Ogden / Weber County Criminal Defense Lawyer
Criminal Defense Attorney Profile
Stephen
Howard has been named to the
National Order of Barristers and has been awarded the American College
of Trial Lawyers Medal for
Excellence in
Advocacy. Following his graduation,
cum
laude,
from Brigham Young University's J. Reuben Clark Law School, Mr.
Howard took a position with the Salt Lake
Legal Defender Association where his skill as a defense attorney
allowed him to quickly advance to the felony trial team. Ultimately
earning a position on the Association's capital defense team, Mr.
Howard acquired more courtroom experience in his first decade of
practice than most Utah attorneys will ever see.
As a
criminal defense attorney in private practice,
Mr. Howard offers clients in Ogden and Weber County a level of
experience
that is
hard to match. He has
defended thousands of serious felony and
misdemeanor cases during his
career. Yet he
understands that each case is unique, and each client has his or her
own unique goals and needs. Mr. Howard works personally with each
client, to ensure that he understands his client's goals and is able to
develop a defense strategy designed to meet each client's individual
needs.
The
best outcomes require the right attorney. Whether you have had new
criminal charges filed against you, are trying to clear your record
with an
expungement,
or have been simply contacted by police who want to "interview" you,
you need an attorney with the skill, knowledge, experience, and
determination needed to help you achieve the results you need. Mr.
Howard has the experience needed to ensure that your rights are
protected, no matter how serious the case.
If you are facing prosecution for a crime in Ogden or Weber County,
contact us now to arrange for
a confidential consultation.
Case Results and
Experience
If you are charged with a crime in the Ogden area, having an
experienced criminal defense attorney on your side can make all the
difference.
Utah
criminal defense lawyer Stephen Howard has
successfully defended some of the most serious criminal charges on the
books in Utah. His
track record
includes not guilty verdicts
or dismissals on serious felony cases including aggravated robbery,
aggravated
assault, burglary, theft, fraud, forgery. He has also handled a wide
variety of
misdemeanor cases for clients including
DUI,
drug charges,
MIP,
shoplifting, domestic violence, and
many
more.
Criminal Defense Strategy and Philosophy

Many
criminal attorneys claim to be "aggressive" or to "fight hard." That can be important. But it can be even more
critical to
have an attorney who really understands the criminal justice system and
the legal complexities that can be involved in successfully defending a
criminal case in Ogden, Utah. Fighting hard is good. But
fighting
smart is better.
There
are times when an aggressive defense is appropriate. But there are other
times that effective advocacy, subtle diplomacy, and a throrough
understanding of complex legal issues will achieve a better result.
Stephen Howard's
track record demonstrates
clearly that this approach to criminal defense really works.
Criminal Courts in Ogden and Weber County
Depending
on the level of the offense, a criminal case in Weber County will be
heard by either the
district court for Ogden or one of the city
justice
courts located in Weber County. The Ogden Second District Court has jurisdiction to hear all
levels of offenses - from capital felonies to minor misdemeanors. Most
class B and class C misdemeanors will be heard by the justice court
with geographical jurisdiction over the matter (the justice court for
city where the crime occurred). But all felony charges and class A
misdmeanors must be heard in the district court.
Conviction Consequences in a Utah Criminal Case
The
consequences
of a criminal conviction in Utah can be serious. Even a "minor"
misdemeanor case can carry the potential for substantial jail time and
thousands of dollars in fines and surcharges. Felony charges carry the
potential for extended prison sentences lasting years, and much higher
fines. In addition to the direct consequences imposed by the court, a
criminal conviction can carry collateral consquences that can affect a
person's driver license, employment, professional licensing, gun or
hunting rights, and much more.
If you are facing prosecution in Ogden or Weber County, it is vital that you have the assistance of an experienced
criminal defense attorney. While no attorney can guarantee a particular outcome for your case, an
experienced
criminal lawyer can help give you the best chances of avoiding the
potentially devistating consequences of a criminal conviction.
Confidential Criminal Defense Attorney Consultation

When
you are facing criminal prosecution, time can be critical. If
you
have been charged with a crime in the Ogden District Court or in one of
the justice courts in Weber County, Utah criminal defense attorney
Stephen Howard has the experience, skill, and determination to help you
get the
results you need.
Contact us now to
schedule an initial consultation.