Category: Criminal Defense
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Is it OK to carry a gun if I have been drinking?
NO. It is illegal under Utah law to carry a dangerous weapon while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. More important, it is not safe. Carrying a Dangerous Weapon Under the Influence of Alcohol or a Controlled…
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Can I represent myself in a criminal case?
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…
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Discovery – Prosecutor’s Duty to Disclose
Getting It Right – State v. Knight Prosecutors in some Utah jurisdictions incorrectly attempt to use language from the Utah Supreme Court’s 1987 decision in State v. Knight to justify their failure to fulfill discovery obligations in criminal…
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Concealed Firearm Permits & Denials
Utah’s Department of Public Safety, Bureau of Criminal Identification (“BCI”) is tasked with reviewing applications for concealed firearm permits (concealed carry permits) in Utah. Certain circumstances will result in an automatic hard denial. Other denials can involve circumstances…
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Character Letters in Criminal Cases
Character reference letters can play an important role in defending a criminal case. While “character” is normally not at issue in a jury trial, questions character and conduct arise in the context of negotiations, sentencing, and general mitigation.…
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Vega v. Tekoh, Supreme Court of the United States
No. 21-499 – Argued April 20, 2022 – Decided June 23, 2022 The Court addressed the question of whether a police officer’s failure to give Miranda warnings was, by itself, enough to support a section 1983 civil rights…