Taking the DUI Target Off Your Back

There is a piece of advice that our criminal defense attorneys give to each client in Utah. This advice comes after they are charged with a DUI or a drug-related offense. But first, let me give you a quick note on what makes you a target to law enforcement.

Once a DUI or drug charge is established on your record, conviction or not, you have become a “marked man” so to speak. Count on being harassed every time a cop runs the license plate of a car registered to you. Police officers run plates routinely before they initiate traffic stops, particularly when traffic is not so congested. If your record is marked by a DUI or a drug offense, then the officer may find a petty reason to pull you over. The cop is "playing the odds." They hope to catch you with another DUI or find drugs in your car. Sometimes, as citizens, we want to yell, “Hey that’s not fair” but the reality is that it works many times. In fact, it works enough times that officers continue to do it on a regular basis.

There is one sure way to mitigate the risk of such harassment by law enforcement, and this is the advice we give our clients:

Drive vehicles that are registered to a person with an unblemished criminal background. It is not against the law to do this. By following this advice, you lower the chance of getting stopped by a cop for driving violations you would not normally be stopped for. Now, understand that I’m not advocating that anyone drive while under the influence. Drunk driving is not acceptable under any circumstances. Here is a method to help you avoid legal issues with police. They often look for reasons to patrol their areas.

So keep it in perspective and of course…be safe, be smart and call us when you need us!