The Salt Lake City Justice Court has jurisdiction to hear criminal and traffic cases arising within the borders of Salt Lake City. The court’s jurisdiction is limited only to cases at the class B misdemeanor level or lower. Still, these cases carry the potential for significant jail sentences and the potential for thousands of dollars in fines. Collateral consequences of criminal conviction, even at the misdemeanor level, can be serious. If you have been charged with a crime in the Salt Lake justice court, it is vital that you have an experienced criminal defense attorney on your side. As a Utah criminal lawyer based in Salt Lake City, Stephen Howard has successfully defended his clients rights in thousands of serious felony and misdemeanor cases. Contact us today to arrange for an initial consultation.
Potential Consequences of Conviction in the Salt Lake Justice Court
Consequences of Criminal Conviction in UtahThe Salt Lake City Justice Court has jurisdiction to hear class B and C misdemeanors as well as infractions. The maximum penalty for a class B misdemeanor is 180 days in jail and a $1,000 fine (plus 90% surcharge). A class C misdmeanor carries the potential for up to 90 days in jail and a $750 fine (plus 90% surcharge). Infractions do not carry a jail sentence, but can still result in jail time under the court’s contempt power. An infraction carries a maximum fine of up to $750 (plus surcharge).
In addition to jail time and fines, many criminal convictions carry collateral consequences. Depending on the nature of the charge and the specific facts of the case, these collateral consequences can be severe. Legal consequences can include the loss of a driver license, the loss of the right to carry a firearm, a requirement to install an ignition interlock device, or a wide variety of probation conditions. Additionally, a criminal conviction can cause other problems outside the legal system – such as making it more difficult to find a job, rent an apartment, and more.
Appeals from the Salt Lake City Justice Court
Since the Salt Lake City Justice Court is not considered to be a “court of record,” an appeal from the justice court is typically in the form of a “de novo” hearing or trial in the district court. These appeals are heard in the Salt Lake Department of the Third District Court.
The “de novo” nature of a justice court appeal is drastically different from other appeals. While an ordinary appeal from a district court to the Utah Court of Appeals or Utah Supreme Court can take many months and sometimes even years to reach a conclusion, an appeal from the justice court to the district court is relatively speedy.
A “de novo” appeal can be thought of in many ways as a “do-over.” While in an ordinary appeal the appellant must demonstrate that the district court commited some reversable error, in a “de novo” appeal the appellant automatically gets a fresh start in the district court. Typically, however, the decision of the district court on appeal will be final and there is no further right of direct appeal from the district court’s decision.
Contact Information for the Salt Lake City Justice Court
The Salt Lake City Justice Court is located at 333 S. 200 E, Salt Lake City, UT 84111. To contact a judge’s clerk or a general court clerk, call 801-535-6300. Court clerks cannot give legal advice, but can help in scheduling a court date or other clerical matters. If you need legal advice or assistance,you should contact an attorney.
Choosing a Utah Criminal Defense Lawyer in Salt Lake
Choosing the right attorney to handle your Salt Lake City Justice Court case is an important decision. Having an experienced criminal defense lawyer on your side can be vital to achieving the best results possible.
As a Utah criminal attorney based in Salt Lake City, Stephen Howard has achieved not guilty verdicts and dismissals in cases ranging from first-degree felony aggravated robbery to retail theft. While he has defended some of the most serious charges on the books in Utah, he also understands that even “minor” misdemeanor cases need to be taken seriously, and that the outcome of each case is important to each client.
To learn how an experienced criminal defense attorney can help in your case, contact us today to arrange for an initial consultation.