Utah DUI Attorney – Salt Lake, Ogden, Provo
When you have been charged with a DUI in Utah, you need effective representation to ensure your rights are not infringed by an aggressive prosecution. At Utah Defenders, our Utah DUI Attorneys have helped guide many Utahns through the process of a DUI case. You may have been charged with a DUI after an officer ran you through a series of tests. Information on the various tests used by law enforcement to determine intoxication can be found below. To get answers to your specific questions, and for representation on your case, you can speak to one of our experienced Utah DUI Lawyers today.
Understanding DUI tests in Utah
One of the reasons clients choose our team of DUI Defense Attorneys, is our experience and knowledge of the potential DUI tests performed by law enforcement officers during a traffic stop. We understand how each DUI test is suppose to be performed. Often officers do not perform certain tests correctly which is easily determined by our attorneys who can than use the officers potential mistakes to strengthen your defense. A test that was not performed correctly can raise doubt in the mind of the jury. DUI test results are often the key pieces of evidence in DUI cases. You will need an attorney who can discredit this evidence where applicable.
The Different DUI Tests
The most common tests performed by law enforement officers investigating a DUI are the Field Sobriety Test; the Breath Test; and the Blood, Urine, or Oral Fluids Test. The field sobriety test is a very common DUI test in which the officer may run an indiviual through a series of physical tests such as standing on one leg, walking and turning, a horizontal gaze test, saying the alphabet, counting numbers, etc. Many individuals are unaware of the fact that they are not legally obligated to perform a field sobriety test.
The breath test is another common DUI test administered by law enforcement. There are essentially two different types of breath tests. The first is the portable breath test in which an officer will administer a breath test to an individual at the scene of the traffic stop. Portable breath tests are not always admitted into evidence because such results are typically unreliable. The other breath test is a more reliable test given at the police station after you have been taken into custody. An officer who administers this breath test must be certified.
Often, once you have been taken into custody, the officers will have you submit to chemical DUI testing; usually a blood, urine, and or oral fluid test. The blood test is generally the most reliable of the chemical tests administered for DUI. However, a blood test can only be administered by someone licensed to do so, typically a doctor, nurse, or other medical professional. Individuals who refuse to take a chemical test may lose their license for up to 18 months and may face additionaly penalties.
Free Consultation – Know Your Rights!
If you have been charged with a DUI in Utah and submitted to DUI tests, you likley have many questions about the potential penalites you are facing. Don’t go at it alone. Call one of the Utah Defender’s experienced DUI Defense Attorneys today. Our Criminal Defense team can advise you as to your rights regarding the test evidence against you and will scrutinize the tests conducted in your case to determine if law enforcement followed the proper procedures. We offer free consulations and are available 24/7. Call us today at 801.618.1334. You can also email us at your convenience.
