Drunk Driving | Juvenile Crimes | Other Offenses

The offense that is most likely to end in a driver’s license suspension is a DUI charge. There is a lot of language in Utah law discussing what suspensions can be handed out and what suspensions must be handed out when it comes to a drunk driving offense. The other area that most commonly involves license suspension is juvenile crimes such as Minor in Possession, or Minor Consumption. Most other offenses that could have driver’s license implications are simply calculated on the point system previously mentioned.

Keeping Your License | Utah Criminal Defense Attorney

If you have been charged with a DUI or a juvenile crime then it is important to speak with an attorney at Utah Defenders to find out what kind of effects a conviction could have on you. You most likely have no desire to lose your license and as such you need an attorney to help you defend yourself. In a lot of situations it may be impossible to get out of a license suspension but with the help of council you may be able to reduce the duration of the suspension. Call or email us today to set up a free consultation.

While West Jordan police obtained a search warrant, there are serious legal questions about the authority the police exercised in the investigation. The cops claimed the entire storage unit smelled like marijuana, and have now seemingly turned the case over to the feds. The money was all in $100 and $20 bills. A federal judge who initially awarded the money to the state and barred any further claims to the case, vacated that decision and has now allowed the owners to bring their claim for return of the property.

Salt Lake City Forfeiture Attorney

If you have been charged with a crime and/or have property seized by the police, you should speak to a Salt Lake City forfeiture attorney as soon as possible. You only have a limited time in which to bring a claim for the return of your assets, don’t miss any deadlines, call and speak to a member of the Utah Defenders legal team immediately. We have helped numerous individuals in cases similar to the case mentioned above.

Utah Defenders – Criminal Defense Lawyers

At Utah Defenders, we understand that having a large sum of cash does not mean you are guilty of any crime, nor does it mean the state is legally justified in taking your property or money. We work hard on your behalf to protect you from the often over reaching and illegal activity of the state. Call and speak with one of criminal defense lawyers in Utah now at 801.618.1334.

Earlier this year the Salt Lake City Police vice squad was disbanded. Come to find out one of the reasons the vice squad may have been disassembled was because the vice officers themselves were engaging in vice.

In a recent report by the Salt Lake City Civilian Review Board at least one officer kissed the breast and nipples of a prostitution suspect because his head had no where else to go.  Sure…  At least three other officers violated the “no touch policy” and several officers were disciplined with letters of reprimand and at least one sergeant was place on temporary suspension.

What Are Vice Crimes?

Vice crimes in Utah are typically acts involving sex, alcohol, gambling, and/or human trafficking which the Legislature has deemed criminal in nature.  Prostitution, sexually oriented massage parlors, selling and distributing alcohol without a license, and other such related acts all fall under the vice category.  Many vice crimes have no victim as the criminal acts are engaged in between consenting adults, but that does not stop vice squads from arresting individuals for acting on their impulses.

Vice crimes can be either misdemeanors or felonies.  Offenses such as soliciting a prostitute or engaging in prostitution are typically class B misdemeanors for a first offense.  In any event, they carry jail time and city and county prosecutors prosecutor such crimes with vigor because they believe it their duty to prevent people from doing “bad” things even if there is not victim.

What To Do If Charged With A Vice Crime

The criminal defense attorneys at our firm are experienced vice crime defenders. We’ve seen anything and everything that you can imagine and know how to best prepare a defense against sex-related crimes, gambling charges, alcohol related offenses and any other vice crime the state can conjure up against you.  Call our attorneys anytime at 801.618.1334 for a free consultation and get us on board to protect your rights.

Many people in Utah who encounter police are very nervous  to speak with them for various different reasons.  Most people make the mistake of telling police too much when being questioned.  Utah criminal defense attorneys repeatedly tell clients and potential clients to never speak with a police officer without a Utah criminal defense attorney present.  The fifth amendment of the United States Constitution protects individuals from self-incrimination meaning that people under investigation for a crime such as marijuana possession or DUI are not required to speak to the police.  The right to remain silent, however, does not mean a person can remain completely silent.  People stopped by police for a traffic offense or in another lawful manner are required to five police personal identifying information such as the person’s name, address, and birth date.  A person who fails to comply with this requirement may be arrested and in need of the services of a Utah criminal defense attorney.

False Personal Information to a Police Officer is a Misdemeanor

Because people are required to give personal identifying information, Utah law makes it a crime for a person to give false personal information to a police officer.  People will often give false personal information to a police officer because they believe a warrant is out for their arrest, or they otherwise do not want the police to know who they are.  Giving false personal information to a police officer will only make a situation worse, however, because the person faces a class A misdemeanor or a class C misdemeanor in addition to the warrant they are trying to avoid.

