How to Fight a Traffic Ticket in Utah

In Utah, traffic tickets, otherwise known as citations, are issued following minor traffic law violations such as running a stop sign, speeding, and various parking violations. These citations are served to road users by the Utah Highway Patrol, municipal police, or county sheriff’s offices.

A Utah traffic ticket contains the address, name, license number, and the traffic law violated by the offender. The citation also includes:

• The address and name of the court to handle the recipient’s case
• The deadline by which the offender should respond to the traffic ticket
• The options available for response
• The code number or statute of the traffic law violated

Concerned parties should be aware that to receive an unsecured or non-scheduled ticket in Utah means the accused has to appear in court. However, it is not mandatory to appear in court if the driver is charged with a traffic infraction, i.e., parking violations. Concerned parties can pay for the citation online or mail the bail fee to the appropriate court. To pay fines online, interested persons may be required to enter either their court case number or ticket number. However, not Utah courts allow online payment; therefore, concerned persons should contact the appropriate court clerk to discuss payment options.

The Utah DMV (Division of Motor Vehicles) is the official agency in charge of state driver records. Generally, choosing to contest the traffic citation as opposed to paying the fine means the accused motorist has to appear in court to plead “not guilty”. Afterward, the offender or the representative may attempt to negotiate with the prosecuting party. If negotiations are not successful, the court typically schedules a trial. The trial is an opportunity for the accused to narrate the event to either a jury or a judge. The judge/jury may also listen to the officer’s testimony and the witnesses before giving a verdict.

Records that are considered public may also be accessible through third-party websites. These websites expedite the search process by offering access to state-wide records and allowing users perform multi-record searches. To use a third-party site, interested parties are typically expected to provide:

• The name of the person involved in the record, unless said person is a juvenile
• The location or assumed location of the record or person involved. This includes information such as the city, county, or state in which the person resides or was accused.

Since aggregate sites are operated independently of government-owned sites and official custodians, the accuracy or validity of their records cannot be guaranteed.

Is it Worth it To Fight a Traffic Ticket in Utah?

Yes, fighting a traffic ticket in Utah is worth it, especially in cases where the driver was erroneously cited. Deciding to pay-off, the ticket is considered an admission of guilt and may be reported to the vehicle’s insurance company. This may lead to increased insurance premiums. Accumulating traffic points may also result in driver’s license suspension.

Most traffic violations in Utah are categorized as infractions with no jail time and a $750 fine (maximum). Other violations are categorized as class C misdemeanors, with a 90 day (maximum) jail time and $750 in fines. However, other traffic violations, such as drunk driving, are regarded as graver offenses. This offense generally results in higher fines and longer jail terms.

Ways to Fight a Traffic Ticket in Utah

Persons that decide to plead not guilty should mail, call, or inform the appropriate court online of their decisions. Fighting a traffic citation in Utah is done in the state’s justice courts. Defendants are advised to hire an experienced Utah traffic attorney to help navigate the court system’s nuances. Once the offender’s plea gets recorded, the justice court assigned to the case may schedule a date for the accused to appear for either a full trial or pretrial conference. The defendant’s party may be allowed to meet with the prosecutor to exchange information and possibly resolve the case before trial. However, if the case goes to trial and the jury or judge decides that the accused is not guilty, then the following may be the result:

• No points are added to the driver’s history
• Penalties and fines are dismissed
• Traffic charges are dropped
• Auto insurance premiums are not increased

If the verdict from the court does not favor the motorist, then such a person has the right to appeal to the state’s district court for a “hearing de novo” (this means that the trial is repeated).

How to Fight a Traffic Ticket Without Going to Court

Concerned parties can manage to contest traffic citations without going to court if the defendant’s party can successfully negotiate a bargain with the offense. Both parties are allowed to meet at a pretrial conference to discuss agreeable ways to resolve the matter before trial. Generally, if the negotiations are successful, the accused driver may have to comply with any of the following:

• Perform a community service
• Enroll in a driver training course
• The fine is reduced

How do You Get a Traffic Ticket Reduced in Utah

Enrolling in a Utah driver training course can help reduce traffic tickets of offenders in the state. Below are other advantages of taking this course:

• Participants may get as much as 50 points removed from their driving history once this course has been completed
• Certain insurance companies may reduce their auto insurance rates with participants (aged 55 and above) after the course has been completed.
• The participant’s driver’s license may not be suspended or revoked.

Can you Get a Speeding Ticket Dismissed in Utah?

Yes, accused drivers in Utah can get their speeding ticket dismissed through a plea in abeyance. This action means the offender is pleading no-contest, but action concerning the ticket are usually held for a year. During this time, if the traffic offender goes a full year without receiving additional tickets, then the charges could get dismissed. In Utah, pleading in abeyance allows an offender’s driving record to stay clean even after being issued a citation as long as additional tickets are avoided.

Alternatively, the court may automatically dismiss an offender’s citation if the prosecuting officer does not appear on the trial date.

What Happens if You Plead Guilty to a Traffic Ticket in Utah

In Utah, when an offender pleads guilty to a traffic citation, such a person is liable to several penalties depending on the severity of the violated traffic law. A first-time traffic offender in Utah is liable for the following punishments:

• A $750 fine
• 90 day jail time
• A year license suspension (minimum)

Committing three moving violations at a time or a reckless driving offense may result in the following penalties for first-time offenders:

• A 90 day jail time
• A maximum fine of $1000
• A minimum of 3 months license suspension

How to Find a Traffic Ticket Attorney in Utah

The Utah courts website includes a legal assistance tool to help drivers contesting a traffic ticket find lawyers to help with the case.

Persons who have decided to fight a Utah traffic ticket are advised to employ a credible traffic ticket attorney. Legal advisors on Utah traffic issues are also available online through specific third-party sites. These sites provide reviews, names, credentials, and the addresses of the lawyers. The reviews are helpful as they disclose the winning record and expertise of that lawyer.