Salt Lake Criminal Defense Attorney Utah
Criminal Defense Attorney Stephen Howard
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Finding a Felony Defense LawyerChoosing a Misdemeanor Defense LawyerDrug and Alcohol Crimes Defense LawyerWhite Collar Defense Attorney for Utah ChargesAttorney for Expungements Reductions and PardonsDefendant Constitutional Rights Criminal LawyerBail and Bond Alternatives in UtahReasons for Hope Facing Criminal Charges

Pleading Guilty Without a Criminal Attorney

Should I plead guilty in a Utah misdemeanor case without an attorney?

You should never plead guilty or no contest in any Utah justice court or district court case without fully understanding your rights and the consequences of such a plea. The best way to learn what your rights are can be to consult with an experienced Utah criminal defense attorney.

Even if your charges are just based on a citation or ticket, once you plead guilty or no contest in a Utah court you give up some very important Constitutional rights and protections. Perhaps more important, by pleading guilty or no contest you subject yourself to some potentially serious consequences. Understanding these rights and the potential consequences of a plea is absolutely vital.

Even if you are seeking a quick resolution to your case and do not want to become involved in a drawn out legal fight, having counsel from an experienced criminal defense attorney can often lead to a better result and better long-term resolution.

Based in Salt Lake City, Stephen Howard provides legal services to clients throughout Utah. Contact us today for a confidential consultation with Utah criminal

What can happen if I enter a guilty or no contest plea in a Utah criminal case?

Consequences of Conviction in UtahThe first consequence of a guilty plea or no contest plea in a Utah case is the entry of a criminal conviction on your record. There are many criminal charges in Utah for which a police officer can issue a citation without arresting the person. In some cases, the person may not even realize that the citation represents a criminal charge. Entering a guilty plea or a no contest plea will result in the entry of a criminal conviction on your record.

Any criminal conviction carries the potential for jail time. Even just a class B misdemeanor can be punished with up to 180 days in jail. While many justice court cases may be resolved without actual jail time being served, a criminal conviction can still carry other collateral consequences.

For some criminal charges, a criminal conviction can affect driver license privileges, the right to carry a firearm, employment, professional licensing, and much more.

Can I just agree to a bail forfeiture and pay the fine?

This is one legal option for resolving a Utah citation. But before doing this, you should be aware that a voluntary bail forfeiture will be entered on your record as a conviction and treated as though you had entered a guilty plea in the case.

Agreeing to a voluntary bail forfeiture can save you a trip to court, and it may avoid the risk of jail. But a criminal conviction, even under a bail forfeiture, can impact other rights. Just as with any other criminal conviction, a conviction resulting from a bail forfeiture can affect professional licensing eligibility or employment, along with any other collateral consquence of an ordinary conviction. It may also affect future eligibility for expugement.

Finding a Utah Criminal Defense Attorney in Salt Lake

If you have been arrested or received a citation for a misdemeanor charge in Utah, it is important to seek advice from an experienced criminal defense attorney before deciding how to handle your case. The consequences of entering a plea just to "get it over with" can be severe, and in some cases irreversible.

With extensive experience handling both misdemeanor and felony criminal cases in Utah, defense attorney Stephen Howard has the knowledge, skills, and determination to help his clients get the results they need.

Based in Salt Lake City, Mr. Howard provides legal services to clients throughout Utah. Contact us today to arrange for a confidential consultation.


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  • Selected Victories
  • Criminal Defense Trial AttorneyNot Guilty - Client was charged with aggravated assault for alleged attack using broken bottle as a weapon. Despite the testimony of numerous prosecution witnesses, thorough defense investigation to support a self-defense claim resulted in acquittal by jury at trial.
  • Minor Possession Alcohol - MIP AttorneyDismissed - Minor in possession charge (MIP) was dismissed by prosecutor when defense analysis demonstrated that the police had failed to obtain necessary evidence against client. Police had raided a large party involving underage drinking. Several individuals were charged, but police did not obtain evidence showing that client had personally consumed or possessed alcohol. Case was dismissed.
  • Utah Expungement Lawyer Expunged - Client with prior conviction for violent felony was ineligible for expungement through the courts. A successful 2-step reduction restored expungement eligibility and ultimately led to the court's decision to grant the requested expungement.
  • Utah Burglary Attorney Not Guilty - Client was charged with residential felony burglary and theft charges. Effective cross-examination of alleged victim at preliminary hearing resulted in an admission by the alleged victim that the charges were based on a false report to police, made for the purpose of getting revenge against the defendant. Case was dismissed outright.
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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....

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Salt Lake Criminal Defense Attorney Profile Utah

Finding the right criminal defense lawyer for you Utah criminal case will be one of the 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....

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Conviction Consequences - Utah Criminal Defense

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....

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Utah Criminal Defense Attorney - Reasons to Hope

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....

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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
560 South 300 East, Suite 200, 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

The materials in this website are intended for informational purposes only, and are not legal advice. Viewing or responding to materials in this site does not create an attorney-client relationship. Read Full Disclaimer.