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 » Posts Archive » Box Elder County – Criminal Defense in Brigham City

Box Elder County – Criminal Defense in Brigham City

April 30, 2023 By Stephen Howard


Most Utah criminal cases in Box Elder County are handled in courts located in Brigham City. All felony and class A misdemeanor charges are handled in the First District Court for Box Elder County. Most class B and class C misdemeanor charges will be handled in the Box Elder County Justice Court in Brigham City. Any criminal conviction can carry serious consequences. Even misdemeanor charges carry the possibility of substantial jail time and expensive fines.

If you are facing criminal prosecution in Box Elder County, an experienced criminal defense attorney can be vital to helping you achieve the best results for your case. Based in Salt Lake City, criminal lawyer Stephen Howard provides legal services to clients throughout Utah, including Brigham City and Box Elder County. Contact us today to arrange for an initial consultation.

Defending Criminal Charges in Box Elder County

At your first hearing in a criminal case in Box Elder County, you should expect to be given formal notice of the charges that have been filed against you. If you have hired an attorney, you will normally already have a copy of the charges. But the court is still required to provide a formal notification at this initial hearing.

In class B and class C misdemeanor cases, the first court hearing should include an arraignment where the court will also ask you to enter a plea of either “guilty” or “not guilty.” You should consult with an attorney before entering any plea in any criminal case. But in almost every case, it will work to your advantage to enter a “not guilty” plea at this first hearing. (In felony and class A misdemeanor cases, the arraignment does not occur until after a preliminary hearing has been held or waived.)

The discovery process is a critical part of defending against criminal prosecution. A formal Rule 16 discovery request should be filed in order to obtain police reports, witness statements, video recordings, photographs, dispatch logs, or other evidence in the possession of or under the control of the prosecuting agency. In some cases, an independent investigation may provide information critical to forming an effective defense strategy.

Your attorney can conduct a thorough case analysis, taking into consideration the facts and evidence obtained through discovery or independent investigation, and also the substantive and procedural laws applicable to your case. Once the strengths and weaknesses of your case are understood, it is often advisable to initiate a discussion with the prosecutor about possible negotiated resolutions. These negotiations do not commit you to resolving your case. But strategic settlement negotiations can potentially open doors to a resolution designed to achieve better results than those likely at trial.

Not all cases are well-suited to a negotiated resolution. In some cases, a motion to suppress, probable cause hearing, motion to quash, or other legal protections can help lead to the best result. In all felony and misdemeanor cases, you are entitled to a jury trial. An experienced criminal attorney can help you determine the best strategy for defending your case.

Penalties for Criminal Convictions in Box Elder County

Felony convictions in Box Elder County can carry potentially lengthy prison sentences and thousands of dollars in fines. But even a single misdemeanor conviction can carry a sentence of up to one year in jail and a fine (including surcharge) of nearly $5,000. Even if jail and prison terms are suspended, probation conditions can be quite restrictive. Outside the courtroom, the consequences of a criminal conviction can also include restrictions on the right to possess firearms, loss of employment or professional licensing, loss of a driver license, and much more.

Potential jail/prison terms and fines for most criminal offenses are set forth below:

  • Capital Felony – can result in the death penalty, life in prison without parole, or 20 years to life in prison
  • 1st Degree Felony – 3, 5, 6, 10,15, 20 or 25 year minimum, with life in prison maximum – up to $10,000 plus 90% surcharge
  • 2nd Degree Felony – 1-15 years prison – up to $10,000 plus 90% surcharge
  • 3rd Degree Felony – 0-5 years prison – up to $5,000 plus 90% surcharge
  • Class A Misdemeanor – up to 365 days jail – up to $2500 plus 90% surcharge
  • Class B Misdemeanor – up to 180 days jail – up to $1000 plus 90% surcharge*
  • Class C Misdemeanor – up to 90 days jail – up to $750 plus 35% surcharge*
  • Infraction – no jail – up to $750 plus 35% surcharge*

Jurisdiction for Criminal Charges in Box Elder County

Jurisdiction for most criminal cases in Box Elder County will be in either the District Court (Utah First District, Brigham City Department) or in the Box Elder County Justice Court. The justice court has jurisdiction over class B and class C misdemeanors as well as over infractions. The district court is considered a court of general jurisdiction, and can hear cases involving charges of all levels ranging from infractions to capital felonies.

Finding a Utah Criminal Attorney for Box Elder County

Utah Criminal Defense Attorney Stephen Howard provides legal services to clients throughout Utah. If you are facing criminal charges in Box Elder County or Brigham City, contact us today to arrange for an initial consultation. See what an experienced criminal lawyer can do for you.


Filed Under: Posts Archive

Related….

  • Park City Criminal Defense Attorney
    Park City Criminal Defense Attorney
    Summit County Criminal Lawyer Utah criminal defense attorney Stephen Howard has successfully defended thousands of serious criminal cases during his career. His track record includes not guilty verdicts and dismissals on charges including aggravated robbery, burglary, white collar crimes, drug charges, forgery, theft, DUI, and many more. If you are facing prosecution in Park City or Summit County, having an experienced and aggressive criminal attorney on your side can be the key to achieving the results you need. With his extensive experience, Mr. Howard recognizes that each client is unique, and that no two cases are identical. He works personally with…
  • Criminal Defense Attorneys in Utah
    Criminal Defense Attorneys in Utah
    Many attorneys claim to be "aggressive." But just being "aggressive" is not good enough. If you are facing criminal charges, you need more than a sales pitch. You need straight talk from an experienced Utah criminal defense lawyer with a record of real results. The best results in a Utah criminal defense case can depend on a more sophisticated approach. Fighting the case in trial is just one of the options you have when you are facing criminal prosecution. A thorough analysis of the law and facts involved in your case are necessary in determining the best strategy for defending…
  • Holladay Justice Court - Cottonwood Heights
    Holladay Justice Court - Cottonwood Heights
    The Holladay Municipal Justice Court has jurisdiction over class B and C misdemeanor crimes that occur within the borders of Holladay City, Utah. By agreement with the City of Cottonwood Heights, the Holladay Justice Court also handles misdemeanor crimes that occur in Cottonwood Heights. Even a misdemeanor criminal conviction can have serious consequences. If you have been charged with a crime in Holladay or Cottonwood Heights, contact Utah criminal defense lawyer Stephen Howard now to arrange for a confidential attorney consultation. Mr. Howard has successfully protected his clients rights in thousands of serious felony and misdemeanor cases. Defending Criminal Charges…

Call a Utah Attorney

Call a Criminal Lawyer in Utah


Find Utah Criminal Law Help

Paragraph Spacer

For the People – For Attorneys

Important Information for People Facing Criminal Prosecution in Utah

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 Information for Criminal Defense Lawyers in Utah

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 Attorney in Davis County






    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.

    Client pulled over by police for investigation of DUI. Mr. Howard filed a motion to suppress challenging the basis for the warrantless search and seizure. Police had received a report that client might be drunk. By challenging the basis for the report and demonstrating that police observation of client’s driving for nearly two miles showed no traffic violations or other indications of impairment, the prosecutor conceded error and moved to dismiss the DUI.

    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.

    • 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

    Fifth Amendment Miranda RIghts


    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
    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.