It’s a common misconception that going out at night to vandalize someone else’s property is a “harmless prank.” In reality, even something as seemingly innocuous as throwing toilet paper over the trees in someone’s yard is a crime. This can lead to serious consequences, and they may get worse if you’re not being represented by a lawyer.

Even if you have been charged with what you feel is minor damage to property, law enforcement has plenty of tactics to investigate and prosecute property crimes and give punishments that seem more severe than the crime. This is partly because it’s common for law enforcement to use the criminal justice system as a collection agency in civil disputes. Additionally, many cases of property crime stem from a dispute about property rights and overexaggerated accusations, so proving guilt isn’t always straightforward. This is why it’s important to have an experienced lawyer go through your case. If you have been charged with a property crime of any severity, there are options available. There are other options than just pleading guilty.

Taking risks is part of life, but it’s important to help your child understand the difference between risks that can help her learn and grow and risks that lead to serious consequences. On top of that, many children struggle with impulse control, so they may take unhealthy risks because they “want to” without considering any of the consequences.

Asset forfeiture laws in Utah allow law enforcement to seize property if they have cause to believe it’s connected to a crime. Some officers may take advantage of this loose definition and seize property for unjust reasons. The most common scenario is an officer taking a small amount of cash or a vehicle during a traffic stop. According to Utah law, you don’t have to be charged of a crime for an officer to take your property.

Sex crimes in Utah are more common than you might think. In 2023, there were about 4,970 cases reported to the state Bureau of Criminal Identification. When you apply this number to the population of Utah (3.418 million), that is 145.4 cases per 100,000 people. 

Using unlawful force to inflict injury on another person — or even threatening to do so — can lead to some serious consequences, including jail time, hefty fines, and a criminal record that affects your future. In some states, carrying out the unlawful force is called “battery,” and threatening to do so is called “assault.” However, in Utah, “battery” doesn’t exist. You can either get an assault charge or a something related to “threat of violence.”

While Utah is fairly safe in terms of homicide, that doesn’t mean people don’t get hurt. In 2024, authorities dealt with over 18,000 assault cases, according to the state’s Bureau of Criminal Identification. If you’re accused of this crime, the ty

Utah is known for its strict alcohol laws, and its DUI laws are just as rigid. A basic traffic stop can turn south quickly if the police officer has probable cause to believe you are driving drunk or under the influence of drugs. If the cop has probable cause to arrest you, you’ll likely be put in jail until someone pays bail. Whether or not you spend more time behind bars for your first DUI in Utah completely depends on the situation.