Should I plead guilty in a Utah misdemeanor case without an attorney?
You should never plead guilty or no contest in any Utah justice court or district court case without fully understanding your rights and the consequences of such a plea. The best way to learn what your rights are can be to consult with an experienced Utah criminal defense attorney.
Even if your charges are just based on a citation or ticket, once you plead guilty or no contest in a Utah court you give up some very important Constitutional rights and protections. Perhaps more important, by pleading guilty or no contest you subject yourself to some potentially serious consequences. Understanding these rights and the potential consequences of a plea is absolutely vital.
The best criminal defense attorneys insist on fair courtroom procedures that enforce and respect clients’ rights.
Even if you are seeking a quick resolution to your case and do not want to become involved in a drawn out legal fight, having counsel from an experienced criminal defense attorney can often lead to a better result and better long-term resolution.
Contact us today for a confidential consultation with Utah criminal
The best attorneys understand that the effects of a criminal charge extend beyond just the courtroom and case.
What happens if I enter a guilty or no contest plea in a Utah criminal case?
The first consequence of a guilty plea or no contest plea in a Utah case is the entry of a criminal conviction on your record. There are many criminal charges in Utah for which a police officer can issue a citation without arresting the person. In some cases, the person may not even realize that the citation represents a criminal charge. Entering a guilty plea or a no contest plea will result in the entry of a criminal conviction on your record.
Any criminal conviction carries the potential for jail time. Even just a class B misdemeanor can be punished with up to 180 days in jail. While many justice court cases may be resolved without actual jail time being served, a criminal conviction can still carry other collateral consequences.
For some criminal charges, a criminal conviction can affect driver license privileges, the right to carry a firearm, employment, professional licensing, and much more.
A successful defense strategy starts with an understanding of your goals and needs.
Can I just agree to a bail forfeiture and pay the fine?
This is one legal option for resolving a Utah citation. But before doing this, you should be aware that a voluntary bail forfeiture will be entered on your record as a conviction and treated as though you had entered a guilty plea in the case.
Agreeing to a voluntary bail forfeiture can save you a trip to court, and it may avoid the risk of jail. But a criminal conviction, even under a bail forfeiture, can impact other rights. Just as with any other criminal conviction, a conviction resulting from a bail forfeiture can affect professional licensing eligibility or employment, along with any other collateral consequence of an ordinary conviction. It may also affect future eligibility for expungement.
Finding a Utah Criminal Defense Attorney
If you have been arrested or received a citation for a misdemeanor charge in Utah, it is important to seek advice from an experienced criminal defense attorney before deciding how to handle your case. The consequences of entering a plea just to “get it over with” can be severe, and in some cases irreversible.
The right defense attorney can make the difference you need for your case.
With extensive experience handling both misdemeanor and felony criminal cases in Utah, our criminal defense team has the knowledge, skills, and determination to help clients get the results they need. Contact us today to arrange for a confidential consultation.