In 2020, violent crimes in Salt Lake City increased by more than 20 percent according to the Salt Lake Police Department. While there are likely many reasons for the increase, it’s no surprise that the pandemic hasn’t helped. Tensions are running high and people may find it more difficult to think before they act. If you are dealing with criminal charges for a violent crime, the lawyers at Brown, Bradshaw, and Moffat can help you protect your rights throughout the criminal process.

Whether you have been charged, indicted, arrested, or you are (or believe you are) under investigation for any crime, you should learn as much as you can about the potential punishments and penalties you may face if you’re convicted in Utah. This post is a quick and easy way to learn more about the basics of criminal penalty laws and sentencing. The best thing you can do if you are in legal trouble is to contact an experienced defense lawyer and go through all the details of your case.

While probation is for those who served jail time, parole is for those who have served time in prison. Parole allows individuals in prison to return to the community before the end of their prison sentence. But being released on parole comes with supervision and plenty of rules (conditions). The following 20 conditions are summarized explanations of the standard conditions for parole in Utah. However, special conditions may also be added depending on the circumstances.

If you have been sentenced to a prison term, the best thing to do is make the most of whatever time you serve—even if you plan to file an appeal. Focusing on what you can control and working to improve your circumstance will help you stay hopeful and resilient. While we acknowledge the flaws in the prison system and continue to fight for improvements, there are still positive opportunities for those serving time in Utah’s prisons. According to the Utah Department of Corrections website, 95% of those who leave the prison system lead successful, crime-free lives after they are released.

If you are convicted of a crime, your sentence from the legal system might include a fine and/or jail time. However, most criminal convictions also have collateral consequences: punishments that aren’t necessarily given through the legal system as part of a sentence. For example, you could lose the ability to work in certain jobs or even operate a motor vehicle. Below are 18 examples to give you a better idea of what those consequences might be. If you want to learn more, the National Inventory of Collateral Consequences of Conviction is a helpful database that you can search to learn about both state and federal consequences.

In Utah, theft is explicitly defined as a person who “obtains or exercises unauthorized control over the property of another with a purpose to deprive.” Under this definition, law enforcement could file charges of theft even based on your “intent” to deprive another of something. For example, if someone delivers a package to your house mistakenly and you keep it without any intent to return it, you could be charged with a theft crime.

With some of the strictest drug laws in the country, drug crimes in Utah can come with severe and lasting penalties. Additionally, with more of the states surrounding Utah legalizing recreational marijuana, law enforcement is on the lookout for people illegally transporting marijuana through the state—even if it was legally grown and sold in another state. If you or a loved one has been accused of a drug crime in Utah, here are four things you need to know.

Knowing the laws around the statute of limitations in Utah can be crucial to your case. In Utah, even if the statute of limitations has passed on your case, you still have to bring that up as a defense in a timely manner for it to be considered. For example, if you enter a plea or go to trial without properly raising the statute of limitations defense, you might forfeit the right to raise this defense on appeal. For this reason and many others, it’s crucial for you to understand the statute of limitations laws in Utah. This post will give you a quick outline to help you understand the basics, but you should consult with one of our experienced lawyers to learn how the laws affect your personal case.

When you’re on probation, the last thing you want to do is take a step backward instead of forward, which is exactly what can happen if you violate your probation. To be charged with a violation of probation (VOP), your probation officer has to file an affidavit describing how you violated your probation. An affidavit is a written statement under oath that can be used as evidence in court. If you know or suspect your probation officer is planning to submit or has already submitted, an affidavit, a criminal defense lawyer may be able to help you come into compliance with the outstanding terms or help you work on a good defense.