A person is guilty of giving false personal information to a police officer if the individual knowingly gives a false name, birth date, or address to a police officer with the intent of misleading him or her.  It is a class C misdemeanor if the person gives random or made up information, and it is a class A misdemeanor if the person gives information with the intent of leading the police officer to believe that the person is another actual person.  Often times a person will give a sibling’s name in hope of avoiding arrest or other trouble from a police officer.

Protect Your Rights if You Have Been Charged with Giving False Personal Information to a Police Officer

If you are questioned by police for any reason, remain silent unless you have a Utah criminal defense attorney by your side and only give your personal identifying information.  If you have given false personal information to a police officer and are now being charged with that offense, contact a Utah criminal defense attorney from Utah Defenders.  Our lawyers will fight hard to protect your rights and help you from making any more mistakes.  Contact us for a consultation by calling 801.893.1787 today.

This week Trooper Lisa Steed came under fire again, this time in the court system.  Judge Kouris of the Third District Court in West Jordan Utah found that Ms. Steed gave false testimony in a court hearing when questioned about her reprimands she received from the Utah Highway Patrol concerning her overly aggressive behavior in investigating DUIs over the course of many years.

Trooper Steed once tased a man she was investigating for DUI while he was sitting in his car. A civil rights complaint subsequently followed and the State of Utah settled with Steed’s victim for $40,000.  Ms. Steed also once arrested a man with cerebral palsy while he was riding a motorbike.  Unfortunately, it appears that Ms. Steed earned Trooper of the Year under false pretenses…or maybe it just takes violating the rights of criminal defendants to make Trooper of the Year.

Cops Lie

The unfortunately truth is that cops lie…a lot.  Not all cops, of course, but our experience has taught us that you have to be very careful anytime you encounter a police officer.  Ms. Steed’s actions are unjustifiable, but she only made things worse when she decided to lie in court about the disciplinary actions taken against her when her overly aggressive investigatory tactics came to light.

Charged with A DUI?

If you have been charged with a DUI no one can protect you better than our DUI attorneys.  Our law firm takes special pleasure in discovering when law enforcement has acted badly and we do everything we can to make sure that bad apples in law enforcement are held accountable for what they have done.

Call us at 801. 618.1334 for a free consultation.  Don’t fall victim to overly aggressive law enforcement officers and let our attorneys have the DUI experience you need to protect your rights and driving privileges.

The United States Constitution protects many individuals from government abuses.  One such right protected is the right from self-incrimination.  This right is embodied in the fifth amendment to the U.S. Constitution.  The fifth amendment reads in part that no person shall “be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself.”  This means that a person does not have to testify against himself at a trial, or say anything to police at any time during an investigation.  The person has a right to remain silent.  Despite this protection though, and no matter how hard a Utah criminal defense lawyer tries to keep people from incriminating themselves, people continually tell police information and provide evidence that destines them to a criminal conviction.  Many times people think that if they cooperate with police and self-incriminate themselves then they will somehow get off easier.  This is seldom the case.

Stay Silent in Marijuana Possession Cases

Drug crimes, especially marijuana possession, is one of the most common crimes people self-incriminate themselves in.  Usually people will get pulled over while driving for a traffic crime, or a police officer may come to a home on a report of a violent crime but end up investigating a person for marijuana possession because of the smell emanating from a car or home.  An officer will say something like “Where’s the weed?” or “Hand over the weed and make this easier on yourself.”  A person has no obligation to hand over the weed though.  Too often, however, people not only hand over the marijuana but also give an officer paraphernalia such as a bong.  A person is now facing charges of marijuana possession and drug paraphernalia because they wanted to cooperate to with police.

After someone has self-incriminated himself, there isn’t as many options for a Utah criminal defense lawyer to use to defend him of the marijuana and drug paraphernalia charges.  This is why people who are being investigated for a drug crime need to simply stay silent.  They can simply tell police that they wish to remain silent and will not speak to them without a Utah criminal defense lawyer.

Remain Silent Until You Hire a Utah Criminal Defense Lawyer

If you are being investigated for a crime, such as marijuana possession or drug paraphernalia, remain silent until you hire a Utah criminal defense lawyer from Utah Defenders.  Our attorneys will protect you from making statements or providing evidence that will incriminate you.  The police may trick you into believing that it will be easier for you if you just confess but don’t believe them.  For help with your drug crime charges call Utah Defenders at 801.893.1787.

If you get a DUI in Utah you stand at risk for a number of severe consequences.  Some of the most severe consequences are those associated with your driver’s license. Our criminal defense lawyers are committed to fighting hard to preserve your driving privileges.  Call us at 801.618.1334 to speak with an attorney and learn more about how your driving privileges may be affected by a Utah DUI.

Within 30 days after being cited for a DUI you have a right to have a hearing with the driver’s license division.  You must request within 10 days of your arrest.

At your driver’s license hearing there will be a hearing officer representing the driver’s license division. She will ask the officer who arrested you various questions to determine if you were driving under the influence.

