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Consequences of Perjury in Utah Criminal Court.

Consequences of Perjury in Utah Criminal Court

Witness testimony can have a dramatic effect on criminal proceedings. It can be the deciding factor in determining guilt or innocence and whether a defendant will be incarcerated or set free. Nonetheless, witnesses are not infallible. While an honest… Read More
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Categories: Criminal Defense
What is a Preliminary Hearing in Utah?

What is a Preliminary Hearing in Utah?

Anyone charged with a crime in the United States is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Before arresting a suspect, police must have probable cause to believe they committed a crime. In felony and Class A misdemeanor case… Read More
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Categories: Criminal Defense
Why You Shouldn’t Represent Yourself in a Criminal Case.

Why You Shouldn’t Represent Yourself in a Criminal Case

Anyone charged with a crime in the United States has the legal right to represent themselves. But, it is rarely a good idea. The United States criminal legal system is an adversarial one that operates under the principle that a person can only be con… Read More
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Categories: Criminal Defense
Are Polygraph Tests Admissible as Evidence in Utah.

Are Polygraph Tests Admissible as Evidence in Utah

While movies and TV crime dramas may depict the lie detector test as the ultimate way to catch a criminal, polygraph evidence is almost exclusively inadmissible in Utah legal proceedings. Utah law does not currently allow polygraph evidence to be int… Read More
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Categories: Criminal Defense
How Do Search Warrants Work in Utah.

How Do Search Warrants Work in Utah

A search warrant is a court order that allows law enforcement officials to search a specific location for specific evidence that can be used to charge a person with a crime. To obtain a warrant, law enforcement officers must convince a judge they hav… Read More
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Categories: Criminal Defense
The Entrapment Defense in Utah.

The Entrapment Defense in Utah

A criminal defendant can raise the defense of entrapment to claim they were coerced or induced by law enforcement officers to commit a crime they would not have otherwise committed. The goal of an entrapment defense is to show that the government imp… Read More
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Categories: Criminal Defense
How Social Media Impacts Criminal Cases.

How Social Media Impacts Criminal Cases

Some days, it can feel like social media is everywhere. Whether it’s FaceBook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, or another service, social media has become an important platform for communication, self-expression, and information… Read More
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Categories: Criminal Defense
What are one's rights if stopped by police in Utah?

What Are My Rights If Stopped by Police in Utah

An encounter with the police can be intimidating, even if you have done nothing wrong. Fortunately, the Constitution provides basic legal protections when people are stopped by police. However, the laws that govern interactions with police officers h… Read More
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Categories: Criminal Defense
Can Prior Convictions for Similar Crimes Be Used Against You?

Can Prior Convictions for Similar Crimes Be Used Against You?

If you were charged with a crime and have prior convictions, your criminal record could affect the outcome of your new criminal case. Whether evidence of prior convictions is admissible depends on whether the evidence is being offered at trial or at… Read More
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Categories: Criminal Defense
Misdemeanor vs Felony Explained.

Misdemeanor vs Felony Explained

Criminal charges in Utah are categorized as felonies or misdemeanors. Felony crimes are more serious. They carry longer prison sentences and higher fines. If you have been charged with a crime, regardless of whether it is a felony or a misdemeanor, h… Read More
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Categories: Criminal Defense