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

Utah Criminal Lawyer - Bail Reduction Hearings

Before pulling out your checkbook or credit card and posting bail or going to a bail bonds company in Utah, you should speak with an experienced criminal defense attorney to ensure that you understand the options you have. There may be cheaper alternatives that can save you thousands of dollars. Understanding your options can help you make the best decision.

As an experienced Utah criminal defense attorney based in Salt Lake City, Stephen Howard has assisted clients in securing release from jail in a wide variety of felony and misdemeanor cases, saving them thousands of dollars. Contact us today to schedule an initial consultation.

Constitutional Right to Bail in Utah

Cash Bail / Bail Bond Companies Salt Lake City UtahArticle I Section 8 of the Utah Constitution guarantees to each person charged with a crime the right have bail set by the court. Under the United States Constitution's Eighth Amendment, the bail amount set must be reasonable ("excessive" bail is prohibited). The Utah constitution does provide for exceptions to the right to bail, including: capital cases (aggravated murder); new felony crimes committed while on probation, parole, or while on release for a pending felony; or when there is clear and convincing evidence that the person's release would pose a substantial danger to another person or the community, or that the person is likely to flee if released.

Bail Reduction / Bond Hearings in Utah

While our constitutions guarantee that bail should be set in most cases, the amount set initially by the court may be more than a person can afford or more than is necessary to secure the defendant's appearance. When a criminal case is initially filed in the Utah court system, the judge will determine the initial bail amount based only on information presented to the court by the prosecution. Utah law provides that a defendant is entitled to a hearing to determine whether the initial bail amount is appropriate and to give the defendant an opportunity to present arguments supporting the request for a bail reduction.

Factors considered by a court in determining whether to grant a bail reduction can include: the severity and nature of the crime; the defendant's criminal history; the defendant's current employment status; opportunities for treatment (drug or alcohol abuse, domestic violence, anger management, etc.); the defendant's housing situation; the defendant's ties to the local community (as it relates to flight risk); potential risks to the community or alleged victim; and other factors considered relevant by the court. An experienced criminal defense attorney can help present your case to the court in a convincing manner.

Options for Obtaining a Release from Jail in Utah

Posting a cash bail is only one option for securing your release from jail while a criminal case is pending in Utah. Other options include a supervised release, release on your own recognizance, or posting a bond through a bail bonds company. If your case is filed in a court in Salt Lake County, you may be eligible for release through Salt Lake County Pretrial Services.

While a cash bail will be refunded by the court once the criminal case is concluded (assuming that the defendant has appeared at all required court hearings), fees paid to a bail bond company are not refundable.  Even if bail cannot be reduced to a level where a defendant can post a cash bail, obtaining a bail reduction prior to contacting a Utah bail bond company can potentially save thousands of dollars in non-refundable fees.

Finding a Criminal Defense Attorney in Utah

Criminal Attorney Salt LakeBased in Based in Salt Lake City, criminal defense attorney Stephen Howard provides services to clients throughout Utah. He 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 today to schedule an initial 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.
  • Minor Possession Alcohol - MIP AttorneyDismissed - Minor in possession charge (MIP) was dismissed by prosecutor when defense analysis demonstrated that the police had failed to obtain necessary evidence against client. Police had raided a large party involving underage drinking. Several individuals were charged, but police did not obtain evidence showing that client had personally consumed or possessed alcohol. Case was dismissed.
  • Utah Expungement Attorney Expungement - Worked to restore client's expungement eligibility through 402 reduction process, then filed successful expungement petitions in multiple courts obtaining expungement orders and clearing client's official criminal history.
  • 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.
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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....

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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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