Utah DUI Laws and Penalties
Explained
Facing a DUI (Driving Under the Influence) charge in Utah demands thorough understanding of the state's DUI laws and penalties to effectively handle your legal situation.
Utah DUI laws are strict, with serious consequences for those convicted, including financial fines, license suspension, and potential incarceration. This resource provides comprehensive information about DUI penalties in Utah to help you stay informed and prepared.
An Overview of Utah DUI Laws
Utah DUI laws are controlled by Utah Code § 41-6a-502, which makes it illegal to operate or maintain actual physical control of a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances. The state enforces severe penalties for DUI violations, with consequences that escalate significantly for repeat violators.
Under Utah law, DUI (Driving Under the Influence) of alcoholic beverages, chemical substances, or controlled substances is one offense, established by impairment of normal faculties or an unlawful blood alcohol or breath alcohol level of 0.05 or above.
Utah operates under an "implied consent" law, meaning that by driving on Utah roads, you automatically consent to chemical testing if lawfully arrested for DUI. Refusing to submit to testing results in automatic license suspension and can be used as evidence against you in court.
An Overview of Utah DUI Penalties
Under Utah law (Utah Code § 41-6a-502), DUI penalties can include substantial fines, potential jail time, license suspension, and the installation of an ignition interlock device, with the severity depending on your history and specific circumstances.
These consequences can have a lasting impact on your driving privileges, employment opportunities, and financial well-being. Whether you're seeking general information or facing DUI charges, it's crucial to understand Utah's strict laws and the escalating penalties that accompany each offense.
Specific Penalties for a DUI in Utah
Utah DUI Fine Schedule
In Utah, DUI fines escalate with each violation. The penalties become more severe if your blood alcohol level is 0.16 or above or if a minor was in the vehicle during the arrest. These circumstances are considered particularly dangerous.
The state employs financial penalties to emphasize the seriousness of impaired driving. Repeat violators face dramatically increased fines as a method to prevent recurring dangerous behavior and safeguard the community.
First Conviction
Second Conviction
Third Conviction
Fourth+ Conviction
Utah Imprisonment Terms
Utah enforces stricter jail sentences for each DUI conviction. A first offense may result in up to 180 days of jail time, but higher blood alcohol levels or aggravating factors can increase that penalty.
Repeat offenses lead to mandatory minimum jail stays that increase significantly. The law also requires certain jail time to be served in consecutive days to ensure the offender cannot easily work around the sentence.
First Conviction
- Up to 180 days imprisonment
- Enhanced penalties for high BAC
Second Conviction
- 10 days to 1 year imprisonment
- Enhanced penalties for repeat offense
Third Conviction
- Felony: 62.5 days to 5 years imprisonment
- Felony charges possible
Fourth+ Conviction
- Felony: 1 to 5 years imprisonment
- Habitual offender classification possible
Utah Vehicle Impoundment/Immobilization
Utah law may require the offender's vehicle to be impounded after certain DUI convictions. The duration depends on the specific circumstances and prior offenses.
This penalty serves as a deterrent by limiting the offender's immediate ability to drive again. Vehicle impoundment periods increase with repeat offenses, providing additional consequences beyond fines and jail time.
Unless the family has no other transportation:
Utah Driver License Revocation Periods
Losing your driver's license in Utah after a DUI is standard, and the duration depends on the specifics of the offense. First offenses typically result in a suspension that lasts 120 days, but that time increases significantly for repeat offenses.
Multiple offenses lead to much longer suspensions. Utah has some of the strictest DUI license suspension laws in the country. In some cases, you may apply for limited driving privileges after serving a minimum period, but this requires meeting strict conditions.
First Offense
- • 120 days suspension
- • Enhanced: Test refusal: 18 months suspension
Second Offense
- • 2 years suspension
- • Enhanced: Test refusal: 3 years suspension
Third Offense
- • 2 years suspension
- • Enhanced: Test refusal: 3 years suspension
Fourth+ Offense
- • 2 years suspension
- • Enhanced: Test refusal: 3 years suspension
Serious DUI Offenses in Utah
Utah treats DUI-related fatalities as serious felonies. DUI causing death can carry up to 15 years in prison and substantial fines. If the driver flees the scene, the charge becomes even more severe.
Vehicular homicide follows a similar pattern. These cases demonstrate how Utah distinguishes common DUI charges from those involving loss of life. The legal consequences reflect the permanent damage caused by one reckless decision.
DUI Manslaughter
- Second degree felony
- Up to $10,000 fine and/or 15 years imprisonment
Vehicular Homicide
- Second degree felony
- Up to $10,000 fine and/or 15 years imprisonment
Utah Ignition Interlock Law and Device Guidelines
Utah law mandates ignition interlock devices for all DUI convictions. The requirements are mandatory and cannot be waived by the court. First-time offenders must install an ignition interlock device for a minimum of 18 months after regaining driving privileges.
Repeat offenders face mandatory ignition interlock requirements that increase substantially with each conviction - from 2 years for a second offense up to 10 years for felony convictions. The device must be installed by a state-approved provider and requires regular maintenance and monitoring.
All costs associated with the ignition interlock device, including installation, monthly monitoring fees, and removal, are the responsibility of the offender. Tampering with or circumventing the device is a separate criminal offense.
For complete statutory language and the most current information, please refer to:
Utah Code § 41-6a-502Utah Department of Public Safety
About Low Cost Interlock
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