Utahns cleared of DUI accusations are forced to pay to get their licenses back

LOGAN, Utah — Amy Olsen has her driving privilege again now, however it price her $255. For her, it’s a irritating ordeal that started months earlier when a trooper pulled her over.

“Oh, you’re performing humorous,” Olsen stated a Utah trooper instructed her when he stopped her in downtown Logan. He ran her by way of a discipline sobriety check.

Olsen stated she doesn’t have nice stability and she or he stumbled.

“I don’t drink. By no means finished medicine. I’ve by no means drank. I come from a really spiritual household,” she stated.

The trooper didn’t purchase it and cited her for driving underneath the affect and hauled her off to jail.

“I don’t know if I may course of it. It was so surreal,” Olsen stated.

What was not surreal had been the very actual penalties, together with an instantaneous suspension of her driving privilege.

Olsen had her vindication in court docket. Blood, urine, and breath exams all got here again clear and the case towards her was dropped. All costs dismissed.

So why does she nonetheless must pay to get again a driving privilege?

“That is what actually is tough for me to course of,” she stated.

We reached out to the state’s Driver License Division a number of instances to ask about all of this. They refused to supply anyone to talk to it on digital camera however in a written assertion, cited Utah regulation.

“All Driver’s License charges have been set by the Legislature,” a spokesperson wrote, including the regulation, “particularly states that even after a court docket dismissal, the driving force is required to pay the license reinstatement charges.” 

When requested particularly if the division thinks the regulation is “applicable,” they declined to say.

Digging deeper, it appears Olsen isn’t alone in being cleared however nonetheless being pressured to pay. Based on the 18th Annual DUI Report back to the Utah Legislature from the Utah Fee on Felony and Juvenile Justice, right here in Utah, when a “DUI-related case” goes to court docket, 21.1% are both dismissed, the prosecutor declines prosecution, or the defendant is discovered not responsible.

That’s multiple in 5 who’re cleared of the crime however will nonetheless must pay to get their driving privilege again.

Olsen, and her husband, Jeff, say they’re utilizing their expertise to advocate for change. They consider harmless individuals shouldn’t must pay when troopers get it fallacious.

They’re now working with their state consultant, who’s trying on the regulation.

For now, in Utah, if you’re charged with a DUI, anticipate to pay, whether or not you’re responsible or not.