Under Utah law, those criminal offenses punishable by one year or less in jail are classified as misdemeanors. As an experienced Salt Lake criminal defense attorney, Stephen Howard has successfully defended a wide range of misdemeanor and felony charges in Salt Lake’s district courts and justice courts. Having an experienced criminal defense lawyer on your side can give you the best chance of success in defending your case. Contact us today to schedule an initial consultation.

Successfully Defending a Misdemeanor Prosecution in Utah

While a misdemeanor charge is not as serious as a felony prosecution, the potential penalties are severe and the case should be taken seriously. Many of the issues involved in defending a misdemeanor charge are the same as those involved in felony defense cases. Initial issues such release through Salt Lake County Pretrial Services, bond hearings, and discovery requests are handled in a similar manner. Constitutional violations of the Fourth or Fifth Amendment can lead to successful motions to suppress evidence. A thorough analysis of the defense case, and the experience to anticipate issues in the prosecution’s case can be critical to determining whether to take your case to trial or attempt to reach a negotiated resolution.

Potential Penalties in a Salt Lake Misdemeanor Case

While misdemeanor charges are less serious as felony charges, the consequences of a misdemeanor conviction can still be significant. Class A misdemeanors are punishable by up to a year in jail; class B charges carry a potential penalty of 180 days jail; and class C charges can be punished with up to 90 days in jail. Fines imposed in a misdemeanor case ca be up to $2500 plus an additional 90% surcharge. In addition to jail time and fines, certain misdemeanor convictions may also affect your driver license, your right to carry or possess firearms, and more.