Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (a DUI) is usually a class B misdemeanor with a maximum jail time of 180 days and a maximum fine of $1,500.00 plus an 85% surcharge.
A first time DUI offender is required to spend two nights in jail, although it is possible in some cases to complete community service hours in lieu of jail.
Last weekend, a 15-year-old juvenile who may have been under the influence of alcohol lost control of the vehicle he was driving and it ended up overturned on the side of the road. Supposedly several teens and young adults had been at a club in Salt Lake, and the 15-year-old was part of the group. The teen was allegedly given the keys to the vehicle by the 21-year-old owner who stated that he’d had too much to drink himself.
Photo: Joe Anderson
There were several passengers in the car, but fortunately none were seriously injured. The teen is being investigated for driving under the influence of alcohol, not being a licensed driver and being an alcohol-restricted driver.
In Utah, an alcohol-restricted driver is any person under the age of 21. A person who commits this offense is guilty of a class B misdemeanor. Under “normal” conditions, committing a DUI is a class B misdemeanor. However, when someone in the vehicle is injured, the charge could be increased to a class A misdemeanor.
Since the young man in question is a juvenile, his case will likely be handled in a Utah juvenile court. Juvenile courts are usually rehabilitative in nature, and this young man will presumably be helped in a fashion that will encourage not indulging in alcohol and associating with other kids and young adults who will be positive influences.
If you are helping a child who’s involved in the juvenile justice system, you should contact a Utah juvenile defense attorney as soon as possible. Having an attorney represent your child will help make sure that he or she is treated fairly and respectfully. We recognize the fact that children will sometimes make mistakes, but that by no means puts them beyond the reach of amendment.
We know you love and value your child and want to see the best happen for him. Call an attorney today and help put your child on the road to having a positive life.
If you need to have a great example for showing your kids that crime truly doesn’t pay, we’re here to help you by listing some typical-and not-so-typical juvenile court fines. In this article, we’ve included the charges for fines for some of the more frequently-committed juvenile crimes.
Photo: Charles LeBlanc
• A DUI charge that involves drugs or alcohol and bodily injury comes with a hefty $757 fine and a mandatory court appearance.
• An open container of alcohol in a vehicle and/or consumption of alcohol brings with it a $97 fine, and it will run $47 to drive around with automobile lights on bright or not have lights on at all when appropriate.
• Following too closely in a vehicle will cost you (or your juvenile) $57.
• Leaving the scene of an accident where there are injuries costs $192, and that’s just the fine paid to the court. All the other problems involved in a hit-and-run will be even worse.
• Littering or throwing a burning substance each come with a $132 price tag.
• Did you realize that driving over a fire hose is an infraction that could cost $207? Don’t feel too bad. Most other people probably don’t know that, either.
• There are some interesting bicycle violation fines, too. Being involved in a speeding contest may cost $48. Also, don’t ride a bike attached to a moving vehicle on a highway. Aside from the potential physical consequences, that violation comes with a $48 fine.
• If your child likes to fish, be sure he leaves the house accompanied by a license. An official fishing license is a lot less expensive than a $93 fine. Don’t let him use explosives to fish with either. That would cost $93, and possibly an arm or other body part.
While some of these examples might make you chuckle, ultimately we hope that you will share this information with your kids to remind them that following the law is their best choice. Paying juvenile court fines isn’t pleasant for you or your children. We know that some kids will make other choices in spite of your best efforts, though, and that is why there are Utah juvenile defense attorneys who will help you with any legal questions you may have.
It is mandatory in all DUI convictions, which includes juvenile DUI’s, to take a standard DUI education class. In a simple marijuana possession case, a Juvenile Judge may order a minor to take a short workshop on the harmful effects of drugs. In serious juvenile felony cases a drug program is often ordered as a condition of probation. There are two types of drug program treatments; inpatient and outpatient. Inpatient treatment is for those who need a more intensive program and may require a minimum stay of four months. Outpatient treatment is for those whose treatment is less severe.
Replace doubt with confidence and contact Salt Lake Juvenile Defense Attorney Clayton Simms at 801-359-0404 
