Frequently Asked Questions II - Salt Lake City Criminal Defense Lawyer
- Can I lose my driver license for conviction on possession/consumption of alcohol by a minor in Utah?
- What should I do if a police detective wants to interview me about a crime?
- Can I be charged for having a gun in my car if police also find marijuana?
- Is a marijuana DUI charge more serious than a regular alcohol DUI in Utah?
- Can I be charged with drug possession in Utah if someone else has already taken the blame?
- What should I do if I get a DUI citation in Utah?
- Can I say no if a police officer asks to search my car?
- Can I be charged with shoplifting in Utah for something a friend stole?
- Can I be given immunity if I am forced to testify in a Utah criminal case?
- What possible enhancements can apply to a Utah DUI charge?
- How long does it take to get my criminal record expunged in Utah?
- What happens if a victim fails to appear in court to testify in a Utah criminal case?
- Can a Utah shoplifting case be dismissed if I accidentally took something from a store?
- Can I be charged with possession in Utah if a passenger brings drugs into may car?
- Can I handle my criminal case without traveling to Utah if I live out of state?
- Do I need an attorney at an arraignment hearing in a Utah criminal case?
- How long will someone be in jail for a probation violation in Utah?
- Do Utah criminal defense attorneys offer payment plans and options?
- Is there a way to keep a Utah shoplifting charge off my record?
- What can happen if I am caught stealing from my employer in Utah?
- Can I be charged with DUI in Utah if I am on private property?l
- Can criminal charges be dismissed in Utah after a judge dismisses the case?
- How long can police keep a criminal investigation open in Utah?
- Can I be charged with DUI in Utah if I am not driving?
- What can I do to clean my criminal record in Utah?
- Can I be pulled over for driving below the speed limit?
- Can a police officer in Utah refuse to let me see evidence he says proves I am guilty?
- Can I still choose to hire an attorney if I originally told the judge I would represent myself in a Utah criminal case?
- Can police search a vehicle just because the driver has a prior drug conviction?
- Can I keep an employer from seeing my felony conviction in Utah?
- Are synthetic cannabinoids (spice) legal in Utah?
- Do I have to give my name to a police officer if asked?
- Can I be convicted for attempting to commit a crime I did not complete?
- How is conspiracy to commit a crime charged in Utah?
- What is a charge of criminal solicitation in Utah?
- Will my driver license be suspended for custodial interference conviction?
- Does Salt Lake County Pre-Trial Services cost taxpayers too much?
- Are polygraph examination results admissible in a Utah criminal case?
- What is the definition of "possession" in a Utah drug case?
- How much good time can I earn on a jail sentence?
- What are my rights during a consensual police encounter in Utah?
- Should I plead guilty at arraignment in a Utah criminal case?
- Do I need to request a DLD hearing for a DUI citation if I have an out-of-state driver license?
- Can an attorney present evidence from a witness who is lying?
Find more attorney answers to Utah criminal defense questions, links to other criminal defense information, or contact us directly to schedule an initial consultation.
- Defendant Information
- Choosing an Attorney
- Avoiding Common Mistakes
- First-Time
Offenders
- Repeat
Offenders
- Out-of-State
Clients
- What to Expect in Court
- Potential Penalties
- Reasons for Hope
- Attorney Practice Areas
- Felonies / Misdemeanors
- District / Justice Courts
- Jury Trials / Bench Trials
- Pleas in Abeyance
- Expungements
- 402 Reductions
- Bench / Arrest Warrants
- Constitutional Violations
- Probation
- Appeals
- Juvenile Courts
- Selected Crimes
- Drug Crimes / Addiction
- DUI / Alcohol Crimes
- Property Crimes
- Financial / White Collar
- Violent Crimes
- Domestic Violence
- Aggravated
Crimes
- Selected Victories
Not Guilty - Client was charged with second-degree felony residential burglary and facing potential prison time. Investigation by the defense revealed multiple witnesses, missed by police and prosecutors, who supported client's claim of innocence. At trial, the jury returned a "not guilty" verdict on all charges.
