Category: Criminal Defense
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Competency Evaluations in Utah Criminal Cases
Utah law prohibits the prosecution of a person who is not “competent” to stand trial. The standards for competency in a criminal case are significantly different than standards used in a civil commitment or guardianship context. Whether the…
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Refusing DUI Field Sobriety Tests in Utah
SFST’s or Chemical Tests – Important Legal Differences As an important first point — there is a legal distinction between “standardized field sobriety tests” and a chemical test of breath, blood, or urine in the context of a…
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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…
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DUI Defense Attorneys – Southern Utah
When facing prosecution for DUI, you want a good defense attorney on your side. Attorneys defending DUI cases need to understand more than just the standard courtroom rules and processes. Defending against a charge of DUI can require…
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Initial Stages of a Criminal Case – Police Investigation
Fourth Amendment and Fifth Amendment rights are critical in the investigation phase of a criminal case. Whether you are a witness, “person of interest” or suspect, understanding your rights is important.
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Presumption of Innocence – Do We Still Believe?
Justification Hearings and the Presumption of Innocence in Utah Self Defense Cases HB 227 was passed by the Utah Legislature in 2021, creating certain procedural safeguards for a person charged with a violent crime when the available evidence…