February 29, 2024 – Utah Third District Court Judge Andrew H. Stone and Judge Richard D. McKelvie will be retiring from the bench in May and June respectively. The Third District Judicial Nominating Commission has announced six nominations to fill the two vacancies. Written comments can be submitted to the Nominating Commission until noon, March […]
Utah Appellate Rule Updates – 11 & 22
The Utah Supreme Court has approved certain revisions to Rule 11 and Rule 22 of the Utah Rules of Appellate Procedure. The amendments affect the inclusion of exhibits in the record on appeal, access to sealed portions of the record on appeal, and motions for extension of time. These amendments take effect May 1, 2024. […]
Summit County Jail, Utah
The Summit County Jail typically houses individuals who have been recently arrested, who are waiting for trial or resolution on a pending case, or who have been ordered to serve jail time as part of their sentence for a misdemeanor conviction or as a condition of probation on a felony conviction. Here are a few […]
Second District Court in Farmington, Utah
The Second District Court in Farmington, Utah is Davis County’s largest trial court and has general jurisdiction over a full range of criminal cases from misdemeanors to serious felonies. The courthouse for the District Court is located south of Station Park and is part of the complex that also houses the Second District Juvenile Court […]
Victim or “Alleged” Victim in Utah Criminal Cases?
Changing the words we use to describe a situation can affect what we think about that situation. Using the term “victim” versus “alleged victim” in Utah’s criminal courts can change how people view the presumption of innocence as it applies to a person accused of committing a crime. Utah Crime Victims Act & Victims’ Rights […]
Second District Court in Ogden, Utah
The Second District Court in Ogden, Utah is Weber County’s largest court. The district court has exclusive jurisdiction over felony and class A misdemeanor and handles a wide range of criminal cases from misdemeanors to serious felonies. The district court also handles de novo appeals from the Ogden City Justice Court. An Overview Location and Contact […]
What is the difference between a living will and a living trust?
Although the two terms are similar, they refer to very different estate planning tools. A living will allows a person to state end-of-life medical care preferences and to name a person who act on their behalf if they are no longer able to speak for themselves. A living will in Utah is normally included as […]
Criminal Defense in Washington County, Utah
Washington County is part of Utah’s Fifth Judicial District. St. George is the largest city in the county, and home to both the St. George District Court and the Washington County Justice Court. These two courts in St. George handle the majority of criminal cases in Washington County. City justice courts are also located in […]
Attorney Resources – Utah Criminal Defense
The resources and guides provided here are intended for use by criminal defense attorneys practicing in Utah’s district courts and justice courts, to broaden their knowledge base and improve legal strategy in Utah defense cases. These materials should be considered in context of relevant procedural rules, appellate case opinions, statutes, and constitutional protections – both […]
What is the difference between acquittal and a not guilty verdict?
Under Utah law, an “acquittal” and a “not guilty” verdict have essentially the same meaning. But neither of these terms is a declaration that the defendant is factually innocent. The criminal justice system relies on a presumption of innocence at trial, with the government prosecutor carrying the burden of proving each element of the offense. […]