Utah Criminal Defense Lawyers
The Canyons Law Group's criminal defense team is led by veteran Utah
criminal defense attorney Stephen Howard, who has successfully
represented clients facing some of the most serious felony charges on
the books in Utah. Whether you are facing
felony
charges or even just a
first-time
misdemeanor citation, we understand that any criminal conviction can
have serious consequences. Each case is unique, so we work personally
with clients to develop a defense
strategy
tailored to meet each client's needs and circumstances.
Contact us today to
see how our criminal defense team can help you.
A Team-Driven Defense Strategy

Stephen
Howard and the Canyons Law Group have assembled a team of criminal
defense attorneys with more than six decades of experience in the
criminal justice system. Backgrounds of our criminal lawyers include
state and federal prosecution, law enforcement, military courts, and
extensive work in Utah's criminal courts defending clients against the
most serious charges on the books. Our defense strategies are based on
a collaborative approach to the practice of law, where the best of each
attorney's strengths can be leveraged by the team in a way that
benefits each client. When the Canyons Law Group takes your case, you
get more than just an attorney. You are hiring an entire legal team.
The criminal law team at the Canyons Law Group focuses on finding the
best solution for each client. A strong procedural and evidentiary
motion practice, trial work, constitutional law, appeals, and other
legal tools can be critical to mounting a successful defense. Many
attorneys claim to "fight hard" or present an "aggressive" defense. But
over the years, our clients have consistently told us that what matters
most is getting the right help to find a real solution for their legal
problems. Simply put, fighting "smart" can be much more effective than
talking tough. With more than 60 years combined
experience, we have the
knowledge, skills, and dedication necessary to achieve real
results.
The best results require the right strategy and the right attorney. If
you are facing criminal prosecution in Utah,
contact the Canyons Law
Group's criminal defense team. See what real experience can do for you.
Utah Criminal Defense Attorney Profiles
Stephen W. Howard
- Salt Lake City criminal attorney Stephen Howard has been awarded the
American College of Trial Lawyers Medal for Excellence in Advocacy, and
has been named to the National Order of Barristers. After graduating
cum laude from
Brigham Young University's school of law, Mr. Howard began his legal
career with the Salt Lake Legal Defender Association. Spending more
than a decade with LDA working as a part of the capital defense and
felony
trial
teams, and after nearly another decade in private practice, Mr. Howard
has acquired more real courtroom experience than most Utah attorneys
will ever see.
As a Utah criminal defense
attorney in private practice,
Mr. Howard is able to offer his clients a level of experience that is
hard to match. By drawing on this extensive experience and by focusing
on the individual needs of each client, Mr. Howard works hard to find
solutions that work for his clients.
Andrew McAdams -
Mr. McAdams is a native Utahn, with a national resume that includes a
prestigious internship with the United States Supreme Court, experience
as a law school professor, and several years working as a state felony
prosecutor. Mr. McAdams began his prosecution career with one of the
nation's largest state felony prosecutor's offices. In 2009, he
returned home to Utah to take a position as a felony prosecutor with
the Cache County Attorney's Office. As a prosecutor, Mr. McAdams was
responsible for prosecuting cases ranging from homicide to complex
white-collar crimes. During his time in Cache County, Mr. McAdams also
directed the county's drug court program.
As a former prosecutor, Mr. McAdams' extensive experience inside Utah's
criminal justice system gives him important insights into how best to
defend his clients against criminal prosecution. Working now as a
defense attorney, his wealth of criminal law experience and knowledge
of the Utah's legal system are valuable assets in helping clients
achieve the best results possible in their cases.
See our
attorney profile page
for more information on other attorneys who form the Canyons Law
Group's criminal defense team.
Case Results and Experience
Our combined criminal defense experience includes handling literally
thousands of serious
felony
and
misdemeanors
cases for clients throughout Utah. We have achieved outright
dismissals, not guilty verdicts, or
appellate
reversals in cases including attempted murder, aggravated
felonies,
drug cases, kidnapping,
violent felonies, white collar cases, fraud, forgery, burglary,
DUI,
and other felony and misdemeanor cases. Mr. Howard is one of only a few
Utah defense lawyers now in private practice who has twice successfully
defended a client against the threatened death penalty for charges of
aggravated murder.
With experience defending Utah criminal cases ranging from aggravated
murder to DUI and from drug crimes to white collar crimes, the Salt
Lake criminal defense attorneys at the Canyons Law Group have the
skills and knowledge necessary to help you achieve the results you
need.
Contact us today to see how we
can help you.
Criminal Defense Philosophy and Strategy
A successful defense
strategy
requires the ability to both fight hard and fight smart. Aggressive
representation certainly has its place. But there are times when a
thorough understanding of complex legal issues, effective advocacy
skills, and the subtle diplomacy necessary for successful negotiations
are more likely to produce better results.
Whether your case requires aggressive representation or a more
sophisticated defense strategy to address complex legal issues and
serious criminal charges, the criminal defense team at Canyons Law
Group is prepared to defend you anywhere in Utah.
Consequences of Conviction in Utah Prosecutions
In Utah, even "minor" charges are serious. A single Utah misdemeanor
can carry up to a year in jail. Utah felony convictions carry the
possibility of many years in prison. In addition to jail and prison
time, criminal convictions can carry other collateral consequences
affecting your driver's license, voting rights, professional licensing,
hunting rights, the right to carry a firearm, and more.
Having an experienced criminal defense lawyer on your side can greatly
increase your chances of avoiding the most serious
consequences of a criminal
conviction in Utah. We take each case seriously, because your
case is serious to you.
Reasons for Hope
Although the consequences of conviction are serious, there are many
reasons to hope. Being charged
with a crime does not mean your life is over. The outcome of your case
is not set in stone. There are many ways an experienced Utah criminal
defense lawyer can help with your case. Taking the case to trial is
just one option.
While your lawyer works on the legal aspects of your criminal defense,
there are a number of things you can do to help your case. Giving up or
quitting should not be an option. Working hard, getting involved in
treatment or counseling, even going back to school are all things that
can help mitigate the potential consequences of your case. As an
experienced Utah criminal defense attorneys, we can help guide you
through the process.
Confidential Criminal Defense Consultation
If you are facing criminal prosecution, you probably have a lot of
questions. The first step to resolving those questions and getting help
with your case is to talk to an experienced defense attorney. We
understand that time can be critical in a criminal case.
With offices in in Salt Lake City and Davis County, we offer legal
services to clients throughout Utah. Contact us now to
schedule an initial consultation
with an experienced Utah criminal lawyer. We can begin working together
to achieve the best solution to your legal problems.