As young people grow and experience the world, they may find themselves in trouble with the law. According to the Utah Division of Juvenile Justice Services, 26% of minors in Utah will have some kind of contact with the juvenile justice system. Charges against a child or teen can have a deep impact on parents, siblings, and extended family. These impacts may be lessened with the help of an experienced legal team.

For many, cash has been tight this year and the holidays are upon us, so it’s not a huge surprise that shoplifting cases have surged this month. Most people know shoplifting as a form of retail theft, but there are a number of other shoplifting-related activities that could land you in hot water with a retail theft charge. Here are four things you should know about retail theft and the potential consequences associated with retail theft charges in Utah.

As of 2015, Utah maintains a white-collar crime registry. It is currently the only such registry in the nation. Similar to the sex-offender registry, anyone can view who has been charged and convicted (within the past 10 years) of white-collar crimes such as money laundering, fraud, or theft by deception. With this added consequence for white-collar crime convictions in Utah, it’s imperative that you retain a legal team with proven experience defending these types of cases.

Cyberstalking, cyberbullying, or electronic communication harassment charges in Utah are serious. This year, with everyone spending even more time indoors and online, allegations of electronic harassment charges are only increasing. Under Utah law, you could be charged with cyberstalking if you have been accused of causing someone to fear their own (or someone else’s) safety and the result is “emotional distress." Since these crimes are based on intent and the feelings of others, you need an experienced legal team who will fight the charges against you.

Driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs (DUI) in Utah can lead to harsh criminal penalties for those found guilty. Several factors can determine how serious your charges for DUI might be. That’s why you need an experienced legal team who will fight for your rights—no matter the charges.

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.

Now that you understand how expungements work, this is what you need to know to begin the process and find the right lawyer to get the job done. 

While there may be some hoops to jump through, getting your adult criminal record expunged is a sought after process by many in Utah. Here are a few things you should know about how to expunge your adult criminal record.

Whether or not you committed the crime, you want an attorney who is completely on your team and wants the best outcome for you. You want someone who will move the process along so you can move on with your life.