Under Utah law, crimes that can be punished with more than one year in prison are classified as felonies. Misdemeanors carry a maximum penalty of one year or less. Felonies often carry more potential consequences beyond just the court case. A felony conviction can make it more difficult to get a job, rent an apartment, gen professional licensing, and much more. Misdemeanors can also carry collateral consequences. (See, Utah Code 76-3-103, 104.) Talk with an attorney about your specific charges to better understand what you are facing and what possible defenses and options you may have.
The best criminal defense attorneys insist on fair courtroom procedures that respect clients’ rights.