Articles

Utah’s new child-torture law is one of the most powerful and punitive criminal statutes in the state. It reshaped the way prosecutors charge...

In 2025, Utah created a new criminal offense called child torture under Utah Code 76-5-109.4. The law targets the most extreme abuse cases involving...

A few years ago, an old friend from junior high reached out after more than twenty-five years. When I told him I was a criminal defense attorney, he...

If you are unhappy with the outcome of your criminal case, you might consider appealing it to a higher court. Appeals can be costly and slow, so it...

Utah Code §76‑5-402.2 outlines the laws regarding "object rape". Here’s a clear overview of what “object rape” means and potential legal...

Utah believes in second chances. The state offers several paths to clean up a criminal record, including pardons, expungements, 402 reductions, and...

In State v. Bell, 2025 UT App 169, the Utah Court of Appeals issued a significant decision that reshapes how prosecutors must approach...

Lewdness is one of Utah's broadest and most frequently charged sexual offenses. It covers a range of behaviors that the law considers sexually...

Sexual battery is one of Utah's more commonly charged sex-related offenses — and also one of the most misunderstood. People often assume that...

Can a defendant raise a statute of limitations (SOL) violation on appeal? The short answer is yes — but generally only if the issue was timely...

When someone faces sentencing in Utah, they have the right to speak directly to the judge—a right called allocution. It gives a person the chance...

Enticing a minor is a serious offense under Utah law, often arising from situations where no physical contact ever occurs. Instead, it begins with...

In criminal court, every defendant has the right to a lawyer — but also the right to waive that lawyer and represent themselves. It's a serious...