Utah 402 Reduction Attorney - Felony to Misdemeanor - West Jordan Criminal Defense
You may be eligible to have your felony charges reduced to misdemeanors if you have successfully completed your felony probation. Call Utah criminal defense attorney Stephen Howard to see if you qualify to get your charges reduced.Once your probation is terminated successfully, it is best not to wait. Some people have missed the chance to get their felony charges reduced when they picked up new charges after they completed probation. Even if the new charge is just a misdemeanor, that can be enough to convince a judge not to reduce the felony conviction to a misdemeanor.
Having a felony conviction on your record in Utah can make it harder to get a job, harder to find a place to live, and much more. If you have been convicted of a felony in Utah, then you probably know all too well how difficult a felony can make your life.
But if you have completed your probation successfully, you may be eligible to have your charges reduced to misdemeanors under Utah Code Section 76-3-402. A reduction under this section is often called a "402 reduction." Even a second degree felony conviction can sometimes be reduced to a misdemeanor.
Getting your conviction reduced can also speed up the expungment process. For example, a 3rd degree felony has a seven year waiting period from the end of probation. But once the conviction is reduced to a class A misdemeanor, the waiting period shortened by two years.
The reduction is not automatic. To obtain a Utah 402 reduction, you will have to demonstrate that it is in "the interests of justice" to reduce your felony conviction to a misdemeanor. It is important to have an experienced, pesuasive Utah criminal defense attorney advocating for you to give you the best chance of getting your charges reduced.
You worked hard to complete probation successfully. It is definitely worth the extra effort to get your charges reduced. The payoff for losing that "convicted felon" label is worth it.
With offices located in downtown Salt Lake City, Stephen Howard is pleased to serve clients in West Jordan and throughout Utah.
Contact us today for an initial consultation with Salt Lake criminal defense lawyer Stephen Howard. Start the process of getting your charges reduced.
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- Felonies / Misdemeanors
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- Selected Victories
Not Guilty - Client was charged with aggravated assault for alleged attack using broken bottle as a weapon. Despite the testimony of numerous prosecution witnesses, thorough defense investigation to support a self-defense claim resulted in acquittal by jury at trial.
Dismissed on Appeal - DUI case was dismissed after a successful appeal where the Utah Court of Appeals reversed the trial court's denial of the defense motion to suppress. Without the suppressed evidence, the prosecutor acknowledged that they did not have sufficient evidence to proceed to trial and the case was dismissed.
2-Step Reduction - Client needed a two-step reduction to bring a prior conviction to the misdemeanor level. Collection of substantial evidence of reform and rehabilitation convinced a normally reluctant prosecutor to stipulate to the defense 402 reduction motion.
Not Guilty - Client was charged with second-degree felony residential burglary and facing potential prison time. Investigation by the defense revealed multiple witnesses, missed by police and prosecutors, who supported client's claim of innocence. At trial, the jury returned a "not guilty" verdict on all charges.
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Can
I handle a Utah misdemeanor from out-of-state? - Even if you do not intend to take your case to trial, a misdemeanor criminal offense in Utah can require multiple court appearances to reach a resolution. If you have been charged with a crime in Utah, but are not a Utah resident, an experienced criminal defense attorney may be able to help you resolve
the case without returning to the state. . . .
Successfully defending against criminal prosecution requires more than just an 'aggressive' defense. The best defense attorneys understand that a sophisticated defense requires a thorough understanding of a variety of nuanced legal issues, real experience in the courtroom, good negotiation skills, and much more. Fighting hard is good. Fighting smart is better....
Strategy »
Finding the right criminal defense lawyer for you Utah criminal case will be one of the most important decision you make. Before hiring any lawyer, there are a number of important factors to consider. The person you select as your criminal defense attorney will be responsible to defend your case and protect your rights....
Experience »
A Utah criminal prosecution can result in a lifetime of consequences. Beyond jail and prison, a conviction can affect many areas of life, including employment, housing, finances, family, and much more. Never plead guilty without first consulting with an experienced criminal attorney. Understanding what is at stake is the first step....
Consequences »
Facing criminal prosecution in Utah can feel like your world is collapsing. But there are reasons to remain hopeful, and there are things you can do right now that can help increase the odds of a successful outcome. An experienced criminal defense attorney can help you evaluate the various options you have, and can help you....
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Serving Salt Lake, Davis, Weber, Utah, Cache, Tooele, Summit, Box Elder, and Wasatch Counties, and all of Utah.
Attorney Stephen Howard practices as part of the Canyons Law Group, LLC and Stephen W. Howard, PC.
Offices in Salt Lake and Davis Counties
560 South 300 East, Suite 200, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
952 S. Main St., Suite A, Layton, UT 84041
Call now to arrange for a confidential initial consultation with an experienced and effective Utah criminal defense lawyer.
In Salt Lake City, call 801-449-1409.
In Davis County, call 801-923-4345.
Stephen W. Howard, PC
Serving Salt Lake, Davis, Weber, Utah, Cache, Tooele, Summit, Box Elder, and Wasatch Counties, and all of Utah.
Offices in Salt Lake and Davis Counties
560 South 300 East, Suite 200, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
952 S. Main St., Suite A, Layton, UT 84041
Call now to arrange for a confidential initial consultation with an experienced and effective Utah criminal defense lawyer.
In Salt Lake City, call 801-449-1409.
In Davis County, call 801-923-4345.
Stephen W. Howard, PC
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