DUI

Bugden & Isaacson, LLC, provides quality defense representation for individuals charged with crimes throughout the state of Utah. We have a particular wealth of experience representing clients who have been charged with drunk driving or driving under the influence (DUI). Our attorneys have successfully assisted clients in both criminal and administrative proceedings arising out of a drunk-driving arrest.

Under the Utah code, a DUI is defined as operating or being in actual physical control of an automobile while having a blood alcohol concentration of .08 grams or more, or while under the influence of alcohol or drugs to the extent that it renders the person incapable of safely operating a vehicle.

Mr. Bugden and Ms. Isaacson attended a training course in January of 2012 and became certified to administer standardized field sobriety tests. This knowledge helps them to effectively cross-examine officers in DUI cases.

Ms. Isaacson was able to get a .13 breath test DUI case dismissed in January of 2012 in Salt Lake City. She successfully challenged the evidence in support of her client's arrest. She argued that her client's medical problems compromised the reliability of the field sobriety tests. A judge in the Third District Court threw out the breath test and the case was completely dismissed.

In December of 2011, Ms. Isaacson represented a client charged with DUI and open container. She won an acquittal in the Salt Lake City Justice Court on both counts. Her client blew a .179 on the intoxilyzer. Three Salt Lake City police officers, a civilian witness and a trooper with the Utah Highway Patrol all testified against her client. Ms. Isaacson was able to persuade the jury that the breath test results were not reliable and that her client did not possess an open container.

In January of 2011, in the Murray City Justice Court, Ms. Isaacson won a DUI jury trial where the client blew a .137. Ms. Isaacson utilized audio recordings from previous hearings and the videotaped DUI investigation to persuade the jury to find her client not guilty.

Ms. Isaacson has won 6 DUI jury trials since 2009.

In January of 2011, Ms. Isaacson won a drivers license hearing for a client in Park City who was accused of hit and run and DUI. She successfully argued that the officer improperly performed field sobriety tests. Her client was able to keep his driving privileges.

Also in January of 2011, Ms. Isaacson won another drivers license hearing by arguing that her clients medical condition impaired his ability to perform field sobriety tests and because the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus was performed improperly. Again, her client was able to keep his license.

In September 2010, in the Salt Lake City Justice Court, Ms. Isaacson won an acquittal for a client in a jury trial. The client had refused a breath test. The arresting officer was a member of a DUI squad with extensive experience. The officer testified that the client performed very poorly on all the field sobriety tests. However, Ms. Isaacson was able to persuade the jury to find him not guilty on all charges.

In 2010, in Summit County, Mr. Bugden successfully defended a DUI refusal case where he was able to prevent an 18 month license revocation and obtain a complete dismissal of the DUI charge by arguing that there was insufficient evidence to support the arrest.

In March 2010, Ms. Isaacson persuaded a judge in the Salt Lake City Justice Court to suppress any evidence of blood tests in a case involving allegations of driving under the influence. Ms. Isaacson successfully argued that the trooper who stopped her client did not have sufficient evidence to place the driver under arrest and, therefore, any evidence obtained after his arrest would be excluded and suppressed. Her client was able to simply plead to a speeding ticket. The DUI was dismissed completely. The case involved a blood test result of .13.

In April 2010, Mr. Bugden persuaded a Salt Lake City Justice Court to suppress all evidence of field sobriety tests and a breath test when a police officer pulled over a driver leaving the parking lot of a bar. The Judge agreed that there was no lawful reason to pull the driver over. The DUI was dismissed.

In April 2010, Mr. Bugden and Mr. Anderson represented a client charged with DUI who had a blood alcohol content of 0.26. The firm successfully argued that that although the client was alcohol restricted and was required to have an ignition interlock, there was insufficient evidence to support the continuing detention of the driver. The blood test results were thrown out because the Judge ruled that the search was unlawful.

In 2009, Ms. Isaacson represented a defendant in a DUI matter in the Summit County Justice Court in Park City, Utah. Her client was accused of driving under the influence and refusing the breath test. Ms. Isaacson had previously prevailed before the Driver's License Division and had persuaded them not to take her client's driving privileges away. During trial in the criminal matter, she persuaded the judge to admit evidence of the Driver's .

In 2009, Mr. Bugden represented a DUI client who pulled away from the curb without using his blinker and pulling over too quickly to relieve himself on a tree near the road. The client declined all field sobriety tests but blew a .18 after his arrest. Mr. Bugden obtained a dismissal of the DUI by arguing there was insufficient evidence to arrest.

An arrest for DUI can have serious consequences. In 2009, penalties for first-time DUI offenders dramatically increased. Typically, a first offense results in a license suspension of 120 days. For a second or third offense, the license suspension will be in effect for two years. Also, a person convicted of DUI must have an ignition interlock device installed on his or her vehicle. Usually, anyone convicted of a DUI will be ordered to participate in mandatory alcohol education and treatment or assessment. Furthermore, any conviction for DUI can result in costly fines and jail time.

At Bugden & Isaacson, we understand what is at stake when you have been charged with a DUI. We can employ many legal tactics to fight your case, or to obtain a favorable plea agreement if you wish to make a plea. For example, in some cases it is possible to negotiate a reduction in charges, such as from a DUI to "impaired driving."

If you have been arrested for drunk driving or DUI, seek advice from an experienced DUI defense attorney. At Bugden & Isaacson, LLC, we have an outstanding trial record and we work tirelessly to achieve a satisfactory outcome in every case we take on. To speak with one of our DUI defense lawyers, contact us today at (855) 467-1700.