Dismissed -
Client facing first-degree felony drug distribution
charge and potential life in prison. Charges were based on allegations that client had sold drugs to an undercover police officer, then made a full confession. Successful mitigation work
resulted in negotiated offer of misdemeanor plea-in-abeyance and
ultimate dismissal of case.
Dismissed - Client
facing first-degree felony charge and possible life in prison for child
kidnapping. Full defense
analysis of the case revealed critical legal flaws in the prosecution's case. When confronted with the defense legal analysis, the prosecutor agreed to dismiss the case outright without trial.
Dismissed at Preliminary Hearing
- Client
charged with aggravated robbery and facing life in prison. Full case analysis and consultation with client allowed the development of a strong defense strategy. Effective cross-examination of the alleged victim at the preliminary hearing resulted in an outright dismissal of all charges by the judge.
Released - Client
absconded for more than 10 years from felony probation with
Adult Probation and Parole. At an order to show cause hearing, prosecutor argued aggressively for prison. Based on effective mitigation efforts by the defense, the judge agreed to release client without further jail.
- Recent Posts
What
should I do if I am arrested for DUI? - Many DUI cases begin as minor traffic stops. But the consequences of a DUI conviction are much more serious than an ordinary traffic citation. If you are pulled over for a suspected DUI, you have specific important constitutional and statutory rights that can protect your. . . .
Can
I handle a Utah misdemeanor from out-of-state? - Even if you do not intend to take your case to trial, a misdemeanor criminal offense in Utah can require multiple court appearances to reach a resolution. If you have been charged with a crime in Utah, but are not a Utah resident, an experienced criminal defense attorney may be able to help you resolve
the case without returning to the state. . . .
Aggressive is good. Effective is better. The best defense strategy in any given criminal case can require in-depth analysis of the facts and a thorough understanding of applicable statutes, case law, and complex procedural and evidentiary rules. Having an experienced attorney on your side....
Strategy »
Choosing the best criminal defense attorney for your Utah criminal case can be the single most important decision you make. Before hiring any lawyer, there are a number of important factors to consider. The person you select as your criminal defense attorney will be responsible to defend your case and protect your rights....
Experience »
In Utah, even a "minor" misdemeanor conviction carries the potential for jail time and significant fines. A felony conviction carries the potential of lengthy prison terms and the various consequences that come with being labeled as a convicted felon. Never plead guilty without first finding out....
Consequences »
Being charged with a crime is not the same as being convicted. But just being charged can affect more than you may have imagined - jail, job, family, bills, rent or mortgage. It can feel like everything has gone wrong, and may you wonder if anything can go right. But facing criminal prosecution does not mean giving up hope....
Reasons to Hope »
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Serving Salt Lake, Davis, Weber, Utah, Cache, Tooele, Summit, Box Elder, and Wasatch Counties, and all of Utah.
Attorney Stephen Howard practices as part of the Canyons Law Group, LLC and Stephen W. Howard, PC.
Offices in Salt Lake and Davis Counties
340 East 400 South, Suite 25, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
952 S. Main St., Suite A, Layton, UT 84041
Call now to arrange for a confidential initial consultation with an experienced and effective Utah criminal defense lawyer.
In Salt Lake City, call 801-449-1409.
In Davis County, call 801-923-4345.
Stephen W. Howard, PC
Serving Salt Lake, Davis, Weber, Utah, Cache, Tooele, Summit, Box Elder, and Wasatch Counties, and all of Utah.
Offices in Salt Lake and Davis Counties
340 East 400 South, Suite 25, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
952 S. Main St., Suite A, Layton, UT 84041
Call now to arrange for a confidential initial consultation with an experienced and effective Utah criminal defense lawyer.
In Salt Lake City, call 801-449-1409.
In Davis County, call 801-923-4345.
Stephen W. Howard, PC
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