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 Lawyer - Drug Possession in a Correctional Facility

Being charged with possession of a controlled substance in a Utah correctional facility (i.e., jail or prison) can result in enhanced penalties. Salt Lake criminal lawyer Stephen Howard has extensive experience defending a variety of drug and drug-related charges in Salt Lake City and surrounding areas. If you are facing drug charges in Salt Lake City or elsewhere in Utah, contact us today for an initial consultation.

Penalties for Drug Possession in a Jail or Prison

The Utah criminal code provides that a person found in possession of a controlled substance in a correctional facility, jail, "or other place of confinement" can be charged with a crime one level higher than for ordinary drug possession. This one-step enhancement can increase the level of a simple marijuana possession to a class A misdemeanor (punishable by up to a year in jail); possession of other drugs such as cocaine, heroin, or methamphetamine can be enhanced to the second degree felony level (punishable by up to 15 years in prison).

Fighting a "Correctional Facility" Enhancement to a Utah Drug Possession Charge

If you are arrested and booked into the Salt Lake County Jail, officers will search you as part of the booking process. If drugs are found during this search, a simple possession charge is sometimes enhanced by a prosecutor to a charge of possession of a controlled substance in a correctional facility. But the threat of such an enhancement puts a person in the difficult position of giving up the Fifth Amendment right to remain silent by telling the arresting officer about the drugs before arriving at the jail, or facing enhanced penalties. While this choice presents a dilemma for a person being arrested, this dilemma itself may provide a defense to the enhanced charge. If you have been charged with possession of drugs in a jail or other correctional facility in Salt Lake, you should contact an experienced criminal defense attorney today.

Choosing an Criminal Lawyer in Salt Lake City, Utah

Choosing the right criminal defense attorney can help give you the best chance of success in your case. Stephen Howard has successfully defended his clients' rights in thousands of serious felony and misdemeanr cases. His track record includes not guilty verdicts, dismissals, and appeal reversals in some of the most serious crimes on the books in Utah.

With offices centrally located in downtown Salt Lake City, criminal defense attorney Stephen Howard provides services to clients throughout Utah. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.


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  • Selected Victories
  • Criminal Defense Trial AttorneyNot Guilty - Client was charged with aggravated assault for alleged attack using broken bottle as a weapon. Despite the testimony of numerous prosecution witnesses, thorough defense investigation to support a self-defense claim resulted in acquittal by jury at trial.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Violent Crimes Assalt Defense UtahProbation - Client charged with aggravated robbery based on allegations he entered a store with a gun and mask and demanded cash. Client confessed to police before hiring a defense attorney. Defense mitigation efforts resulted in a negotiated resolution that removed life in prison as a possibility, and secured a probation sentence from the court.
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  • 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. . . .
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Utah Criminal Defense Attorney - Hope

Facing criminal prosecution in Utah can feel like your world is collapsing. But there are reasons to remain hopeful, and there are things you can do right now that can help increase the odds of a successful outcome. An experienced criminal defense attorney can help you evaluate the various options you have, and can help you....

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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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