Utah Misdemeanor Defense Attorney Salt Lake
Under Utah criminal law, a single misdemeanor charge can carry a
penalty of up to one year in jail plus a fine and surcharge of up to
$4,750. A misdemeanor conviction can also carry consequences beyond the
courtroom, that can affect a person's driver license, gun rights,
employment, professional licensing, and much more.
Utah criminal
defense
lawyer
Stephen Howard has been named to the National Order of Barristers and
has received the American College of Trial Lawyers Medal for Excellence
in Advocacy. He has successfully protected his clients' rights in
thousands of serious
felony
and misdemeanor cases during his career. He understands that
even misdemeanor cases need to be taken
seriously. He works personally with each client to develop a defense
strategy designed to meet each client's needs and goals.
With office centrally located in Salt Lake City, Mr. Howard provides
legal services to clients throughout Utah.
Contact
us today to schedule an initial
consultation
with an
experienced Salt Lake
criminal attorney.
Defending Misdemeanor Cases in Utah
The best strategy for defending against a Utah misdemeanor prosecution
will depend on the nature of the charge(s) filed, the specific facts of
the case, and the needs and goals of each individual client.
We conduct a thorough legal and factual analysis of the case,
identifying strengths and weaknesses in both the prosecution and
defense side of the case. This allows us to better determine whether a
motion to suppress, constitutional challenges, jury trial, or other
defense techniques are appropriate.
We also meet with each client, to determine what his or her individual
needs and goals are. For some people, keeping a conviction off their
record is important. For others, staying out of jail is critical. Some
people want to take the case "all the way," while others are hoping for
a fast negotiated resolution.
By considering our each of our client's individual circumstances and
needs, we are able to develop a defense strategy that is most likely to
achieve the necessary goals.
Jail Time in Utah Misdemeanor Cases
The following maximum penalties are associated with each class of
misdemeanor charge in Utah.
Class A Misdemeanor - 365 days jail; $4,750 (fine plus
surcharge)
Class B Misdemeanor - 180 days jail; $1,900 (fine
plus surcharge)
Class C Misdemeanor - 90 days jail; $1,425 (fine plus
surcharge)
If you are
facing multiple counts, district court or justice court judge has
discretion to run these sentences consecutively
(back to back) or concurrently (simulatenously). For example, two class
B misdemeanor six-month jail setences imposed consecutively could
result in nearly a full year in jail. A judge may impose consecutive
sentences for multiple misdemeanor charges contained in a single case.
Or, if a person has multiple cases pending, two different judges could
impose sentences consecutive to the other judge's sentence.
Other Consequences for Utah Misdemeanor Convictions
In addition to jail time and fines, a court may order payment of
restitution for damages or injuries resulting from a defendant's
criminal conduct. If a court grants a defendant the opportunity of
probation, the judge may impose a variety of conditions
including community service, drug or alcohol treatment,
domestic violence counseling, anger management classes, theft classes,
curfews, restrictions on travel, restrictions on personal associations,
and more.
In addition to direct consequences associated with the court's order,
many
misdemeanor charges carry other collateral consequences. For example, a
drug conviction for
possession
of marijuana or
drug
paraphernalia can
result in the loss of your driver's license for a year. A
domestic
violence conviction can result in restrictions on your right
to carry a firearm or ammunition. Many misdemeanor convictions have the
potential to affect employment or professional licensing.
It is tempting sometimes to think that because the case involves "just"
a misdemeanor, that hiring a criminal defense attorney is not
necessary. While misdemeanors are not as serious as felony charges, the
potential consquences of conviction can be severe. Having an
experienced defense attorney on your side can be critical to achieving
a successful outcome.
Finding a Misdemeanor Defense Lawyer in Salt Lake City, Utah

If
you are facing Utah criminal charges, you need an
experienced criminal defense lawyer with a
track
record
of achieving real results. Based in
Salt
Lake City, criminal defense attorney Stephen Howard has
achieved not guilty verdicts, dismissals, or appellate reversals in
felony
and misdemeanor cases including aggravated robbery,
drug
possession,
DUI,
shoplifting,
domestic violence, burglary,
child abuse,
theft,
reckless
endangerment, and more. He offers
legal services to clients throughout Utah.
Contact us today to
arrange for a confidential consultation and intial case
analysis.