Canyons Criminal Defense Lawyers

Utah Criminal Defense Attorneys

Main Criminal Defense Navigation

  • Canyons Home
  • Defense Strategy
  • How We Can Help
    • Felony Defense
    • Misdemeanors
    • Jury Trials
    • Appeals
    • District Courts
    • Justice Courts
    • 402 Reductions
    • Pardon
    • Expungements
  • Your Defense Team
  • Contact Information

Criminal Defense Firm in Utah

Criminal Defense Attorneys
Serving Clients Statewide

Criminal Defense Law for Mobile Header

  • Criminal Defense
  • Contact Information
Home » Criminal Defense in Utah » faq » Can I represent myself if I am charged with a crime?

Can I represent myself if I am charged with a crime?

October 25, 2022 By Stephen Howard

Should I hire a defense attorney if I am facing criminal prosecution in Utah?

Hiring an attorney to handle your criminal defense case in Utah can be one of the most important decisions you make. Sometimes, the difference between success and disaster will depend on whether you have the right representation. If you are unsure as to whether you need an attorney, consider the following questions and issues.

Do you have legal training and experience needed to go up against a seasoned prosecutor?

Utah’s criminal courts use an adversarial system – prosecution v. defense. A defendant who chooses self-representation will be going up against a prosecutor who likely has handled hundreds or thousands of cases, who has spent thousands of hours in court, and has spent years studying the rules of evidence, criminal procedure, and substantive criminal law. An experienced criminal defense lawyer can be the key to evening the playing field.

Criminal statutes, rules of evidence, constitutional protections, and procedural rules that govern each stage of a criminal case are not always clear or straightforward. A proper understanding of these rules and statutes requires consideration of the sometimes lengthy history of case law and opinions from appellate courts in Utah, the federal court system, and the United States Supreme Court. It can take years of study and experience to develop the knowledge and skill necessary to successfully defend a criminal case in court.

You have the right to represent yourself and to present your own defense in court. But in most cases, you will be far better off if you hire an experienced criminal defense attorney to handle your case.

Are you prepared for the potential consequences?

A criminal conviction carries the potential for jail or prison time, and other consequences that can affect your life long after the court processes are completed.

The right to representation in a criminal case is guaranteed by both the United States Constitution and the Utah State Constitution. Courts consider this right to be so important that a judge will usually make inquiry into the person’s background, education, and understanding of the law before allowing a case to proceed with a pro se defendant.

For a simple traffic ticket, hiring an attorney may be overkill. But in most criminal cases, the assistance of an experienced criminal attorney is critical.

Finding a Criminal Defense Attorney in Salt Lake City, Utah

If you are facing a criminal charge in Utah, contact us now to schedule your initial consultation. See the difference an experienced criminal defense attorney can make for your case.

Filed Under: Criminal Defense in Utah, faq

Related….

  • Criminal Charges for Choosing Your Child's Therapist?
    Criminal Charges for Choosing Your Child's Therapist?
    Who chooses your child's therapist in Utah if your child is the victim of abuse? As a parent, is it your choice? Or does the government decide? And can your choice to switch therapists be used as evidence that you are committing felony witness tampering? Imagine yourself in the following scenario, as a single parent with full parental rights and full legal custody of your minor child:** **Details presented here have been changed or omitted to protect the innocent and to maintain client confidentiality. Government-Funded Treatment for Your Child You learn that your child has been abused by a family…
  • Entrapment Defense in Utah
    Entrapment Defense in Utah
    An entrapment defense can form an important part of a successful criminal defense strategy in Utah. To understand entrapment, we can use fishing as an analogy. A hook is not part of a fish's normal diet. To get a fish to bite, you have to dress up the hook with bits of feather or hair or thread. Fool the fish and make it think the hook is really food, and you might reel in a big one. Similarly, police might try to use bait or tricks or persuasion to get a person to commit a crime even though that person…
  • Lineup Procedures in Criminal Cases
    Lineup Procedures in Criminal Cases
    Lineup identifications are a common investigative tool used by Utah police. Photo lineups and in-person lineups present different potential problems.

