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Pleasant Grove, UT Criminal Defense Lawyer

Salt Lake criminal defense lawyer

Defending criminal charges can be a tall task, especially when defendants are unfamiliar with the criminal justice system or facing serious consequences upon conviction.

Our team of experienced attorneys in Pleasant Grove can help defendants synthesize the charges filed against them and break down the prosecution’s case, launching our own investigation to uncover exculpatory evidence. We can ensure you appreciate the potential consequences upon conviction and walk you through what processing and arraignment may look like following an arrest. If you have an existing criminal record, we can see if you qualify for expungement because enough time has passed since your case. If you do, we can start the process to erase your past criminal convictions in Utah.

For a free review of your case from Overson & Bugden, call our criminal defense lawyers now at (801) 758-2287.

Defending Criminal Charges in Pleasant Grove, UT

The first step in preparing your defense against criminal charges is understanding the charges themselves and what led to your arrest. If you have yet to be formally charged, our attorneys can prepare you for an upcoming indictment and what will come next.

To begin, if police officers were led in your direction by another witness, our attorneys would investigate those witnesses further to learn more about their involvement. We may also confirm any alibi you have for the time in question and review other exculpatory evidence that may be in your favor. Being mistakenly identified for a crime you did not commit could upend your life, and our attorneys can help defendants address such situations with alibis and showing the lack of physical evidence tying them to scenes.

When charged with assault or criminal homicide, our attorneys may aim to prove you were acting in self-defense or defense of others, getting eyewitness statements to corroborate your defense and using qualified experts as necessary.

In some cases, our criminal defense lawyers may negotiate lesser charges or probation conditions in lieu of jail time, such as for first-time driving under the influence or drug offenses. Assuming that a class B or A misdemeanor cannot negatively affect or lead to a short prison stint just because it is not a felony is unwise, as such offenses can still have serious consequences for defendants upon conviction, even if they are just reputational.

The more time we have to identify and prepare a strong defense and synthesize the prosecution’s case, the better, so do not hesitate to contact our experienced lawyers after an arrest in Pleasant Grove.

Overseeing Post-Arrest Procedures for Criminal Charges in Pleasant Grove, UT

After you are arrested and while you are in police custody, you could be vulnerable in many ways. Not only is the process confusing, but it can be intentionally frightening, and our attorneys can help you navigate this time and know what to expect.

After someone is arrested, they will be processed. At this point, it is important to understand that you have not been formally charged with a crime, despite the fact that officers might fingerprint, photograph, and want to question you. This period is when you might be most emotional and upset, so it is crucial not to talk to law enforcement without our attorneys in the room. We can advocate for your rights during this time to ensure you are not being unfairly held without reason.

If the prosecutor decides to file formal charges against you in court, you will be arraigned in front of a judge and the bail hearing may happen. During this court appearance, our lawyers will advocate for your release during your trial, arguing against attempts from the prosecution to get the bail set too high. If the judge sets bail in your case, we can explain how your loved ones can post it as soon as possible.

While you are out on bail in Pleasant Grove, you might have to follow certain rules set by the judge. Our attorneys can make sure you follow all conditions of your release during the trial and are present at all mandatory court appearances so the judge does not revoke your bail before the verdict.

Erasing Past Convictions from Your Criminal Record in Pleasant Grove, UT

Expungement wipes the slate clean on your criminal record, blocking anyone from seeing your previous convictions. Our attorneys can help you initiate this process as soon as you become eligible after serving your time or completing the provisions of your probation or parole in Pleasant Grove.

Whether or not a conviction comes with jail time, it could be a stain on your record, preventing you from finding employment or affecting you in other ways. Eligible felonies can be expunged after seven years or five years for drug possession offenses. Class A misdemeanors are expungable after five years, class B misdemeanors after four years, and class C misdemeanors or infractions after three years. There is also a caveat for misdemeanor DUIs, which are only expungable after 10 years in Utah.

Our lawyers can get arrests expunged within 30 days of persecutors declining to file charges, and charges expunged within 30 days of a case being dismissed without prejudice or 180 days of being dismissed with prejudice. Furthermore, if you were acquitted at trial, we will only have to wait 30 days to file for expungement.

Even if you qualify for expungement based on the amount of time that has passed, you could be denied for other reasons. For example, having multiple felony convictions across several episodes or many misdemeanor convictions could lead to a rejection of your expungement request, and our lawyers can anticipate and prepare for these possibilities when working on your expungement case in Pleasant Grove.

Call Our Attorneys for Help in Pleasant Grove, UT

Call Overson & Bugden’s criminal defense lawyers at (801) 758-2287 for help with your case today.