Salt Lake Criminal Defense Attorney Utah
Criminal Defense Attorney Stephen Howard
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Is being in the hospital a good excuse for missing a court date in Utah?

In a Utah criminal case, the judge will typically expect the defendant to appear in person at every court date.  If a defendant does not appear at a scheduled court hearing without permission from the court, a judge will issue a bench warrant for the defendant's arrest, and the defendant could be held in custody during the remainder of the time the case is pending.

If you do miss a court date, you should be prepared to provide a good explanation as to why you did not appear in court.  Being in the hospital can be a good excuse for missing court, depending on the reason you were in the hospital.  Many judges will require you to provide proof that you were in the hospital, as well as an explanation as to reason it was medically necessary for you to be hospitalized at that particular time.  Just saying "I was at the hospital" does not automatically excuse your failure to appear.

If you have missed a court appearance or believe that you may have an outstanding bench warrant, an experienced criminal defense attorney can help you resolve your legal problems.  Stephen Howard is a Utah criminal defense attorney based in Salt Lake City.  He has successfully handled literally thousands of serious criminal charges - more than most Utah attorneys will see in their entire careers.  

Contact us now to schedule an initial consultation.


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  • Selected Victories
  • Criminal Defense AttorneyDismissed - Charges of insurance fraud were brought when investigators found reason to believe that client's claim of injury was fraudulent. Client was seen kicking a soccer ball, and investigators concluded that the injury claim was false. By obtaining medical records and other administrative records, and by pointing out to the prosecutor that the alleged injury interferred with the client's ability to lift - not his ability to kick a ball - the prosecutor agreed to dismiss the case.
  • Drug Crimes Defense Attorney Utah Dismissed - Client facing first-degree felony drug distribution charge and potential life in prison. Charges were based on allegations that client had sold drugs to an undercover police officer, then made a full confession. Successful mitigation work resulted in negotiated offer of misdemeanor plea-in-abeyance and ultimate dismissal of case.
  • 402 Reduction Lawyer Utah 2-Step Reduction - Client needed a two-step reduction to bring a prior conviction to the misdemeanor level. Collection of substantial evidence of reform and rehabilitation convinced a normally reluctant prosecutor to stipulate to the defense 402 reduction motion.
  • Violent Crimes Assalt Defense UtahDismissed 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.
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Choosing the best criminal defense attorney for your Utah criminal case may be the single most important decision you make. The courtroom can be a hostile place. Prosecutors receive extensive training on legal and tactical issues. Having an experienced criminal defense lawyer on your side is critical to defending your case and protecting your rights....

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Being charged with a crime is not the same as being convicted. But just being charged can affect more than you may have imagined - jail, job, family, bills, rent or mortgage. It can feel like everything has gone wrong, and may you wonder if anything can go right. But facing criminal prosecution does not mean giving up hope....

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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

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