Davis County Utah

PROTECTING YOUR RIGHTS.

DEFENDING YOUR FUTURE.

QUICK QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Call US – 801-449-1409

Stephen Howard — Criminal Defense Attorney

Should I get a lawyer if I haven’t been arrested yet?

At minimum, talk with a lawyer. Consulting with and experienced criminal defense attorney before you talk with police or before you are arrested can help ensure that you know what your rights and options are. Understanding the pros and cons of different options you may have and what the potential consequences might be is critical to making good decisions. A good attorney can help make sure your rights are protected from the start.

    Attorney and Client Meeting for Legal Consultation

    The best defense attorneys challenge the status quo through ethical advocacy both in and out of the courtroom.

    What rights do I have after I am arrested? Being arrested does not change the rights you have, but it does make understanding those rights much more important. You do not have to wait to be read Miranda rights before you can exercise your right to remain silent. But just not answering questions doesn’t fully invoke those rights. You want to specifically state that you are exercising your 5th… Read More
    What does a search warrant allow police to do? A judge or magistrate in Utah can issue a search warrant that authorizes police to search a specific location and to seize items, objects, records, or other evidence relating to a crime. Utah’s Supreme Court has stated that without a warrant, a search and seizure conducted by police is presumptively unreasonable. Without a warrant, a prosecutor must be able to… Read More
    Should I talk to police about what happened? It is not always easy to tell if police view you as a suspect, a victim, or as a neutral witness. The safest advice is to talk with an attorney before talking with police about what happened or answering their questions. In many circumstances, there is not an immediate need to provide police with information. You are safer if you… Read More
    How are felony and misdemeanor charges different? 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… Read More