DUI Attorney in West Valley

Charged With DUI? Our Taylorsville Defense Team Is Here To Help

A DUI or drunk driving charge tied to West Valley can threaten your driver’s license, your record, and your future in a single night. In a matter of hours, you may go from a traffic stop to handcuffs, paperwork, and a court date you do not understand. It is normal to feel anxious and unsure what to do next.

At Melton Law, we focus on defending people accused of crimes in Taylorsville, the Salt Lake City area, and nearby communities. That includes clients facing DUI and drunk driving charges connected to West Valley.

Our team offers aggressive, rights-focused representation combined with a highly personalized approach. We work to create a relaxed yet confident environment so you can talk honestly about what happened and get clear information about your options. When you are ready to take the next step, you can reach out and speak with us about your situation.

Contact a West Valley DUI lawyer at (801) 781-5803 or reach out online to take advantage of our free consultation and start building your defense.

Understanding DUI Laws in Utah

Under Utah Code § 41-6a-502, a person may not operate or be in actual physical control of a vehicle if they have a BAC of .05 grams or higher, or if they are "under the influence" to a degree that renders them incapable of safely operating a vehicle. 

This means you can be charged even if your BAC is below the legal limit if the officer believes your driving was impaired by alcohol, drugs, or a combination of both.

A West Valley DUI lawyer must distinguish between the various levels of DUI charges:

• Standard DUI (Class B Misdemeanor): Typically a first or second offense within ten years without aggravating factors.
• Aggravated DUI (Class A Misdemeanor): Charges are elevated if there was a passenger under 16 in the vehicle, if you caused bodily injury to another, or if you have certain prior convictions.
• Felony DUI (Third Degree Felony): A DUI becomes a felony if it is your third offense within ten years, if you have a prior felony DUI conviction, or if the incident resulted in "serious bodily injury" to another person.

Additionally, Utah enforces an "Implied Consent" law. By operating a vehicle in the state, you have legally agreed to submit to chemical testing (breath, blood, or urine) if an officer has reasonable grounds to believe you are driving under the influence.

Penalties and Collateral Consequences of DUI in Utah

The penalties for a DUI in Utah are mandatory and escalate quickly based on your prior record. Even for a first-time offender, the consequences are immediate.

Statutory Criminal Penalties

• First Offense: Minimum 48 hours in jail or 48 hours of compensatory service (community service), a minimum fine of $1,420 (including surcharges), and mandatory participation in a screening and educational series.
• Second Offense (within 10 years): Minimum 10 days in jail or 5 days jail plus 30 days of electronic home confinement, and significantly higher fines.
• Third Offense (Felony): Minimum 62.5 days in jail, potential prison time of 0 to 5 years, and fines reaching into the thousands.

Administrative and Collateral Consequences

Separate from your court case, the Utah Driver License Division (DLD) will move to suspend your privileges.

• License Suspension: 120 days for a first offense; 2 years for a second offense. If you refused the chemical test, the suspension jumps to 18 months or 36 months respectively.
• Ignition Interlock Device (IID): Most DUI convictions require you to pay for and install a breath-test device in your car for 18 months to 3 years.
• Alcohol-Restricted Driver (ARD) Status: You will be prohibited from driving with any measurable amount of alcohol in your system for 2 to 10 years.
• Employment and Insurance: A DUI conviction cannot be expunged for many years and will appear on background checks, often leading to job loss or massive increases in insurance premiums.

Our Comprehensive Approach to DUI Defense

No two DUI cases are exactly the same. The strength of the evidence, the reason for the traffic stop, the type of testing, and your prior history all affect your situation. We begin by gathering information about what led to the stop, how the officer interacted with you, and what tests were requested or performed.

At Melton Law, we approach every DUI case as if it is going to trial. This aggressive stance is the only way to secure the best possible results for our clients. 

Our methodology includes:

• Challenging the Initial Stop: We meticulously review video footage to see if there was actually a "reasonable suspicion" for the stop.
• Analyzing Field Sobriety Performance: These tests are designed for people to fail. We point out the "innocent" reasons for poor performance, such as fatigue, wind, or nervousness.
• Forensic Evidence Scrutiny: We look for "blood ferments" or improper storage of samples that could lead to falsely high BAC readings.
• Strategic Negotiation: Because we are a persistent DUI defense attorney in West Valley, prosecutors know we will look for every procedural error, often leading to reduced charges or dismissals before a trial even starts.

Why People in West Valley Turn To Our DUI Defense Team

When you are searching for help after a DUI arrest, you are not just looking for any lawyer. You want someone who understands criminal defense in Utah, treats you with respect, and explains what is happening without legal jargon. That is the type of representation we strive to provide to every person who comes to us for help with a DUI case.

We take an aggressive and strategic approach from the start. That begins with listening carefully to your story and reviewing the details of the stop, testing, and arrest. Our goal is to protect your rights at every stage and to look for opportunities to improve your position. We do not see your case as a file number. We see a person with a career, a family, and a future that matters.

Cost is a major concern for many clients, especially after an unexpected arrest. Our firm is known for offering affordable services with transparent pricing, so you understand fees before work begins. Clients and credible sources have recognized our work, which gives many people reassurance that they are not taking a leap of faith when they choose us as their DUI defense attorney in West Valley.

What To Do After a DUI Arrest in West Valley

After a DUI arrest in West Valley, it is common to feel overwhelmed and unsure of what comes next. Important details, deadlines, and decisions can surface quickly, and the steps you take now can affect how your case develops. Taking a calm, organized approach can help protect your rights and prepare you for a productive conversation with a DUI defense lawyer.

Steps to take after a DUI arrest:

• Keep all paperwork from law enforcement and the jail, including citations, booking documents, court dates, and license-related notices.
• Watch for deadlines listed in those documents, as missing them can limit your options.
• Limit detailed discussions about the incident to your attorney and avoid talking about it in texts, group messages, or on social media.
• Write down your memory of what happened as soon as possible, including where you were, what the officer said, and how any tests were explained.
• Contact a DUI defense firm promptly rather than waiting for your first court date, so your paperwork can be reviewed and next steps explained early.

Take the Next Step Toward Protecting Your Future

At Melton Law, we work to protect our clients’ rights, driving records, and futures through personalized, strategic criminal defense. We offer affordable representation with transparent pricing and a relaxed yet confident environment where you can speak openly about what happened. When you are ready to take control of your next steps, our team is ready to listen.

To discuss your DUI or drunk driving case with our Taylorsville based defense team, call (801) 781-5803 or reach out online today.