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Criminal Defense Lawyer for Brigham Young University Students

Salt Lake criminal defense lawyer

Criminal charges can upend even the brightest and most promising of academic careers. If your son or daughter is arrested for on-campus or off-campus crimes while attending Brigham Young University (BYU), he or she risks devastating consequences, including jail time, criminal fines, victim restitution, community service, suspension of his or her driver’s license, probation, and suspension or expulsion from BYU. If your child is a college student who has been arrested for a felony or misdemeanor in Provo, protect their future by working with an experienced defense attorney for BYU students.

At Overson & Bugden, we have earned a reputation for providing the sort of aggressive, high-quality legal representation that your son or daughter deserves. With more than 16 years of experience fighting for justice in Utah’s courts, criminal lawyer Darwin Overson will dedicate himself to tireless advocacy on your child’s behalf. He may be able to lower your child’s bail amount, obtain a reduction in penalties, or have the charges dropped or dismissed. For a free legal consultation, call Overson Law 24 hours a day, seven days a week at (801) 758-2287, or contact us online.

Common College Campus Crimes in Utah

Certain types of offenses are common among young adults and college students. Examples of common student criminal charges in Utah include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Aggravated sexual assault
  • Disorderly conduct
  • Drug possession (simple possession of controlled substances)
  • DUI (driving under the influence)
  • Harassment
  • Identity theft
  • Public intoxication
  • Rape
  • Resisting arrest
  • Revenge porn offenses (distribution of an intimate image)
  • Selling drugs (possession with intent to distribute)
  • Shoplifting (retail theft)
  • Trespassing (criminal trespass)
  • Using a fake ID to buy alcohol (unlawful transfer or use of proof of age, false information)
  • Vandalism (criminal mischief)

What Penalties Can a Student Face for a Felony or Misdemeanor Offense?

The answer to this question depends on the way the offense is categorized. Excluding capital offenses, there are six offense levels in Utah:

  1. Class C Misdemeanors
  2. Class B Misdemeanors
  3. Class A Misdemeanors
  4. Third Degree Felonies
  5. Second Degree Felonies
  6. First Degree Felonies

There are different maximum fines and sentences associated with each of these categories. For example, a student who has been charged with a third degree felony faces harsher penalties than a student who has been charged with a Class A, B, or C misdemeanor. First degree felonies and Class A misdemeanors are, respectively, the most serious types of felony and misdemeanor offenses in Utah.

Utah Criminal Penalties for Felonies

If a student is convicted of a felony, he or she can be fined thousands of dollars, ordered to pay the victim restitution, and sentenced to more than a year in prison. He or she may be eligible for parole, probation, or court programs that provide alternatives to jail time. Utah felony penalties are as follows:

  • Third Degree Felony
    • Maximum Fine – $5,000
    • Maximum Sentence – 5 years in prison
  • Second Degree Felony
    • Maximum Fine – $10,000
    • Maximum Sentence – 15 years in prison
  • First Degree Felony
    • Maximum Fine – $10,000
    • Maximum Sentence – Life in prison

These fines can be compounded by restitution and other fees.

Utah Criminal Penalties for Misdemeanors

Misdemeanor penalties in Utah are as follows:

  • Class C Misdemeanor
    • Maximum Fine – $750
    • Maximum Sentence – 90 days in jail
  • Class B Misdemeanor
    • Maximum Fine – $1,000
    • Maximum Sentence – Six months in jail
  • Class A Misdemeanor
    • Maximum Fine – $2,500
    • Maximum Sentence – One year in jail

Brigham Young University Policy When a Student is Arrested

The following excerpt is quoted directly from Brigham Young University’s Honor Code Investigation and Administrative Review Process: if a student is arrested or charged with a crime, BYU reserves the right to “take immediate action, including, but not limited to, placing a hold on registration, future re-admission and/or graduation, probation, suspension, or dismissal, or may elect not to take any action at all.” Continuing, the policy states that, once the government’s and/or university’s case is resolved, BYU may halt or alter any actions being taken against the student.

While criminal charges are pending, BYU “retains the right to conduct its own independent investigation and to reach a determination which may or may not be consistent with the outcome of… criminal… proceedings.” Thus, the courts and the university may arrive at different conclusions regarding the same allegations.

Provo Defense Attorney for BYU Criminal Proceedings and Disciplinary Actions

Your child’s future is at stake if he or she is under investigation for an alleged crime. If you son or daughter is an undergraduate at BYU, and he or she is facing felony or misdemeanor charges, Overson Law is here to provide your family with clear, realistic, and strategic legal guidance.

With an extensive track record of handling sex crimes, drug crimes, weapons crimes, property crimes, violent crimes, and other types of offenses in Utah, Darwin Overson is the advocate your family needs to go up against the system. Contact us online today to set up a free consultation, or call Overson & Bugden at (801) 758-2287.