Utah's Premier Ticket Law Firm
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3 Easy Step Process
Joseph Jardine
Attorney At Law
Get Started With Our Simple Process
Step 1
Answer A Few Questions
Step 2
Upload A Photo Of The Ticket
Step 3
We Get Started On Your Case
Fines & Penalties
Traffic fines in Utah vary by court. If you do not pay on time, you will be charged additional late fees. Refer to your traffic ticket to determine your exact ticket amount, deadlines, and penalties.
Utah's Department of Public Safety (DPS) operates under a driving record point system. Depending on the number of points you receive within 3 years and your age, your license will be suspended as follows
| Driver's Age | Points | Suspension Length |
|---|---|---|
| Under 21 years of age | 70 or more points | 1 month to 1 year |
| 21 years of age or older | 200 or more points | 3 months to 1 year |
Some major violations include:
- Reckless driving.
- Driving under the influence (DUI) of drugs or alcohol.
Points For Various Traffic Ticket Violations
| Violation | Points |
|---|---|
| Speeding 1-10 mph over the limit | 35 |
| Speeding 11-20 mph over the limit | 55 |
| Speeding 21+ mph over the limit | 75 |
| Failure to Yield Right-of-Way | 60 |
| Following Too Close | 60 |
| Wrong Way on a One-Way Street | 60 |
| Impeding Traffic | 50 |
| Red light | 50 |
| Stop sign | 50 |
| Improper lookout | 50 |
| Improper passing | 50 |
| Improper turn | 50 |
| Negligent collision | 50 |
| Texting while driving | 50 |
| Reckless Driving | 80 |
| Careless Driving | 50 |
| Other moving violations | 40 |
Safe Driving Program
You can clear your own driving record by driving safe. When you drive 1 year without a moving traffic violation conviction, half the demerit points will be removed from your driving record.
If you complete a driver improvement course recommended by a Division Hearing Officer then 50 points may be removed from your driving record. Contact the court in the area in which you received the traffic ticket to ask if it has a list of approved courses or programs.
If you drive 2 consecutive years without a conviction, all points will be removed. Points for individual convictions are automatically removed from your record three years after the date of the violation.
Responding To Your Ticket
There are two ways to respond to your traffic ticket:
- Paying the fine
- Requesting a contested hearing
Regardless of plea, it must be entered before the ticket's due date. In most cases, this will be about 30 days from the infraction date.
Pay the ticket
Paying a Utah traffic ticket is an admission of guilt.
This means:
- You are waiving your right to challenge the traffic ticket in court.
- Depending on your UT driving record, the DPS may suspend your Utah driver's license.
- The traffic violation may cause an increase in your car insurance rates.
Requesting A Contested Hearing
If you want to plead “not guilty" to the violation, you can request a contested hearing at the relevant county court by checking the appropriate check box on your ticket and then mailing it in to the court.
Only 5%
Of Drivers Contest Their Traffic Tickets
Hiring An Attorney
Fighting your traffic ticket can help you avoid fines, license suspension, and increased insurance premiums. A traffic ticket attorney is a major asset in that fight. Typically, you can expect an attorney to:
- Request a contested hearing
- Request discovery for your case
- Represent you in court
- Negotiate with the prosecutor to have your charges dropped or reduced
Plea in Abeyance (P.I.A)
Our network of attorneys lookout for a Plea in Abeyance opportunity for your traffic ticket. A Plea in Abeyance says that you are guilty, but the points are not reported to the Utah Driver License Division and not assessed against your allowable 200 points so your license does not get suspended. If you successfully complete the probation for 6 to 12 months, the traffic ticket is dismissed.
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Peter D. Goodall
Attorney At Law
"I strive to be an accessible attorney for all Utah residents."
Joseph Jardine
Attorney At Law
"My familiarity with the courts makes me a valuable resource for every client."
Disclaimer: The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute an attorney-client relationship.