Carrying a Concealed Weapon - Utah Criminal Defense
Lawyer
Carrying a concealed weapon without a permit in Utah can result in
criminal charges, jail or prison time, and thousands of dollars in
fines. Based in
Salt
Lake City, criminal defense attorney Stephen Howard has
successfully represented thousands of clients facing serious criminal
charges, with a track record of
results
that includes not guilty verdicts and dismissals on charges including
aggravated robbery, aggravated assault, domestic violence, weapons
charges, and more. If you are facing charges of
carrying a concealed dangerous weapon,
contact
us now to learn what an experienced
Utah criminal defense lawyer
can do for you.
Criminal Elements of Carrying a Concealed Weapon in Utah
Unless you have a concealed carry permit, Utah criminal law prohibits
the carrying of a concealed dangerous weapon either on your person or
in a place that is "readily accessible for immediate use which is not
securely encased." Exceptions are made under the criminal
code for people who are carrying the weapon in their own residence or
property, in their vehicle, or in a business "under the person's
control." (The addition of vehicles as an exception is a
relatively new change in the concealed dangerous weapons law. Former
versions of the concealed dangerous weapon criminal
law made it illegal to carry a concealed dangerous weapon in your own
vehicle.)
Most cases involving violations of Utah's criminal code for carrying a
concealed weapon
are charged as class B misdemeanors. If the weapon involved is
a
loaded firearm, the charge is increased to a class A
misdemeanor.
If the weapon is a sawed-off shotgun or
sawed-off rifle, the crime becomes a second degree felony.
Regardless of the nature of the concealed weapon, if the weapon is used
in the
commission of a violent
felony,
a prosecutor can file a second degree
felony charge for simply possessing or carrying the weapon as a second
charge in
addition to the other violent felony that was committed.
Consequences of Conviction for Carrying a Concealed Weapon
A
criminal charge for carrying a concealed dangerous weapon in Utah can
involve serious consequences. Depending on the circumstances and the
nature of the weapon involved, maximum penalties can range from six
months in jail for a class B misdemeanor to a potential 15-year prison
term for a second degree felony. Even if you are convicted for carrying
a concealed weapon, a judge may suspend the jail or prison sentence an
place a defendant on probation.
Finding an Experienced Criminal Attorney in Salt Lake City, Utah
If you are facing criminal prosecution for carrying a concealed
dangerous weapon, you should have an
experienced Utah
criminal defense
attorney on your side. Whether you are innocent and
intend to
fight the case at trial, or you are hoping to negotiate a resolution to
your case, an experienced criminal defense attorney can make all the
difference.
Stephen Howard has the skills, knowledge, and determination to help you
achieve the results you need in your case. 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 now to
schedule an initial consultation with an experienced, aggressive, and
effective criminal defense attorney in Utah.