What does a criminal defense attorney cost in Salt Lake City?

We will sit down with you to discuss your payment options and look for an arrangement that is manageable for you. When we defend you, part of our role is helping to provide you with support and reduce your anxiety, down to the way we structure payments. Additionally, your initial consultation is cost-free.

When should you hire a criminal defense attorney?

If you were arrested and charged with a crime in Utah, you should contact Overson Law immediately. This is also true if you think that you are under investigation for a crime. The quicker you get in touch with us, the quicker we can begin advocating for your interests and fighting to ensure that the system does not treat you unfairly.

How can our Salt Lake City criminal defense lawyer help you?

Darwin will guide you, advise you, listen to you, and protect your Constitutional rights while working hard to achieve a favorable outcome to your case, such as an acquittal (“not guilty” verdict), a reduction in the penalties you are facing, your charges being dropped, or a dismissal of your case.

Salt Lake City Multiple Traffic Violations Lawyer

Name: Utah Criminal Defense Attorney
Brand: Overson Law, PLLC
Rating: 4.2 (46 reviews)

Utah is not a state known for being extremely strict when it comes to imposing traffic tickets. However, if you break transit laws, you could still receive one or more tickets depending on your infraction or infractions. Possible consequences can range from fines to jail time and the suspension of your driving privileges.

If you or a loved one is facing multiple traffic violation tickets, you need immediate assistance from a Salt Lake City traffic ticket lawyer. Darwin Overson from Overson Law has gained extensive experience handling traffic violation cases for more than 15 years. If you wish to learn more about your situation in a free, confidential consultation, call our law offices at (801) 758-2287 today.

Common Traffic Offenses in Utah

Generally, people face traffic tickets for violating general rules every day. However, there are several traffic violations that happen with more frequency than others. The following represents some of the most common traffic offenses in Salt Lake City, Utah:

Running a red light

Red-light running is one of the most dangerous practices thousands of drivers engage in every year. According to the Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), in 2018, 846 people lost their lives in red light running accidents in the U.S. Due to the inherent dangers of running a red light, Utah has enacted stiff penalties for engaging in this dangerous conduct. You may get several points deducted from your license if you are caught, or it may be suspended altogether if you have accumulated enough deduction points.

Additionally, you can also face fines or infractions. No matter how innocent your charges may seem, it is essential to hire a skilled multiple traffic violations lawyer. Your penalties may increase if you are a repeat offender. Our Salt Lake City multiple traffic violations lawyer can help you with these matters.

Running a stop sign

Running a stop sign is often charged as an infraction, which can lead to a relatively small fine. However, running a stop sign can lead to an accident, which may lead to criminal charges if there are any deaths involved. If you have been charged with an offense such as vehicular manslaughter, you need to hire an experienced Salt Lake City multiple traffic violations lawyers. We can help defend you against your alleged offenses and build a strategic defense for your case.

Parking violations

Every day, hundreds of people – if not thousands – face tickets for alleged parking violations in Salt Lake City. The most important thing to remember is that you must pay whatever fine is on your ticket on time to prevent any additional penalties. Additionally, you can also challenge your ticket. However, it would be best if you had the assistance of our Utah multiple traffic violations attorneys who can help you through this issue.

Speeding

Speeding is common in Utah. Police officers are always vigilant and will stop anyone suspected of driving over the law-established speeds. As with other traffic violations, the penalties may result in tickets that should be paid as soon as possible. Engaging in multiple speeding infractions can lead to the suspension of your driver’s license. However, if you are caught speeding in a school zone, your charges may be increased to a misdemeanor. It is essential to understand that there are ways you can fight the charges against you. Our Salt Lake City multiple traffic violations lawyer can help you with these and other legal matters.

While this is not an exhaustive list of common traffic offenses, it illustrates the types of infractions drivers are accused of daily. While, in many instances, you can get fines for these infractions, you can also face more severe consequences depending on your particular circumstances. It is critical to have skilled, experienced, and dedicated criminal defense representation at all times, no matter the extent of your infraction and potential penalties.

Utah’s Driver License Division Point System

The Utah Driver License Division (DLD) sets forth a point system through which they can keep tabs on your driving record. Depending on the type of infraction and the severity of it, the DLD will add points to your driver’s license. In more severe cases an individual can have their license suspended without accumulating points. According to Utah’s Driver License Division, some of the most common traffic violations receive the following demerit or infraction points as follows:

Following another car too closely: 60 infraction points
Failing to yield right-of-way: 60 infraction points
Running a stop sign: 50 infraction points
Running a red light: 50 infraction points
Reckless driving: 80 infraction points
Speeding over the limit by 1mph to 21mph: 35 to 75 infraction points, depending on the circumstances
Texting while driving: 60 infraction points

If a person reaches 200 points in a 3-year period, he or she will have their driver’s license suspended for 3 months to 1 year. People under the age of 21 will have their license suspended for 1 month to 1 year if they accumulate 70 points in a 3-year period.

