Salt Lake Misdemeanor Defense Attorney - Utah Criminal Lawyer
Under Utah law, those criminal offenses punishable by one year or less in jail are classified as misdemeanors. As an experienced Salt Lake criminal defense attorney, Stephen Howard has successfully defended a wide range of misdemeanor and felony charges in Salt Lake's district courts and justice courts. Having an experienced criminal defense lawyer on your side can give you the best chance of success in defending your case. Contact us today to schedule an initial consultation.Successfully Defending a Misdemeanor Prosecution in Utah
While a misdemeanor charge is not as serious as a felony prosecution, the potential penalties are severe and the case should be taken seriously. Many of the issues involved in defending a misdemeanor charge are the same as those involved in felony defense cases. Initial issues such release through Salt Lake County Pretrial Services, bond hearings, and discovery requests are handled in a similar manner. Constitutional violations of the Fourth or Fifth Amendment can lead to successful motions to suppress evidence. A thorough analysis of the defense case, and the experience to anticipate issues in the prosecution's case can be critical to determining whether to take your case to trial or attempt to reach a negotiated resolution.Potential Penalties in a Salt Lake Misdemeanor Case
While misdemeanor charges are less serious as felony charges, the consequences of a misdemeanor conviction can still be significant. Class A misdemeanors are punishable by up to a year in jail; class B charges carry a potential penalty of 180 days jail; and class C charges can be punished with up to 90 days in jail. Fines imposed in a misdemeanor case ca be up to $2500 plus an additional 90% surcharge. In addition to jail time and fines, certain misdemeanor convictions may also affect your driver license, your right to carry or possess firearms, and more.Finding a Criminal Defense Attorney in Salt Lake
Stephen Howard has defended thousands of felony and misdemeanor charges during his career. His experience in protecting his clients' rights ranges from murder case to bounced check charges, and virtually everything in between. Whether you intend to take your case to trial, or you plan to work toward a negotiated resolution in your case, Stephen Howard has the experience necessary to help you.Based in Salt Lake City, criminal defense lawyer Stephen Howard is pleased to offer services to clients throughout Utah. Contact us today to schedule an initial consultation.
- What You
Need to Know - Choosing an Attorney
- Avoiding Common Mistakes
- First-Time
Offenders
- Repeat
Offenders
- Out-of-State
Clients
- What to Expect in Court
- Potential Penalties
- Reasons for Hope
- Attorney Practice Areas
- Felonies / Misdemeanors
- District / Justice Courts
- Jury Trials / Bench Trials
- Pleas in Abeyance
- Expungements
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- Bench / Arrest Warrants
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- Selected Crimes
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- Violent Crimes
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- Selected Victories
Dismissed - 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.
Dismissed 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.
Released - Client absconded for more than 10 years from felony probation with
Adult Probation and Parole. At an order to show cause hearing, prosecutor argued aggressively for prison. Based on effective mitigation efforts by the defense, the judge agreed to release client without further jail.
Dismissal - Client was charged with first-degree felony home burglary and facing potential life in prison. Defense analysis revealed flaws in prosecutor's case which led to abeyance agreement intended to lead to a full dismissal of the case.
- Recent Posts
-
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. . . .
Can
I handle a Utah misdemeanor from out-of-state? - Even if you do not intend to take your case to trial, a misdemeanor criminal offense in Utah can require multiple court appearances to reach a resolution. If you have been charged with a crime in Utah, but are not a Utah resident, an experienced criminal defense attorney may be able to help you resolve
the case without returning to the state. . . .
You want the best defense. Agressive is good. But results ultimately are what really matter. Creating an effective strategy for defending against criminal prosecution requires a thorough understanding of statutes, case law, and evidentiary and procedural rules. A successful outcome is more likely when....
Strategy »
Defending against a criminal prosecution in Utah is a job that has to be done right the first time. Choosing the right attorney to defend you can be the most important decision you make. Our attorneys have extensive experience handling some of the most serious felony and misdemeanor charges on the books in Utah. No matter what charges you are facing, we can help....
Experience »
Jail time, prison time, thousands of dollars in fines, and the lifetime collateral consequences of having a criminal conviction on your record - all of these and more are at stake when you are facing criminal prosecution in Utah. Understanding what is at risk is critical. Even so-called "minor" misdemeanor cases can have serious consequences....
Consequences »
Never give up hope. Being charged with a crime is not the same as being convicted. And it is usually not the end of the world. While the consequences of a criminal charge can be serious, there are often several options and strategies for handling your case. Understanding your options and how an experienced criminal lawyer can help....
Reasons to 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
Serving Salt Lake, Davis, Weber, Utah, Cache, Tooele, Summit, Box Elder, and Wasatch Counties, and all of Utah.
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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