Salt Lake Criminal Defense Attorney Utah
Criminal Defense Attorney Stephen Howard
Call Criminal Defense Attorney in Utah
Call Utah Criminal Lawyer
Experienced Criminal Defense Attorneys / Former Prosecutors
Call 801-449-1409 now for help protecting your rights.
Utah Criminal Defense Lawyer Salt Lake City

Criminal Defense Solutions Start HereSM

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

Procedural Outline of a Utah Misdemeanor Case

This web page is part of a series of pages presenting an overview of case procedures in Utah's criminal court system. If you have been charged with a crime, it is important to have the assistance of an experienced criminal defense attorney. Based in Salt Lake City, Stephen Howard has successfully protected his clients' rights in thousands of cases ranging from homicide to white collar crime, and virtually everything in between. Contact us today to schedule an initial consultation.

Misdemeanor Arraignment

The first hearing in a Utah misdemeanor case is the arraignment. At this hearing, the court will provide formal notice to the defendant of the nature and number of charges that have been filed by the prosecutor. The defendant will be given a copy of the Information - the formal charging document filed by the prosecutor. Because the prosecutor has discretion in deciding which charges to file, the Information may contain more, different, or fewer charges than what was originally listed on the citation or what the defendant was originally booked on at the jail.

At the arraignment hearing, the court will also ask the defendant to enter a plea of guilty or not guilty. One of the biggest mistakes made in a Utah misdemeanor case can be entering a guilty plea at an arraignment hearing. Doing so deprives the defendant of the opportunity to test the prosecutor's case at trial, or alternatively to engage the prosecution in a meaningful negotiation to determine whether a negotiated resolution may provide a better result. Having the assistance of an experienced attorney is critical to determining the best defense strategy for the case.

Under Rule 11 of the Utah Rules of Criminal Procedure, a defendant cannot be required to enter a plea until the defendant has first had a reasonable opportunity to consult with a defense attorney. If a defendant has not had yet hired a criminal defense attorney, a defendant may ask the judge for additional time to obtain counsel, or the defendant may enter a not guilty plea.

There are sometimes exceptional circumstances where entering a guilty plea at an arraignment may be in the defendant's best interest. But it is important to have the advice and assistance of an experienced criminal defense attorney before making such a decision.

Next: Formal Discovery Requests
Previous: Jail Booking and Release - Bail and Bond Options
Main: Outline of Utah Criminal Case Procedures

Choosing the Right Utah Criminal Defense Attorney in Salt Lake

Misdemeanor criminal charges in Utah carry the possibility of extended jail sentences and thousands of dollars in fines. Having the right criminal defense attorney on your side can be critical to achieving the best outcome for your case.

Based in Salt Lake City, criminal defense lawyer Stephen Howard has successfully protected his clients' rights in thousands of serious felony and misdemeanor cases. His track record includes not guilty verdicts, dismissals, and appellate reversals in some of the most serious charges on the books in Utah.

Contact us now to arrange for an initial consultation for your Utah criminal case.


Best Rating
Make a Payment to Your Account
Get Help Now
Name: Email: Phone: Describe your legal needs here:
I accept the disclaimer below.
Disclaimer: No attorney-client relationship is established by the use of this form. Confidential or time-sensitive information should not be submitted through this form. By clicking 'submit' I am only requesting that I be contacted for the purpose of obtaining legal services.

This form protected by reCAPTCHA.

  • 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 Expungement Attorney Salt Lake Davis Expunged - Client with prior conviction for violent felony was ineligible for expungement through the courts. A successful 2-step reduction restored expungement eligibility and ultimately led to the court's decision to grant the requested expungement.
  • 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.
Best Criminal Defense Strategy

Aggressive is good. Effective is better. The best defense strategy in any given criminal case can require in-depth analysis of the facts and a thorough understanding of applicable statutes, case law, and complex procedural and evidentiary rules. Having an experienced attorney on your side....

Strategy »
Salt Lake Criminal Defense Attorney Profile Utah

Finding the right criminal defense lawyer for you Utah criminal case will be one of the most important decision you make. Before hiring any lawyer, there are a number of important factors to consider. The person you select as your criminal defense attorney will be responsible to defend your case and protect your rights....

Experience »
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....

Consequences »
Criminal Defense Attorney in Utah - Reasons to Hope

Clients sometimes ask what the "worst case scenario" is for their charges. We prefer to take a more positive approach. Facing criminal prosecution in Utah can have serious consequences. But you can take steps and make choices right now that will improve your chances of a positive outcome. Let us help you....

Reasons to Hope »
Home | Attorney Profile | Case Results | Criminal Code | FAQ | Legal Resources | Defense Strategy | Contact Us

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.