Utah Justice Courts - Salt Lake Criminal Attorney
Utah's
justice courts have limited jurisdiction to hear criminal cases at only
the class B
misdemeanor
level and below. But while these misdemeanors
are less serious than
felony or
class A misdemeanor charges,
the consequences of a conviction in a Utah justice court can still
include substantial jail time, thousands of dollars in fines, loss of a
driver license, restricted rights to carry firearms, and
more.
If you
are facing criminal prosecution in a justice court, it is important to
have an
experienced criminal
defense lawyer on your side. Based in
Salt Lake City,
criminal attorney
Stephen Howard has protected his clients' rights in thousands of Utah
criminal
cases. He has the experience, knowledge, and determination to help you
get the results you need.
Contact
us today
to schedule an initial consultation.
Criminal Jurisdiction for Justice Courts in Utah
Many
cities and counties in Utah have established justice courts to handle
class B misdemeanor and lower level criminal cases. The geographic
jurisdiction of each justice court is based on the city or county in
which the court is located. A county justice court will typically have
jurisdiction
throughout the county, with the exception of any cities or towns which
have an established municipal justice court. A city or municipal
justice court will
typically have jurisdiction only within the incorporated borders the
city or town.
Exceptions can be made which will broaden the jurisdiction of a city
justice court. For example, through an agreement between the two
cities, the
Holladay
Justice Court has jurisdiction over cases occurring both in
Holladay and in Cottonwood Heights.
Under Utah law,
a justice court has jurisdiction to hear criminal matters only at the
class B or C misdemeanor level as well as infractions. A justice court
may also hear small claims civil actions.
Potential Criminal Penalties in Utah Justice Courts
The
most serious criminal offense that can be heard in a Utah justice court
is a class B misdemeanor. Under Utah law, a class B misdemeanor is
punishable by up to 180 days in jail and up to $1,900 in fines and
surcharges. Class C misdemeanors are punishable by up to 90 days in
jail and more than $1,400 in fines and surcharges.
In cases
involving multiple criminal charges, or when a defendant has multiple
pending cases, a Utah justice court judge has discretion to impose
sentences either concurrently (running together or simultaneously) or
consecutively (running back-to-back). If the court imposes consecutive
sentences, then the length of a defendant's jail sentence can quickly
double, triple, or more.
Criminal Appeals from Justice Courts in Utah
Justice
courts in Utah are not considered to be courts "of record." Since there
is no official record to review, an
appeal
from the justice court
consists of a "de novo" trial or hearing in the district court. Whereas
a successful appeal from a district court to the Utah Court of Appeals
or Utah Supreme Court
requires a showing that a reversible error was committed
in the district court, a "de novo" appeal from a justice court gives
the defendant an automatic "do over" for a conviction or other ruling
in the justice court.
Not all orders of a justice court are automatically appealable. The
Utah legislature has placed some limits on what can be appealed from
the justice court to the district court.
A notice of appeal must be filed within 30 days of the court's ruling.
If you are considering filing an appeal, it is important to speak
immediately with an experienced criminal attorney to ensure that your
rights are protected.
Finding a Utah Criminal Defense Lawyer in Salt Lake

When
facing
criminal prosecution in Utah, you deserve to have an experienced
criminal defense lawyer
to ensure that your rights are protected. Based
in Salt Lake City, criminal attorney Stephen Howard offers legal
services to clients in justice courts and district courts throughout
Utah. He has a
record of results
that includes not guilty verdicts,
dismissals, and appellate reversals on some of the most serious charges
on the books in Utah. He also understands that even "minor" charges can
carry severe consequences, and takes every case seriously.
Contact us today to
schedule a confidential attorney consultation.
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