The DLD grants the opportunity to clear your records, provided you follow good driving behavior for a set period. Additionally, if you participate in the state’s driver improvement course and complete it successfully, the DLD will remove 50 points off your driver’s license.

Additional Consequences

As we mentioned, you can face the consequences beyond a mere infraction and a small fine for your traffic violations. It is essential to understand how Utah divides crimes. Typically, the state split crimes into misdemeanors and felonies. Both misdemeanors and felonies are subdivided into different categories. For instance, misdemeanors are divided into classes A, B, and C, while felonies are divided into first, second, and third-degree.

Typically, misdemeanors carry the lesser types of criminal consequences out of all criminal offenses in Utah. For example, Class C misdemeanors are the more inferior type of offense within the misdemeanor category. If you are convicted, you can face up to 90 days in jail and $750 in fines. Conversely, if you are convicted for a Class A misdemeanor, you can face up to a year in jail and $2,500 in fines.

Felonies, on the other hand, represent the most severe types of criminal offenses you can be charged with. A criminal conviction for a felony carries the most devastating penalties. A third-degree felony conviction can lead to five years in prison and up to $5,000 in fines. However, your penalties can increase exponentially if you are convicted for a first-degree felony. A criminal conviction for a first-degree felony can lead to life in prison and $10,000 in fines.

Other than losing your license – which is bad enough – you could also face further consequences. While typically there is no jail time for a traffic ticket, depending on specific circumstances, a person could still face incarceration. For instance, if a person was speeding and, as a consequence, crashes into another vehicle, they could face charges for reckless driving. Reckless driving is classified as a Class B misdemeanor in Utah. If found guilty, you could face jail time, and infraction points would be added to your driver’s license.

Fighting your Traffic Tickets in Court

There are times where a person may want to challenge or contest their traffic tickets in court. Once the hearing date has been established with the court, the person has the opportunity to prepare for the case. Failing to appear at your scheduled hearing can cause several consequences including bench warrants for your arrest.

Contesting your tickets in court require collecting relevant and essential evidence. Eyewitness testimony from passengers in your vehicle or someone else who witnessed the incident is good evidence to help your case. Traffic camera footage can also be excellent proof of what really happened. You would also need to be prepared for questioning during the hearing. Going through this process on your own could be risky; if you fail to manage your case correctly, you could lose the case. An experienced traffic ticket lawyer could help you prepare for your court hearing.

If after presenting your evidence you are found guilty, you would have to pay the total fines for your tickets. However, proving your case will save you from spending money on your tickets and, more importantly, no infraction points will be added to your driver’s license. You should also consider the possibility of negotiating your case with the prosecution for a better outcome, should you need it. If you have multiple traffic tickets, you could negotiate with the prosecutor and plead guilty for one or more infractions in exchange for dropping other charges.

Can I Appeal a License Suspension in Salt Lake City?

As we mentioned, DLD will determine whether you can get your license back or if it should be suspended. If the DLD decides to suspend your driver’s license, you cannot file an appeal with them. Typically, you can only appeal a determination made by the court. If this is your case, your attorney can help you throughout Salt Lake City’s ordinary appeals process. However, this doesn’t mean you will be left out of recourse and have your license suspended indefinitely.

With your Salt Lake City multiple traffic violations lawyer’s assistance, you may try to get your license back. Utah offers an alternative to drivers who have already depleted their 200 points. You can participate in what is known as the Defensive Driving Course. By participating and completing this course, you can knock up to 50 points off your driver’s license. This may not be the situation you’d want to be in. However, completing your Defensive Driving Course can allow you to keep your license and have a second chance to improve your score and avoid having your license suspended in the future.

Salt Lake City, Utah Traffic Ticket Lawyers Offering Free Consultations

Being charged with a criminal offense in Utah can be one of the most overwhelming experiences you can face. This is especially true if you have never had run-ins with the police. At Overson Law, PLLC, we understand how frustrating and challenging dealing with a criminal charge can be. That is why we dedicate all our efforts and resources to fighting aggressively and strategically to defend your constitutional rights at all times. Thanks to our decades of experience handling criminal law, we can provide you with the quality legal representation you deserve. Please don’t wait another second, and call our experienced, skilled, and dedicated criminal defense attorneys.

If you or someone you know is facing multiple traffic tickets in Salt Lake City, or anywhere in Utah, we may be able to help you. To schedule a free consultation with our experienced lawyers, call our law offices today at (801) 758-2287 today.