Can addiction be used as a legal defense to a Utah criminal
charge?
Drug addiction plays a major role in many Utah criminal cases - even
cases that are not traditionally viewed as "drug crimes."
Under Utah criminal law, both
voluntary
intoxication and involuntary intoxication can provide a
defense to criminal prosecution under certain circumstances.
An experienced
Utah criminal defense attorney can help you determine whether drug addiction can become a central part of a defense
strategy in a Utah criminal defense case.
While drug addiction does not create a legal defense to criminal
prosecution in Utah, it can provide a significant tool in negotiating a
reasonable resolution to your case. Many Utah criminal cases
stem from drug use or substance abuse. Property crimes, white
collar crimes, and even violent crimes can have their roots in drug use
and substance abuse. If a prosecutor can be convinced that
the real problem is substance abuse or addiction, you may be able to
obtain a more favorable offer by demonstrating your willingness to
participate in substance abuse treatment.
As an experienced
criminal
defense lawyer based in Salt Lake City, Utah, Stephen Howard
has defended thousands of serious felony criminal charges during his
career. He has extensive experience defending
drug charges in Utah, and
has a record of achieving
real results for his clients.
He is one of only a few criminal defense attorneys now in
private practice who has worked inside
Utah's drug court system.
If drugs have played a role in your life or in your criminal
case,
contact us now
to schedule your initial consultation.

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