27
Jul

3 Ways to Handle a Traffic Ticket in Utah

Although we always recommend hiring an attorney for any legal matters, it’s understandable that you may want to resolve your traffic ticket on your own. Here are a few tips: 1. Pay the ticket. If it’s too bothersome to go to court, you can pay the fine online or contact the court. Keep in mind […]

21
Mar

What are the three field sobriety tests in Utah?

Touching the nose, counting, or reciting the alphabet backwards. Although you may have seen them performed on TV, these are not valid field sobriety tests in Utah. There are three field sobriety tests a Utah police officer may conduct when suspecting a DUI—three standardized field sobriety tests adopted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration […]

17
Mar

Understanding plea bargaining: the basics

Not every criminal case goes through the process of a lengthy trial. Defendants often resolve their case through a plea bargaining agreement.  Let’s look into the plea bargain process in Utah, when it is available, and its pros and cons on sentencing. What is a plea bargaining? A plea bargain or “plea offer,” is the […]

28
Feb

Driving with prescription drugs: Why is being impaired with legal drugs illegal?

Generally, it’s illegal to drive under the influence of alcohol and drugs. But do you know that “drugs” under these laws refer to legal drugs as well? Let’s discuss why driving with prescription drugs in your system can be illegal and how you can stay safe and avoid DUI charges. Why is driving with prescription […]

28
Feb

“Objection, hearsay!”: What it means and why you hear it in court

If you watched the Heard-Depp defamation trial, you might have found the heated arguments and “hearsays” between the lawyers funny. But have you ever wondered what “hearsay” or “hearsay evidence” means while chuckling at the drama? Why do lawyers raise these objections, and what makes a statement “hearsay evidence”? In this article, we’ll answer all […]

22
Aug

Getting that extra $25,000 (UIM insurance)

Last week, we settled a personal injury claim for $25,000.00. This amount was in addition to the money our client had already received from the other (at-fault) driver’s insurance. He had been very injured in the car accident and needed the extra money to pay his medical bills. How did we get him the extra $25,000.00? […]

23
Jun

Speeding and Aggressive Driving Cause Accidents

Every day in Utah, there are 143 crashes, with 61 people injured and 1 person killed, according to the most recent Utah Crash Summary report, issued by the Department of Public Safety. In 2011, there were 52,287 total reported traffic crashes, with 22,325 people injured and 243 people killed. While those numbers are high, in 2011 traffic deaths were […]

07
May

Bad Weather? Utah Law says “Drive Below the Speed Limit”

Come rain, snow or sandstorm, Utahans have been hitting the roads—and hitting each other—this past week.  It’s no surprise that car crashes increase with bad weather.  If you’ve found yourself driving in these conditions, keep in mind the law may require you to drive under the posted speed limit. Utah law says: “A person may not operate a vehicle […]