A DUI arrest in Ogden is disorienting. Between the stop, the booking, and getting home, most people are exhausted and anxious — and it's easy to assume there's nothing to do until the first court date. That assumption is a mistake. The first 48 hours after a DUI arrest in Weber or Davis County are when some of the most important, time-sensitive steps happen. Here's a practical checklist.
1. Understand the 10-Day License Deadline
This is the single most urgent item. Under Utah Code § 53-3-223, a DUI arrest starts a separate administrative process at the Driver License Division (DLD) that can suspend your license — and you generally have only 10 calendar days from the arrest to request a hearing. Miss that window and the suspension can take effect automatically, whatever happens in the criminal case.
2. Write Down Everything While It's Fresh
Your memory of the stop is most accurate right now. Before the details fade, write down what happened, step by step:
- Where and when you were stopped, and why the officer said they pulled you over
- What you had to drink, if anything, and when — and when you last ate
- What tests you were asked to do (field sobriety tests, a portable breath test, a station breath or blood test) and what you agreed to
- What the officer said and did, and anything unusual about the stop
- The names and badge numbers on any paperwork you were given
These notes can matter a great deal later. Details that seem minor at 2 a.m. — the lighting, the weather, a medical condition, how instructions were given — can become important to your defense.
3. Gather Your Paperwork
Keep everything you were handed: the citation, any DLD notice, bail or release paperwork, and towing or impound documents. These papers usually contain your court date, the charges, and deadlines. Note your first court date immediately — DUI cases in this area are typically heard in the Ogden City Justice Court or the Weber County district courts, depending on the charge.
4. Be Careful What You Say — and Post
In the days after an arrest, it's natural to want to explain yourself. Resist that urge. Don't discuss the details of the arrest with anyone other than your attorney, and stay off social media about it. Posts, texts, and offhand comments can be used later and rarely help. There is no upside to talking about the case publicly.
5. Talk to a Defense Attorney Early
Because the most important early deadline (the 10-day DLD request) runs so fast, the value of calling a lawyer in the first day or two is real, not just reassurance. An attorney can file the license hearing request, tell you what to expect at your first court appearance, and start reviewing whether the stop, the testing, and the arrest were handled properly.
You don't have to have it all figured out before you call. That's what the case assessment is for.
If you're facing a recent DUI arrest in Ogden, Weber County, or Davis County, the sooner you talk to a defense attorney, the more options you have. Cardon Stuart offers a free, confidential case assessment — reviewed personally by an attorney — and we're available 24/7. We also serve Spanish-speaking clients (se habla español). Call (801) 627-1110.