Employers & Criminal Background Checks
Can I keep an employer from seeing my felony conviction in Utah?
Being convicted of a felony in Utah can dramatically affect your ability to get or keep a job. More and more employers are doing background checks as part of their pre-employment screening practices. Even if you already have a job, your employer may choose to fire you if it is discovered that you have been convicted of a felony. Speaking with an experienced Utah criminal defense attorney before deciding how to handle your criminal case is vital to protecting your rights your future employment prospects.In Utah, adult criminal convictions are considered a matter of public record, and your employer will be able to find out about a felony conviction as part of a criminal background investigation. While you can't keep your employer from finding out about your criminal record in Utah, there are steps you can take to actually change what is on your criminal record.
Utah law provides a way to reduce a felony conviction to a misdemeanor. Under Utah Code Ann. 76-3-402, a person who has successfully completed probation can petition the court to reduce a charge by up to two steps. For most felonies, this will reduce the charge to a misdemeanor. This process is often called a "402 reduction."
Utah law also allows most criminal convictions, charges, and even arrests to be completely expunged from your criminal record. You must meet certain qualifications relating to the number of convictions on your record and the length of time since the last criminal incident. But if you meet the requirements for expungement in Utah, you may petition the court to have your record expunged.
Getting and keeping a job is just one of the many areas of your life that a criminal conviction can affect. In Utah, the consequences of even a minor criminal conviction can be severe. If you are facing criminal prosecution in Utah, an experienced criminal defense attorney can help give you the best chance of obtaining a favorable outcome. Utah criminal defense attorney Stephen Howard has successfully defended thousands of serious criminal cases during his career. His track record speaks for itself.
Contact us today to schedule an initial consultation with Salt Lake City defense attorney Stephen Howard.
- What You
Need to Know - Choosing an Attorney
- Avoiding Common Mistakes
- First-Time
Offenders
- Repeat
Offenders
- Out-of-State
Clients
- What to Expect in Court
- Potential Penalties
- Reasons for Hope
- Attorney Practice Areas
- Felonies / Misdemeanors
- District / Justice Courts
- Jury Trials / Bench Trials
- Pleas in Abeyance
- Expungements
- 402 Reductions
- Bench / Arrest Warrants
- Constitutional Violations
- Probation
- Appeals
- Juvenile Courts
- Selected Crimes
- Drug Crimes / Addiction
- DUI / Alcohol Crimes
- Property Crimes
- Financial / White Collar
- Violent Crimes
- Domestic Violence
- Aggravated
Crimes
- Selected Victories
Dismissed - Contractor was charged with theft by deception for allegedly misusing customer funds and failing to complete work that had been agreed upon. A successful motion to quash on legal grounds following the bindover order at preliminary hearing resulted in a complete dismissal of all charges.
Dismissed - Minor in possession charge (MIP) was dismissed by prosecutor when defense analysis demonstrated that the police had failed to obtain necessary evidence against client. Police had raided a large party involving underage drinking. Several individuals were charged, but police did not obtain evidence showing that client had personally consumed or possessed alcohol. Case was dismissed.
Released - Client absconded for more than 10 years from felony probation with
Adult Probation and Parole. At an order to show cause hearing, prosecutor argued aggressively for prison. Based on effective mitigation efforts by the defense, the judge agreed to release client without further jail.
Dismissed at Preliminary Hearing
- Client
charged with aggravated robbery and facing life in prison. Full case analysis and consultation with client allowed the development of a strong defense strategy. Effective cross-examination of the alleged victim at the preliminary hearing resulted in an outright dismissal of all charges by the judge.
- Recent Posts
How is drug paraphernalia defined in Utah? - The definition of drug paraphernalia under the Utah criminal code looks at both the nature of the object and also the intended use of the object in question. . . .
How do I find out if I have an outstanding warrant? - If you believe you may have an outstanding arrest warrant in Utah, a criminal defense attorney can access the Utah statewide warrant system and help you find the best. . . .
Successfully defending against criminal prosecution requires more than just an 'aggressive' defense. The best defense attorneys understand that a sophisticated defense requires a thorough understanding of a variety of nuanced legal issues, real experience in the courtroom, good negotiation skills, and much more. Fighting hard is good. Fighting smart is better....
Strategy »
Our criminal defense lawyers have represented clients facing some of the most serious felony charges on the books in Utah. Whether you are facing prosecution for felony or misdemeanor charges, you can be assured that our attorneys have the experience, knowledge, and determination necessary to help you achieve the results you need. Choosing the best defense attorney for your case will be one of the most important decisions you make....
Experience »
In Utah, even a "minor" misdemeanor conviction carries the potential for jail time and significant fines. A felony conviction carries the potential of lengthy prison terms and the various consequences that come with being labeled as a convicted felon. Never plead guilty without first finding out....
Consequences »
An arrest is not a conviction. If you are facing criminal prosecution in Utah, it can feel like your world is collapsing. But there are things you can do right now that can increase your chances of a good outcome. An experienced criminal defense lawyer can help you evaluate the various options available to you and help develop a strategy for success....
Reasons to Hope »
Home | Attorney Profile | Case Results | Criminal Code | FAQ | Legal Resources | Defense Strategy | Contact Us
Serving Salt Lake, Davis, Weber, Utah, Cache, Tooele, Summit, Box Elder, and Wasatch Counties, and all of Utah.
Attorney Stephen Howard practices as part of the Canyons Law Group, LLC and Stephen W. Howard, PC.
Offices in Salt Lake and Davis Counties
560 South 300 East, Suite 200, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
952 S. Main St., Suite A, Layton, UT 84041
Call now to arrange for a confidential initial consultation with an experienced and effective Utah criminal defense lawyer.
In Salt Lake City, call 801-449-1409.
In Davis County, call 801-923-4345.
Stephen W. Howard, PC
Serving Salt Lake, Davis, Weber, Utah, Cache, Tooele, Summit, Box Elder, and Wasatch Counties, and all of Utah.
Offices in Salt Lake and Davis Counties
560 South 300 East, Suite 200, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
952 S. Main St., Suite A, Layton, UT 84041
Call now to arrange for a confidential initial consultation with an experienced and effective Utah criminal defense lawyer.
In Salt Lake City, call 801-449-1409.
In Davis County, call 801-923-4345.
Stephen W. Howard, PC
The materials in this website are
intended for informational
purposes only, and are not legal
advice. Viewing or responding to
materials in this site does not create
an attorney-client
relationship. Read
Full Disclaimer.