Utah Reckless Endangerment Attorney - Salt Lake Criminal Lawyer

A Utah criminal conviction for reckless endangerment can result in up to a year in jail and thousands of dollars in fines. Stephen Howard represents clients facing reckless endangerment and other criminal charges throughout Utah. From his office in Salt Lake City, he has successfully handled thousands of serious felony and misdemeanor cases. As a Utah criminal defense attorney, his record of results includes not guilty verdicts and outright dismissals on cases including reckless endangerment and many more. Contact us today to arrange for an initial consultation.

Elements of a Reckless Endangerment Charge in Utah

Utah Code Ann. 76-5-112, states that the crime of reckless endangerment is committed "if, under circumstances not amounting to a felony offense, the person recklessly engages in conduct that creates a substantial risk of death or serious bodily injury to another person."

To obtain a criminal conviction for reckless endangerment, a prosecuting attorney does not have to show any actual injury or harm. Nor does the prosecutor have to prove that a defendant intended to cause injury or harm.

Instead, the prosecutor has to show that the defendant created a substantial risk of death or serious bodily injury. And the prosecutor must show that the defendant acted "recklessly" in creating that risk.

Utah Criminal Code Definition of "Reckless"

The Utah criminal code 76-2-103 states that a person acts "recklessly with respect to circumstances surrounding his conduct or the result of his conduct when he is aware of but consciously disregards a substantial and unjustifiable risk that the circumstances exist or the result will occur. The risk must be of such a nature and degree that its disregard constitutes a gross deviation from the standard of care that an ordinary person would exercise under all the circumstances as viewed from the actor's standpoint."

Finding a Criminal Defense Lawyer in Salt Lake City, Utah

Although the crime of reckless endangerment is broadly defined, your chances of a successful outcome in your case can be substantially improved when you have an experienced and effective Utah criminal defense attorney on your side. Based in Salt Lake City, criminal defense lawyer Stephen Howard has the experience to help you get the results you need. Contact us now for an initial consultation.