Salt Lake Criminal Defense Attorney Utah
Criminal Defense Attorney Stephen Howard
Call Criminal Defense Attorney in Utah
Call Utah Criminal Lawyer
Experienced Criminal Defense Lawyers / Former Prosecutors
Call 801-449-1409 now to see what our criminal defense team can do for you.
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

Own Recognizance ("OR") Release - Utah Criminal Attorney

If you are facing criminal charges in Utah, a court may issue an arrest warrant and order that you be held in jail while the case is pending. Police may also arrest you immediately before the case is even filed under some circumstances. An "own recognizance" or "OR" release is one option that may allow you to be released from jail while the case is pending.

Based in Salt Lake City, criminal attorney Stephen Howard has successfully protected his clients' rights in felony and misdemeanor cases ranging from homicide to DUI. Contact us now to schedule an initial consultation

When will a Utah criminal court order an OR release?

Salt Lake Metro JailAn “own recognizance” or “OR” release from jail may be allowed by a court in Utah criminal cases where the court is convinced that the defendant is not a flight risk and does not pose a risk to the alleged victims or to the community in general. Other factors that may be considered by the court may include hardships that the defendant may be faced with if he/she is incarcerated during the pendency of the criminal case, the defendant’s prior criminal history, the number of charges in the current case, the severity of the charges, injuries or damages alleged to have been caused by the defendant, the length of time it is anticipated that it will take to resolve the case, or other relevant factors.

A criminal defendant does not have a "right" to be released on his or her own recognizance. In most cases, a defedant has a constitutional right to have bail set at a reasonable amount. But the decision to grant an "OR" release is discretionary with the court. Having an experienced criminal defense attorney on your side can give you the best chance of obtaining an own recognizance release.

Are there other alternatives for release from jail?

If a judge refuses to grant an own recognizance release, there may be other alternatives to securing your release from jail while your case is pending. If bail has been set, you may post a cash bail or you may consider using a bail bonds company to post a bond. Before posting a bond, you should also consider whether the court is likely to consider a request to reduce the amount of your bail. In some cases, even where a judge refuses to grant an own recognizance release, the court may be willing to allow a supervised release from jail. A bail reduction or a supervised release agreement may save you thousands of dollars in bail bond costs.

Choosing a Criminal Defense Attorney in Salt Lake City

Utah Criminal Defense LawyerIf you are facing criminal charges in Utah, it is important to contact an experienced criminal defense attorney immediately. The best results in your criminal case can often depend on having your attorney’s involvement in all stages of the case. Based in Salt Lake City, criminal defense lawyer Stephen Howard provides legal services to clients throughout Utah. He has achieved not guilty verdicts, dismissals, and appellate reversals in some of the most serious criminal charges on the books in Utah.

Contact us today to schedule an initial consultation.

RELATED CRIMINAL DEFENSE TOPICS



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 allegedly pointing handgun at and threatening another driver during a road rage incident. Defense investigation and analysis, combined with effective cross-examination at trial indicated the alleged victim was the initial aggressor and suported client's self-defense claim. Jury acquitted client at trial.
  • 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 Expungement Lawyer 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.
  • Violent Crimes Assalt Defense UtahDismissed at Preliminary Hearing - Client charged with aggravated robbery and facing life in prison. Full case analysis and consultation with client allowed the development of a strong defense strategy. Effective cross-examination of the alleged victim at the preliminary hearing resulted in an outright dismissal of all charges by the judge.
Best Criminal Defense Strategy

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 »
Salt Lake Criminal Defense Attorney Profile Utah

With decades of combined experience, our criminal defense team attorneys have the knowledge, skill, and determination to help you achieve the results you need. Facing criminal prosecution in Utah can have serious consequences. Choosing the best attorney to defend your case may be one of the most important decisions you will ever make....

Experience »
Conviction Consequences in Utah Criminal Prosecutions

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 »
Utah Criminal Defense Attorney - Reasons to Hope

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 »
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.