Salt Lake Criminal Defense Attorney Utah
Criminal Defense Attorney Stephen Howard
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Finding a Felony Defense LawyerChoosing a Misdemeanor Defense LawyerDrug and Alcohol Crimes Defense LawyerWhite Collar Defense Attorney for Utah ChargesAttorney for Expungements Reductions and PardonsDefendant Constitutional Rights Criminal LawyerBail and Bond Alternatives in UtahReasons for Hope Facing Criminal Charges

Salt Lake Criminal Defense Attorney - Cocaine Possession

Utah law classifies cocaine as a Schedule II controlled substance. Being charged with possession of cocaine in the Salt Lake district courts can result in a felony conviction, prison time, and other serious consequenses. The best step toward achieving a successful outcome in your case can be hiring an experienced Salt Lake criminal defense attorney. Stephen Howard has successfully defended drug charges in Salt Lake County ranging from first-degree distribution charges to straight possession of a controlled substance.

Potential Penalties for Cocaine Possession in Utah

Charges for possession of cocaine begin at the third-degree felony level and carry potential consequences that include up to five years in prison and thousands of dollars in fines. In Salt Lake County, a simple possession charge may also be enhanced to a second-degree felony level if the possession occurs within a "drug free zone." Given the density of developments in Salt Lake County, the chances of unintentionally entering a drug free zone is much higher than it might be in a more rural county. The consequences of being convicted of possession within a drug free zone increases the potential pentalties for simple possession of cocaine from a five year prison term to a maximum of fifteen years in prison. Possession with the intent to distrute a controlled substance can increase the potential penlaties to include a life prison term.

In any given drug possession case, it is unlikely that the absolute maximum penalties would be imposed by the court. But in fighting a drug possession case, there are a number of legal goals to work toward, including keeping a felony conviction off your record and staying out of prison or jail. When drug charges are involved, it is important to consider treatment for substance abuse or addiction as part of your legal strategy. Becoming involved in drug treatment early in the case proceedings may actually increase your chances of obtaining a successful result in the case. Stephen Howard is one of a relatively few criminal defense attorneys in private practice in Salt Lake County who has worked inside the Salt Lake County drug court system, and has a unique understanding of how the addiction treatment and criminal justice system relate to each other.

Fighting a Cocaine Possession Charge in Salt Lake City

There are many factors to consider in determining the best strategy to use in fighting a criminal charge for drug possession in Salt Lake.  Fourth Amendment violations, Fifth Amendment violations, constructive possession issues, witness reliability, the use of confidential informants, and other issues are common. Having an experienced criminal defense attorney on your side can be the best way to determine how these issues mayaffect your case. As an experienced Utah criminal attorney, Stephen Howard can help you choose the best strategy for addressing your Salt Lake criminal charges.

Finding a Utah Criminal Defense Lawyer in Salt Lake City

Choosing the right criminal defense attorney can help give you the best chance of success. Stephen Howard has successfully protected his clients' rights in thousands of serious felony and misdemeanor cases. Contact us today for an initial consultation with Salt Lake criminal defense lawyer Stephen Howard.



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  • Selected Victories
  • Criminal Defense AttorneyDismissed - 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.
  • Criminal Appeals Defense AttorneyDismissed on Appeal - DUI case was dismissed after a successful appeal where the Utah Court of Appeals reversed the trial court's denial of the defense motion to suppress. Without the suppressed evidence, the prosecutor acknowledged that they did not have sufficient evidence to proceed to trial and the case was dismissed.
  • Utah 402 Reduction Attorney Felony Reduced - Client with prior felony conviction was granted a 402 reduction to the misdemeanor level over the objection of the prosecutor. Based on information provided to the court in support of the defense motion, the judge ruled in favor of the defense.
  • Felony Attorney Utah Dismissed - Client facing first-degree felony charge and possible life in prison for child kidnapping. Full defense analysis of the case revealed critical legal flaws in the prosecution's case. When confronted with the defense legal analysis, the prosecutor agreed to dismiss the case outright without trial.
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  • What to Do When Arrested for DUI What should I do if I am arrested for DUI? - Many DUI cases begin as minor traffic stops. But the consequences of a DUI conviction are much more serious than an ordinary traffic citation. If you are pulled over for a suspected DUI, you have specific important constitutional and statutory rights that can protect your. . . .
  • Utah Statewide Warrant Search 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. . . .
Best Utah Criminal Defense Strategy

The right criminal defense lawyer can work with you to develop a defense strategy designed to achieve the best results. Hiring a Utah criminal attorney with real courtroom experience and an in-depth understanding of the legal issues involved in defending against a criminal prosecution can help ensure the best...

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Salt Lake Criminal Defense Attorney Profile Utah

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....

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Conviction Consequences - Utah Criminal Defense

Even a "minor" misdemeanor carries the potential for jail time and significant fines. The direct penalties and collateral consequences of a felony conviction are even more severe. Understanding these consequences is critical as you make decisions relating to your case. Even in a misdemeanor case, you should not....

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Utah Criminal Defense Attorney - Reasons to Hope

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

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.