Call a Utah Attorney

Call a Utah Criminal Attorney in Davis and Salt Lake Counties


Find Utah Criminal Law Help

Paragraph Spacer

5-Star Reviews for Utah Criminal Defense

5-Star Client Reviews

“. . . A staff of first class lawyers, very professional, honest, and above all dedicated 100%. . . . I recommend them.”


For the People – For Attorneys

Utah Attorney Protecting Liberty Rights

Knowing what you are facing in a Utah criminal prosecution is critical in choosing the right attorney to defend your rights. Articles in this section provide imformation about Utah's criminal justice system that each person should know. Click to learn more.

Important Criminal Defense Information for Utah Attorneys

The "For Attorneys" section provides tips and articles from the Canyons team intended to assist Utah defense attorneys improve their knowledge base and hone the skills needed to successfully represent clients facing criminal prosecution. These materials must be considered in context of relevant constitutional provisions, procedural rules, case law, and statutes. Reliance on these materials by individuals without the assistance of an experienced attorney is not recommended.

Contact Form 7

    Contact a Utah Criminal Lawyer Now





    CONTACT US

    Case Results – Select Victories in Utah Criminal Defense

    Victories in Utah Criminal Defense Cases

    Client faced felony charges for allegedly using a gun to menace another driver during road rage incident. Defense trial strategy demonstrated that the alleged victim was the likely aggressor and that client had taken reasonable action to defend himself.

    Contractor client was accused of theft for alleged misappropriation of customers’ funds following delays in cabinetry work. Case was bound over for trial following preliminary hearing. Successful motion to quash demonstrated that the legal theory supporting the government’s theft charge was flawed and required dismissal. Court granted dismissal.

    Client faced first-degree felony charges for selling drugs to undercover police officer. Mitigating evidence gathered by defense relating to client’s youth, family support, treatment options, and lack of prior history was pivotal in convincing prosecutor to allow an abeyance agreement to a single misdemeanor count. Case was ultimately dismissed.

    Utah CLE Events / Calendar for Criminal Defense Attorneys

    For Utah Lawyers

    Canyons Law Group defense team presents on topics relating to internet crimes, including: prosecutor's constitutional discovery obligations; digital technology issues in discovery; police practices in internet "sting" cases; statutory history and interpretation for defense; and more.
    ↽⇀

    Contact Canyons Law Group directly to register. Space is limited.
    ↽⇀

    One hour MCLE credit for Utah attorneys pending approval.

    • Felonies
    • Misdemeanors
    • District Courts
    • Justice Courts

    Constitutional – Utah Defense Attorneys

    Fifth Amendment Miranda RIghts

    Constitutional Rights

    P Spacer

    • Team Strategy
    • Jury Trials
    • Appeals
    • Expungements

    Constitutional Rights Legal Education

    Criminal Defense Attorneys Utah - Constitutional Rights

    Fourth Amendment Rights Attorney


    Search for Utah Criminal Law Information

    Contact Information for Utah Criminal Defense Lawyers

    Canyons Law Group, LLC
    Offices in Salt Lake and Davis Counties
    Serving Clients Statewide

    952 South Main St., Suite A
    Layton, UT 84041

    560 South 300 East, Suite 200
    Salt Lake City, UT 84111

    801-449-1409

    Utah Criminal Defense Locations

    Serving Northern Utah and the Wasatch Front
    Salt Lake, Davis, Weber, Cache, Tooele, Summit, Box Elder, Morgan, and Wasatch Counties

    Serving Central and Southern Utah
    Washington, Iron, Kane, Sevier, Sanpete, Juab, and Carbon Counties

    Make Online Payment

    Payments for Utah Attorneys
    • EnglishEnglish
    • EspañolEspañol
    Criminal Defense Page Archve
    Sitemap

    Copyright © 2010–2023 · Canyons Law Group, LLC · Stephen W. Howard, PC

    This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.