In Utah, the Sentence and Release Guidelines are used by judges to determine what sentence someone convicted of a crime may receive. These guidelines are published in an appendix in Utah Court Rules Annotated and include mitigating and aggravating factors. Aggravating factors are things that can make sentencing harsher for those convicted of a crime. These factors might include:   -- [...]

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Child abuse is a serious problem in our nation. According to the Administration for Children and Families for the Department of Health and Human Services, in 2015, 2.98 million children in the U.S. were subjected to an investigation by Child Protective Services or another similar state department for allegations of child neglect or abuse. Twenty percent of the allegations that CPS investigated [...]

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Many people wonder when a police officer can search their vehicles. In Utah and across the rest of the country, police are limited to when they can search someone's car. The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution protects people from unlawful search and seizures. Police must have your permission, a search warrant or a valid reason to search your vehicle or your constitutional rights will be [...]

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A man from Utah was arrested for his part in a conspiracy that focused on the transportation of marijuana, and he was recently sentenced by a judge. He will be going to a federal prison, and he will have to spend 18 months behind bars. According to reports, the plans would have been transnational, indicating that they would have crossed country borders, as well as state borders. In the end, the[...]

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For those who have been charged with a crime in Utah, some of the legalese may seem a bit confusing. At Greg S. Law, we strive to make sure that our clients understand each part of the criminal defense process, including all the terms that might be used. One such phrase is "plea in abeyance." This is nothing more than a traditional plea agreement. A plea agreement is an agreement between the [...]

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Those who have been arrested for or accused of domestic violence in Utah may be served with a protection order. This is a court order that must be requested by the alleged victim or petitioner in a domestic violence case. There are two types of protection orders in Utah.     The first is a temporary protective order. This is issued if a judge believes that someone requires [...]

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Being sentenced to probation instead of jail or prison time can be a huge relief for those Utah residents found guilty of a criminal offense. However, a probation violation can end up costing you your freedom if the judge decides to revoke your probation. Every person placed on probation will have certain stipulations that must be met. For example, probation requirements may include paying [...]

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Those who are facing allegations of domestic violence need to be aware how serious the charges really are. This is one of those charges where the people closest to the defendant judge him or her to be guilty before the case even goes to court. These charges can be difficult to defend, but here are five possible defenses to domestic violence charges. 1. Consent. This is one of the rarest used, [...]

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What many people know about the criminal process comes from legal dramas on television or in the movies. There are many additional steps in the criminal trial process, though. Here is what to expect in the felony criminal trial process and what the role of the criminal defense attorney is: First appearance The defendant is notified of the charges and of his or her rights. He or she does not [...]

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Many people who are arrested in Utah on drug charges are eligible for drug court. However, there are strict guidelines that must be followed in order for a drug charge to be wiped away. Further, not every drug charge even qualifies for drug court in Utah. Below, you'll find some basic information on Utah drug courts that can help you determine if this is a viable option for your case. What is [...]

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