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Midvale, UT Criminal Defense Lawyer

Salt Lake criminal defense lawyer

Allowing our lawyers to respond to your arrest and oversee your defense can improve your chances of beating the criminal charges filed against you in Midvale.

Our firm handles a range of criminal cases, from those involving juvenile defendants to those with defendants facing serious charges for criminal homicide or other violent offenses. Our initial aim will be to break down the charges filed against you, the circumstances of the arrest, and the prosecution’s evidence against you. How we proceed will vary, depending on the evidence and the defense we choose, and your case might not even proceed to trial if we present exculpatory evidence showing your innocence.

Call our criminal defense lawyers at (801) 758-2287 to discuss your case for free and confidentially with Overson & Bugden.

Criminal Cases Our Defense Lawyers Handle in Midvale, UT

Suppose you were recently arrested in Midvale and charged with crimes related to assault, drug possession, driving under the influence, theft, or violent crimes like criminal homicide. In that case, our attorneys can take on your case and identify the best path forward for you and your future.

Assault Charges

Attempting to or inflicting bodily harm on another person by using unlawful force is assault and is charged as a class B misdemeanor in Utah. Actually causing substantial bodily injury to another person would see the charge increased to a class A misdemeanor, which is punishable by up to 364 days in jail.

Aggravated assault involves the use of a dangerous weapon or motor vehicle or any attempt to cause serious bodily injury or death, such as obstructing another person’s airway. Aggravated assault is charged as a third degree felony in Utah, making it harder to expunge from your criminal record after conviction. Third degree felony convictions can also result in serious jail time for defendants, who might be imprisoned for up to five years for such offenses.

Drug Charges

Drug charges are some of the most common in Utah, varying based on the substance and its amount. For example, possession of a Schedule I or II controlled substance with intent to distribute would be charged as a second degree felony upon the first offense and a first degree felony upon the second. Possession with intent to distribute a Schedule III or IV substance, or marijuana, is charged as a third degree felony upon the first offense and a second degree felony upon the second offense. And possession with intent of a Schedule V drug is a class A misdemeanor.

Possession of a Schedule I or II drug without intent to distribute is charged as a class A misdemeanor upon the first and second conviction, but as a third degree felony if the next offense is committed within seven years.

Minors are most often charged with drug offenses in Utah, which could mark and follow them for the rest of their lives. In addition to mitigating the effects of such criminal charges, our lawyers can help juvenile defendants file for expungement to get drug charges erased from their records.

DUI Charges

Utah’s legal blood alcohol content (BAC) is 0.05%. Driving with a higher BAC is classified as a class B misdemeanor, according to Utah Code § 41-6a-502(a). Having passengers younger than 16 in the car, violating other traffic laws, or having a previous DUI conviction in the past 10 years could make the charge increase to class A misdemeanor. DUIs may be charged as third degree felonies punishable by up to five in prison and $5,000 in fines if defendants have two or more DUI convictions in the past decade or have been convicted of a separate felony.

Even if it is your first arrest for a DUI and you are being charged with a class B misdemeanor, the judge assigned to your case can set bail and may impose conditions on your probation if you are not sentenced to jail time. Among those conditions may be driving with an ignition interlock device in your car, and negotiating probation terms may help you stay out of jail following a DUI arrest in Midvale.

Theft Charges

Theft of property or services valued at more than $5,000 is charged as a second degree felony in Utah, according to § 76-6-404(3). If convicted, defendants could be sentenced to up to 15 years in prison for such offenses. An act is a third degree felony if stolen goods exceed $1,500 and is a class A misdemeanor if it is more than $500 in most cases. Our attorneys can also handle burglary charges, which involve unlawful entry to a property.

Weapons Charges

There are many weapons charges in Utah, ranging from offenses for carrying a loaded or concealed firearm to carrying a dangerous weapon while under the influence. Understanding your rights as a gun owner and Utah’s laws restricting where you can bring your firearm, as well as what to do if you are charged with a weapons offense.

Violent Crimes Charges

Our attorneys also help criminal defendants facing charges for violent offenses that could derail the rest of their lives if convicted. Crimes involving children, murder, or sex offenses are often taken very seriously in Utah, and defendants could be at a deficit because of the nature of the crimes they are charged with. In these situations, our criminal defense lawyers can ensure a fair bail amount is set and work on identifying a viable defense. For example, when defending murder charges, our lawyers may present evidence indicating you were acting in self-defense or defense of others. Involving experts to analyze crime scenes, interviewing eyewitnesses who were present during, or negotiating plea deals for lesser charges and sentences are various tactics our lawyers may use when representing such criminal defendants.

Call Our Midvale, UT Attorneys About Your Criminal Case Today

Call our criminal defense lawyers at (801) 758-2287 for a free case assessment from Overson & Bugden.