Driver’s License Penalties if You’re Over 21

If the hearing officer determines that there was enough evidence to find that you were driving under the influence your license will be suspended for 120 days on a first offense and for two years on a subsequent offense that occurs within 10 years of a prior offense. See UCA 53-3-23.

Driver’s License Penalties if You’re Between 19 and 21

If you are between 19 and 21 years old and you are found to have been driving under the influence your license will be suspended for six months on a first offense or until you are 21 or for two years, whichever is longer, on a subsequent offense occurring within 10 years of a previous offense.

Driver’s License Penalties if You’re Under 19

If you are under 19 years old and you are found to have been drinking and driving you’re license will be suspended for at least 2 years on a first offense and for two years or until you are 21, whichever is longer, on a subsequent offense within 10 years of a previous DUI.

Whatever your situation we can help.  We are experienced Utah DUI Lawyers who have a very successful record saving driver’s licenses for our clients. Call our law firm at 801.618.1334 for a free consultation.

Child Custody issues in Utah are messy and are often hotly contested between parents.  One parent receives custody of a child which makes the other parent extremely upset.  Because emotions run high in child custody cases, the Utah legislature has passed a law giving parents protections under the criminal law of Utah.  Usually, police do not interfere in domestic matters such as child custody, but the Utah law of custodial interference allows police to cite or arrest a parent or any other person who interferes in custodial time of a child.  A Utah criminal defense lawyer from Utah Defenders can help those accused of custodial interference.

Custodial Interference Can be a Misdemeanor or a Felony

A person commits the crime of custodial interference when the person intends to interfere with visitation or custody by another person by taking, enticing, concealing, detaining, or withholding the child from another person who is legally entitled to have visitation or custody with the child.

Custodial interference is usually a class B misdemeanor but it is an enhanceable offense.  An enhanceable offense means that a person who is committed of it multiple times can face a stiffer charge if charged with it again.  If a person commits custodial interference and has been convicted of it twice in the previous two years, the charge will rise from a class B misdemeanor to a class A misdemeanor.  It can also be a third degree felony if during the course of the custodial interference, the person charged with the crime removes, causes removal, or directs removal of the child from Utah.  A prosecutor may even file kidnapping charges too.  Because the charges for custodial interference ranges from a misdemeanor to a felony it is important for those facing this charge to immediately contact a Utah criminal defense lawyer from Utah Defenders.

Contact a Custodial Interference Lawyer Today

If you have been charged with custodial interference, or another child related crime such as child abuse, contact a Utah criminal defense lawyer from Utah Defenders.  Our attorneys know the law and know how to best represent you in your criminal case.  There are different affirmative defenses you can claim in your interference case and our lawyers will find out what defense will work best for you.  Contact our attorneys through email or by calling 801.893.1787.

Utah Child Abuse Laws

Child abuse is a very serious offense and very few prosecutors feel obligated to give a deal to someone who has injured a defenseless child. Of course if even transpired in such a manner that a person did in fact commit the crime of child abuse they should receive their punishment, however it’s not always that simple. Because of that everyone deserves their day in court to tell their side of the story and fight for their rights, and that is where a defense attorney can help. A Utah criminal defense attorney can help make sure that a client’s story is told and that they receive a fair chance at clearing their name or make sure that they aren’t being charged beyond what they actually did.

Utah Criminal Defense Attorney | Violent Crimes

If you have been charged with Child Abuse or some other violent crime, then it is important that you call an attorney immediately. You are facing a very serious charge and could be severely punished, so if you believe you are innocent or that you are being charged with something beyond what you did then call Utah Defenders today. We will help defend your rights and get you the best outcome available.

Deal Making

A large part of criminal defense work happens way before anyone gets before a judge in a trial setting. Probably the most beneficial part of hiring a defense attorney is having someone who understands the law and has a relationship with the prosecutors to a point that the lawyer can make a compromise to get a charged dismissed, reduced, or held in abeyance. The benefit of plea agreements is that you can be sure of the outcome of your case and you don’t have to roll the dice and risk a conviction of the full offense before the judge.

While going to trial may be beneficial depending on the circumstances of the case and the idea of winning the trial and being declared innocent is always enticing the alternative is being found guilty and possibly receiving the full punishment of law. One of the better options that defense attorneys fight for is called a plea in abeyance, this is a plea deal where the prosecution agrees to hold a guilty plea on the back burner so to speak while the defendant completes certain terms (fines, classes, good behavior probation, etc..). Then if the defendant completes the terms and the time requirement the case is dismissed.

Hire Us Today – Utah Criminal Defense Attorney

If you are facing criminal charges in Utah such as a DUI, sex crime, or drug crime then there really is no time to waste, call the lawyers at Utah Defenders today so we can get started on protecting your rights. We will fight to protect your interests and do all we can to make sure you get the best outcome available. We will help you understand your options and the positives and negatives of each. Call us today to set up a free consultation.