Procedural Outline of a
Utah Felony Defense Case
This page is part of a series of web pages intended to give a
general overview
of the criminal case process in Utah's court system. If you are facing
felony criminal charges, the assistance of an
experienced
Utah
criminal defense attorney
can
be invaluable. Based in Salt Lake City, criminal defense lawyer Stephen
Howard has obtained not guilty verdicts, dismissals, and appellate
reversals in some of the most serious felony charges on the books in
Utah.
Contact
us today to schedule an initial consultation.
Initial Appearance / Felony First Appearance
In a
misdemeanor case, the first court hearing is the arraignment. In a
Utah
felony case, the arraignment is not held until after a preliminary
hearing is conducted (unless waived), and a probable cause
determination has been made by the court and a bindover order issued.
The
first hearing in a Utah felony case is called by different names,
depending on what county the case is being heard in. Some courts will
call it an initial appearance. Others will call it a felony first
appearance. But the substance of the hearing
is essentially the same regardless of the name used.
At a
first hearing in a felony case, the defendant is given formal notice of
the charges
that have been filed by the prosecuting attorney. Normally, the court
will provide a copy of the formal charging document - the
"Information." In some courts, the judge will read the Information in
open court. In many courts, the judge will ask if the defendant wants
the Information read aloud, or if the defendant is willing to waive the
reading.
The
court will also inquire at this hearing as to whether the
defendant is represented by
counsel, will be hiring counsel, or will be requesting the appointment
of a public defender. Because the potential consequences of a felony
conviction are severe, it is always advisable to have the assistance
of an experienced criminal defense attorney.
Next: Formal
Discovery Requests
Previous:
Jail Booking and Release Options
Main:
Procedural Outline of a Utah Criminal Case
Choosing a Criminal Defense Attorney in Salt Lake City, Utah
If you are facing prosecution for criminal charges, having an
experienced Utah
criminal defense attorney
on your side can make all the difference. Based in Salt Lake City,
criminal lawyer Stephen Howard provides legal services to clients
throughout Utah. His
track record
includes not guilty verdicts, dismissals, and appellate reversals in
cases including aggravated robbery, child kidnapping, drug
distribution, white collar crimes, burglary, forgery, and more. He has
the experience, knowledge, skill, and determination necessary to help
you get the results you need.
Contact us today to schedule
an
initial consultation.