Bountiful, UT Criminal Defense Lawyer

Being arrested and charged with a crime is a nightmare nobody wants to have. An attorney can help you protect your rights while fighting the charges against you.
After being arrested, the police will likely take you to the nearest police station. Once there, you will be booked, and the police might want to interrogate you about the alleged crime. You should hire a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. You are entitled to have a lawyer with you, per your Miranda rights, and you should invoke these rights immediately. The potential criminal penalties in your case depend on how you are charged, and penalties might range from minor fines to significant jail time. A criminal defense lawyer can help you protect yourself during interrogation, challenge warrants, and suppress evidence.
Our criminal defense lawyers can help you fight criminal charges pending against you. For a free evaluation of your case, call Overson Law, PLLC at (801) 758-2287.
What Happens After Being Arrested in Bountiful, UT
How someone is arrested can be unpredictable. Sometimes, the defendant knows an arrest is imminent and can prepare to encounter the police. Others are taken by complete surprise. The police must have an arrest warrant to take someone into custody unless an exception to the warrant rule applies. In any case, the police will likely take you to the police station for processing and questioning.
You have likely heard that arrestees have the right to remain silent and do not have to answer any questions. While this is true, it does not apply to the booking process. When you are booked, the police will ask for your personal and biographical information. This is usually to enter you into their database and ensure they have the correct person. You usually must answer these questions and cannot refuse. Doing so might land you in more trouble.
After booking, the police might have a few questions to ask you. When the police have a person in custody and ask potentially incriminating questions about an alleged offense, their Miranda rights kick in. Your Miranda rights – often repeated on TV and in movies – include your right to remain silent and have a lawyer present. The police must inform you of these rights before beginning their line of questioning. If they do not, our criminal defense lawyers can help you challenge any incriminating details the police obtain from their unlawful questioning.
When to Hire a Criminal Defense Lawyer in Bountiful, UT
You should hire a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. Many defendants do not realize they need a lawyer until after they are arrested. In that case, you can invoke your Miranda rights, stop questions from the police, and contact an attorney. The police might try to discourage you from speaking to an attorney. They often emphasize that waiting for a lawyer means waiting at the police station, and answering their questions quickly will get you home faster. Do not be fooled. Call a lawyer.
Some defendants know that a warrant is out for their arrest, or they suspect that law enforcement is looking for them. The police might have spoken to people in the community about the defendant or even to the defendant themselves, and the defendant might see an arrest coming. In such a case, you should hire a lawyer before even being arrested. The sooner you can begin preparing with an attorney, the better. If you have had any suspicious encounters with law enforcement, had your home searched, or are otherwise aware of a criminal investigation, call our criminal defense lawyers for help immediately.
Possible Criminal Penalties in Bountiful, UT
Criminal charges are often very complex, and your unique combination of charges might be accompanied by an equally unique potential penalty. Our criminal defense lawyers can assess your charges, advise you of potential penalties, and help you fight the charges.
Felonies
Felonies are some of the most harshly punished criminal offenses on the books in Utah. Felonies are divided into three broad subcategories: first, second, and third-degree felonies. Third-degree felonies are the least severe, while first-degree felonies are the most. You should contact our criminal defense attorneys if you even suspect you might be charged with a felony.
According to Utah Code § 76-3-303, third-degree felonies can be punished by up to 5 years in prison. Second-degree felonies can be penalized with a prison term of at least 1 year but no more than 15. Finally, a first-degree felony conviction might be met with a prison sentence of at least 5 years and up to life.
Capital Felonies
In Utah, capital felonies may be met with a sentence of death or life in prison. There are only a few capital felonies on the books, and they are usually very violent offenses, like murder. According to Utah Code § 76-3-206(2)(a), a person who was at least 18 when the offense was committed may be sentenced to death or at least 25 years in prison and up to life. Capital penalties do not apply to defendants younger than 18 when the offense was allegedly committed.
Misdemeanors
Misdemeanors, while very serious charges, are somewhat less severe than felonies. Like felonies, misdemeanors are divided into 3 subcategories: Class A, B, and C. Although some lesser misdemeanor offenses are not punished very harshly, multiple charges can add up to a significant penalty, and you should call our criminal defense lawyers for help.
Under Utah Code § 76-3-204, a Class C misdemeanor is punishable by up to 90 days in jail. Class B misdemeanors are punishable by no more than 6 months in jail. Class A misdemeanors are only a single step below felonies and can be punished by up to 364 days in jail.
Call Our Bountiful, UT Criminal Defense Lawyers for Help Now
You should not face any criminal charges alone, and our criminal defense lawyers can help you protect your best interests and fight the charges. For a free review of your case and charges, call Overson Law, PLLC at (801) 758-2287.