC. Breath tests may be conducted with a breathalyzer device. Blood tests may be performed at a lab after taking a blood sample. If these tests show that your BAC was above .05 percent while you were driving, they may serve as evidence in a DUI case.

DUI Penalties in Utah

If you are convicted of DUI charges, you may face criminal, administrative, and financial consequences. For a first offense, you could face a jail sentence of up to six months and fines as high as $1,000, and your driver's license may be suspended for up to 120 days. A second DUI offense will carry a maximum jail sentence of 364 days, and the maximum fine will increase to $2,500. You may also face a license suspension for up to two years.

For a third DUI offense or any subsequent offenses, you will face felony charges. If you are convicted, you could be sentenced to up to five years in prison, and fines may be as high as $5,000. A longer period of license suspension will also apply. A felony conviction will also lead to restrictions that could prevent you from owning a firearm or working in certain jobs, and your criminal record may lead to other difficulties in your life.

Defense Strategies in DUI Cases

Our DUI defense attorneys will examine every aspect of your arrest to identify potential weaknesses in the prosecution's case. While every situation is different, some defense strategies that may be used include:

• Challenging the Legality of the Traffic Stop: If the officer did not have reasonable suspicion to initiate the stop, any evidence gathered afterward may be inadmissible.
• Questioning the Accuracy of Field Sobriety Tests: An officer's assessment of your performance on FSTs is subjective. Our attorneys may argue that poor performance was due to fatigue, injury, or nervousness rather than impairment.
• Disputing Chemical Test Results: Testing equipment must be properly calibrated and maintained. Chain of custody and proper procedures for blood sample collection are critical. Irregularities in testing procedures can cast doubt on the results.
• Arguing Violations of Constitutional Rights: If police failed to read you your Miranda rights or coerced a confession, those actions could form the basis for suppressing evidence.
• Presenting Alternative Explanations for Observed Behavior: We may be able to show that what were interpreted as signs of intoxication may actually have been symptoms of medical conditions such as diabetes or neurological issues.

In some cases, our lawyers may be able to negotiate with prosecutors for reduced charges, such as reckless driving, or we may take steps to reach a plea agreement that will minimize the penalties you may face. If your case proceeds to trial, we will prepare a defense aimed at raising reasonable doubt about whether you were actually impaired at the time of the alleged offense, and we will fight to secure an acquittal.

Contact Our Spanish Fork, Utah DUI Defense Attorneys

If you have been arrested for driving under the influence, getting immediate legal help can ensure that your rights will be protected. The legal process moves quickly, and early intervention can be critical in protecting your driving privileges and defending against a DUI conviction. Contact our Spanish Fork DUI lawyers at 385-777-2753 to set up a free consultation and begin building a strong defense.