Utah Property Crimes - Salt Lake Defense Attorney
If you are charged with property crimes in Utah, you could be
facing jail, prison, and potentially thousands of dollars in fines. An
experienced Utah
criminal defense lawyer
can substantially improve your chances of success in defending your
case. Based in Salt Lake City, criminal attorney Stephen Howard has
successfully defended clients facing Utah property crimes including
robbery, theft, fraud, criminal mischief, and more.
Contact us today to schedule an initial consultation.
Elements of Property Crimes in Utah
Utah
property crimes generally involve taking, damaging, or destroying
property of another person. Criminal intent is a key element in most
Utah property crime cases. A person who damages or destroys property by
accident will not normally be guilty of a crime. A person who takes
property of another with the honest belief that he or she has the legal
right to possess that property is also not guilty of a crime. There is
still a potential for civil liability. But without proof of the
required criminal intent, mere evidence that property was taken,
destroyed, or damaged is not, by itself, sufficient to support a
criminal charge.
Potential Penalties for Utah Property Crimes
Property crimes in Utah can range in seriousness from minor
misdemeanors all the way to first-degree
felony charges. The punishments for property crimes can range from simple probation to life prison
terms.
For
many Utah property crime charges, the level of the
offense will depend on the value of the property involved. Charges
involving property or damage valued at less than $500 are normally
filed as class B misdemeanors. If the value is $500 or more but less
than $1,500, charges can be filed as class A misdemeanor. If the value
is more than $1,500 the charge can be filed as a third degree felony.
If the value is more than $5,000 then a second degree felony can be
filed. Under some circumstances, the charge can be enhanced (based on
the use of a weapon, participation in a group criminal act, etc.) to
the first degree felony level with the potential for life in prison.
There
are certain offenses that are considered felonies
regardless of the value of the property. Crimes such as theft of a
motor vehicle or theft of a firearm are automatic second degree
felonies regardless of the value of the items taken.
Choosing a Utah Criminal Defense Attorney in Salt Lake City
If you are facing prosecution in Utah for a property crime, having an
experienced criminal defense attorney on your side can make all the
difference in your case. As a
Utah
criminal attorney, Stephen Howard has defended
thousands of serious criminal cases. His
track
record includes not guilty verdicts or dismissals in cases
including
aggravated
robbery,
burglary,
theft,
forgery,
fraud,
credit
card fraud, and more.
Based in
Salt
Lake City, criminal defense attorney Stephen Howard is
pleased to offer services to clients throughout Utah.
Contact us now to
schedule an initial consultation and case analysis.